should colleagues with kids get preference for holidays?

Sambucus_Nigra

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

It's all very well saying "first come first served" but that results in a bit of a bun-fight where I work - the minute they can, literally on arrival at work after January 1st, people are booking days off around the following Christmas. It's a bit rotten if you're scheduled on the 9:30am start that day and your colleague starts at 8:30am.

Back in the spring, I foolishly agreed that I wouldn't take extended holiday this year and instead would allow a colleague to take the full festive fortnight so that she could go 'home' (abroad). Due to her circumstances changing, she no longer wishes to go home - but she is refusing to relinquish the a/leave now that it is booked.

That's why if dates clash you take turns in priority. It really isn't rocket science.

miduck

aliasojo wrote: »

There will never be a perfect system that fits all situations.

All people can do (imo) is to be as understanding and considerate to others as possible, rather than only ever taking a hardline stance about their 'rights' to holiday when they want (rather than need to).

Clearly there will be situations that it's not possible to consider alternative times.

So it's not a "no brainer"?

[Deleted User]

thorsoak wrote: »

Why would anyone who does not have children want to take their holidays during school holiday times when prices reach their zenith? Most parents would prefer not to - but childens' education needs must come first!

Because they work in a school, their partner/friend (that they plan on holidaying with) works in a school, they're a school nurse, support staff etc

Fosterdog

thorsoak wrote: »

Why would anyone who does not have children want to take their holidays during school holiday times when prices reach their zenith? Most parents would prefer not to - but childens' education needs must come first!

Why do you assume that booking time off from work (holidays) means actually going away and costing money?

I haven't been away for quite a few years other than travelling around the UK staying with family and friends so it doesn't cost me any more whether I travel during school holidays or not. But I do have a lot of family and friends scattered all around the country and a lot of them have children and families so I would want to travel to see them at a time that their children are also at home.

A few times I've gone to my cousin's during school holidays to be her live in childcare for a week during summer hols because she can't take the full six weeks off.

I also have family and friends come to mine for a break and if they are bringing children it will be in school hols and I like to take the week off to spend with them.

Just because I don't have my own children doesn't mean that I don't still need school holidays off.

dingdongavoncalling

Silaqui wrote: »

Sorry to pick on you two, but you were the first replies of this nature - I know there have been others.

I completely disagree with this. My husband and I have no children, and do not particularly want them. I'm a teacher, so can only have school holidays off.

A few years ago, we wanted to go and visit my grandma who lived in Germany, as she had deteriorating health and she hadn't seen us since we had got engaged. We decided to try and go during the May half term, and as it was October at the time, we thought it would be fine for OH to book this week off as holiday.

He was the first person to ask for that week as leave, but was told that they wouldn't be able to grant it to him yet because "plenty of people with kids work here and they will need the half term off". He argued that they presumably know that they have kids, and so should have got holidays booked in as soon as the dates because available (like he was doing) and was fobbed off with more excuses and basically told that he could only take holiday in term time to leave the holidays free for the parents. By this company's logic, my husband and I would never be able have time off together, as I am not allowed to take time off in term time.

Still makes my blood boil thinking about it now!

I'm in the same situation as you

aliasojo

miduck wrote: »

So it's not a "no brainer"?

It is if there is no specific need. It was a short comment to cover a general type of situation.

If I had known I was going to be pulled up for my opinion I would have been much more specific.

As it is I can't be bothered, so I'll leave you to your thoughts.

Spendless

I've only ever worked places where it is 1st come and 1st served and agree with this method, but I've never worked anywhere where the full year's AL has to be in by a certain date.

I provide temp hol cover for a firm, so their starting point is to ask me I've I'm available.:rotfl:

hieveryone

Silaqui wrote: »

Sorry to pick on you two, but you were the first replies of this nature - I know there have been others.

I completely disagree with this. My husband and I have no children, and do not particularly want them. I'm a teacher, so can only have school holidays off.

A few years ago, we wanted to go and visit my grandma who lived in Germany, as she had deteriorating health and she hadn't seen us since we had got engaged. We decided to try and go during the May half term, and as it was October at the time, we thought it would be fine for OH to book this week off as holiday.

He was the first person to ask for that week as leave, but was told that they wouldn't be able to grant it to him yet because "plenty of people with kids work here and they will need the half term off". He argued that they presumably know that they have kids, and so should have got holidays booked in as soon as the dates because available (like he was doing) and was fobbed off with more excuses and basically told that he could only take holiday in term time to leave the holidays free for the parents. By this company's logic, my husband and I would never be able have time off together, as I am not allowed to take time off in term time.

Still makes my blood boil thinking about it now!

I can see why it would make you mad!

I think it depends on the industry to be honest. My OH is an engineer and quite 'pally' with all the other guys. They all phone each other up to swap shifts/on call duties and when a kindness is paid to someone, it is an unspoken guarantee that they will be called upon for a favour next time!

Nicki

I don't think parents of school age children (or those who have partners who work in schools) should be given first refusal of ever single school holiday period.

However, I do think it would be fair enough for an employer to differentiate between the traditional school holiday period and the out of season holiday period, and dictate that no employee can have more than one block of time per year in the school holiday period, unless all their colleagues agree. That would enable most parents or those with a need or wish to take time during school holidays to have a holiday without having to remove their children from school during term time, as there are 13 weeks of school holiday in a year, so even if people want a fortnight in a small team this should be able to be accomodated, and in a larger team, it is usually less of a problem to have more than one person away at the same time.

MatyMoo

thorsoak wrote: »

Why would anyone who does not have children want to take their holidays during school holiday times when prices reach their zenith? Most parents would prefer not to - but childens' education needs must come first!

Not all of us have children but we do have families!

Not all of us want to go away on an expensive holiday but we do want to spend time with family.

I get a bit fed up of people with children thinking they should have first dibs on time off during school holidays or that it is OK to take a day off with minimal notice as a child is sick.

I was in my 40's before I managed to get the time off between Christmas and New Year

Sorry, but this one hits a nerve :rotfl: