should colleagues with kids get preference for holidays?

Nicki

MatyMoo wrote: »

or that it is OK to take a day off with minimal notice as a child is sick.

:eek::eek::eek:

what would you have a parent do when a child is sick then? It is rather frowned upon to leave them home alone or send them to school with something infectious or debilitating, and most childhood illnesses don't come with any warning.

**Patty**

Nope, there should be no difference.

Reasoning is that if employers are not allowed to take into account when employing someone, the fact that they have children & what any childcare arrangements are........then it should have no bearing when it's holiday time either.

Luella-14_2

I don't think priority should be given at all. Within my team the childless people do try to accommodate the needs of colleagues with children, but it's our choice to do so, it shouldn't be expected. This year I've booked 2 weeks off over Christmas, which annoyed one colleague in particular. However, I have family abroad (australia) and for the first time in 5 years I'd like to spend the festive period with them. I've worked the days between Christmas and new years for the last 4 years, those with families haven't worked it once.
I don't necessarily agree to the first come first served rule though. One guy tried to book out the next 3 years school holidays. That's not fair to anyone else.

arbroath_lass

Everyone should be treated the same. Priority for those with children? Why? The parents chose to have them.

That said I do generally take my holidays in term time but if I wanted a school holiday I'd have no hesitation in booking it AND fighting for my right to take it then, if necessary.

bestpud

It should be about give and take.

I definitely don't think parents should be given priority.

Employers risk a resentful and divided workforce if they don't make it fair imo.

It's hardly ever an issue in my job because we all tend to help each other out when we can.

I do think it's mean to ask parents of young children to work overnight on Christmas eve and I always say I don't want that shift. I have worked Christmas afternoon though as well as boxing day and Christmas eve. Plus I usually do new years day as I don't celebrate new years eve. When my child is older I will happily work Christmas eve so a parent of a younger child can be at home.

It's a shame when people cant work it out among themselves but it should be fair if they can't.

onlyroz

ognum wrote: »

I totally disagree that people with children should have any perks that those without children don't have.

You call it a "perk" to be forced to take your holiday in the peak, expensive, over-hot season?

onlyroz

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Because they are teachers? Or partners of teachers? Or relatives of school children?

:rotfl: Name me one school that lets teachers go on holiday during term time?

balletshoes

F_Bear wrote: »

its time at work to put in our holidays for next year. work in a disciplined service with minimum staffing levels so only so many people can be off at one time.

braoched the subject of how will the line manager decide if 2+ people want the same time off and some one said people with kids should have preference for holidays.

what do people think?

ive no kids but think names should be drawn out a hat, its the only fair way.

I have a child, struggle to cover childcare in the holidays etc, but I agree with you - names in a hat is the fair way for everyone. I don't agree with preferences for people with kids, other caring responsibilities, or seniority come to that.

Fire_Fox

hieveryone wrote: »

I agree, those with children should be given first priority. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but schools in some regions really hammer people for taking children out of school, so the option is get wrists slapped by the LA or not have a holiday.

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!

There are plenty of non school weeks in a year so plenty of opportunities for parents and children to holiday together without taking time off school. Nobody is forced to breed, few parents are forced to take a foreign holiday in the summer months, few need to take two or three consecutive weeks every year either. The choice is not often between a summer holiday or taking the child out of school, it's between a summer or an Easter or half term vacation.

Whoever puts their request in first should get priority, often parents are more organised anyway! If everyone puts their name forward at the same time names should be drawn or arrangements made between the staff. Plenty of child free people have legitimate reasons for wanting time off at particular times of year, they might want to attend festivals or weddings, have friends or relatives that can only take decent vacations in the summer (such as people working in education!) or have a particular holiday experience in mind.

Not even special treatment around Christmas, not being able to take days off then can easily mean people who cannot drive (plenty of the child free, especially youngsters) are unable to spend the holidays with their loved ones at all. As long as a parent can spend Xmas day with their child then they don't need to see aunts or grandparents any more or less than anyone who doesn't have children.

I had two weddings this year at potentially desirable holiday times - my sibling and my best friend - I'd have been devastated to miss either simply because I happen to have chosen to remain child free. And last time I had a foreign holiday it was in the summer, I flew out to meet my parents in South America so that we could experience a particular part of their trip together.

If we want equality in the workplace then we want equality we can't pick and choose when it is applied, employers are not permitted to be sexist or sack women for being pregnant but then parents get to cherry pick annual leave. Having said that if a child is sick I would usually be happy for a parent to get priority, that cannot be planned for or changed. Ditto for specific school events that the parent has no say over like plays.

hardpressed

I think the fairest way is for each person in turn to pick a week, when everyone's had their first pick go round again. When I was at work we consulted each other before we booked our holiday then a new person started and she cam in one morning and without talking to anyone about it booked all her year's holiday and refused to change and of the dates althought she hadn't booked to go away, Most unfair. I don't see why people with children should have first choice, they knew when they had children that sacrifices would have to be made.