Summer holidays from work - advice please

mumlady1

Hi everyone
just looking for a bit of constructive advice on how to deal with this slight problem.
My son works part time at a largish company but they only have 2 staff working at any given time in his store.
He has just asked if he can have 1 weeks holiday in the summer (he is only contracted for 16 hours per week) but has been told that he can't have any time off at all as the 3 store managers have already booked all the summer weeks from June through to the end of August. He will, in addition, have to work extra hours to cover the managers' absence (which is is perfectly happy to do)
My son is at university & doesn't get any time off at Easter or else he would go then. His girlfriend has exams to sit & won't finish until June so there's no other time they can go.
He won't lie & take the time off sick as he's not the type to do that & I can only applaud his honesty.
I do understand that he is only working part time & maybe doesn't have the same 'rights' as the full time managers & my son is very aware that you can't always get what you want but does anyone have any thoughts on how best to deal with this?

cr1mson

My obvious thought is what about September? A lot of unis don't go back until late September/early October and holidays will no doubt be cheaper then anyway!

Torry_Quine

As long as he gets his holiday entitlement he can be told exactly when to take his holidays. His rights are no different being part time.

GothicStirling

Unfortunately it's the same situation for the rest of us, holidays are on a first come, first served basis. I work for English Heritage in the summer and we aren't allowed to take holidays at all July-August.

I'm a bit surprised that your son isn't getting any break from university from Jan/Feb all the way to June though. My university started back early Feb, but we still had a week off in April, just that it wasn't at Easter (still had the BH off though.)

paddedjohn

Your Sons rights are exactly the same as any other employee, he is entitled to a minimum of 5.6 week paid leave which can include the bank holidays, but, his employer can dictate when he takes them if they so wish as long as he has the oppertunity to take them within the leave year.As pointed out earlier a lot of students don't start back until mid-late September so is it not possible for them to get away then? It would be cheaper too after the summer holidays.

claire16c

mumlady1 wrote: »

but has been told that he can't have any time off at all as the 3 store managers have already booked all the summer weeks from June through to the end of August.

June to August is about 13 weeks, unless the 3 managers are all off one after the other for 4 weeks in a row which seems very unlikely how can they possibly be off over the entire summer?

Id probably look for another job. Although they can do this, not letting him have 1 week off in the summer is ridiculous.

For now why doesnt your son book off the first or second week in September? Holidays are often a bit cheaper then too.

Does your son really not have any time off before June - no easter break or reading weeks?

mumlady1

Hi everyone
Thanks for the replies. In answer, no, he absolutely doesn't have any time off before he finishes in May.
The managers and one other member of staff have indeed booked back to back holidays lasting between 2 & 3 weeks, lasting right through the summer & into September! I too suggested September to him but when I saw the holiday rota for myself, I could see there are only about 3 days left just before my son & his girlfriend are back at uni.
Very disappointing but I guess that's life. Thanks again for your replies :-)

Savvy_Sue

I don't quite get the maths here.

There are 3 store managers.

Only two people work at a time.

3 plus 1 makes 4.

Unless there are two managers off at a time, why can't he have any time off?

I might see if HR have any suggestions to make ...

Southend1

Is there any way to reach a negotiated solution. E.g. Ask someone else to cover for your son, swop shifts, etc? What would happen if someone was off sick and someone was on holiday? If he's a union member his shop steward may know of other staff who have negotiated time off under similar circumstances.

getmore4less

It's part time during the holidays just start later or finish earlier if he want time off.