Getting annoyed with lack of holidays?

1irishninja

I've been in my job 18 months now, I've stuck this thus far but at the moment its really starting to annoy me, I'd find another job but it seems I'll just encounter another issue in another job so whats the point of moving?

I am aware 28 days minimum, This year I have got 2 days at Easter, 1 day at May day, just had 1 week for summer and will probably get 1 week for Christmas (If I am very lucky) that works out at what, 13 days for an entire year.

Our contract states certain days which are set the rest to book at the companies discretion, you get the set holidays, damn all else. its a small company run by 2 brothers and has 5 employees, the problem is it can't cope with 5 so if someone takes of it really goes tits up so when you ask to book off 101 questions are asked, you might get the OK if you have booked to go somewhere, but they pay min wage and know on min wage no one can afford to go anywhere. Sitting at home is not seen as a valid reason and you get the old "Ah we're to busy at the moment" yet they take 2 or 3 foreign holidays per year.

You should not need any reason to book off, I am only there 18 months, but other employees have holidays carried over from 3-4 years ago and it doesn't really seem to bother them, they are used to it. They let them run so long then get paid in cash for unused holidays.

I left my last job due to them breaking the work time regulations, I was working over 50 hours per week, it seems although there are various laws companies break them and there is damn all you can do.

I am back on Monday and find it all very depressing to be honest.

Any advice?

tomtontom

Remind then that you are entitled to take the 28 days within the holiday year, and ask to sit down with them and work out when it is best for you to take them.

1irishninja

I did that last year, I pointed out about my contract and it says 28 days holidays and that they must be used before the end of the year, "Its only a piece of paper" I was told. I said I wanted to take them "What for are you going somewhere?" I was told I said no but that I wanted to take them "Ah we're a bit busy at the moment I will get back to you" he never got back to me, I asked him again a few weeks later he ignored me.

That's what you're up against. Push anymore and I will probably be out the door. Its not fair but I can do damn all.

gettingtheresometime

If you're not happy there then move.

I could well imagine that sometimes it would be nice to carry holidays over from one year to the next (or even paid for them!)

1irishninja

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

If you're not happy there then move.

I could well imagine that sometimes it would be nice to carry holidays over from one year to the next (or even paid for them!)

So you think I am in the wrong looking something I am entitled to?

agrinnall

1irishninja wrote: »

So you think I am in the wrong looking something I am entitled to?

You're not wrong, but from what you tell us it seems unlikely that your employer will change, so getting a job somewhere that does respect the law is probably a better use of your time.

1irishninja

agrinnall wrote: »

You're not wrong, but from what you tell us it seems unlikely that your employer will change, so getting a job somewhere that does respect the law is probably a better use of your time.

Yeah true, I'm just fed up dealing with this crap and running of somewhere else and into another problem,

Previous job had me working 50+ hours per week, I stated the work time directive wasn't interested. Before that had an issue with TUPE and that involved taking the employer to court, employer before that messed around with holiday pay. See where I am coming from?

Am I just unlucky or is this part and parcel with low paid work? I say low paid, it wasn't always low paid, I earned more pre 2007 before the migrants all arrived and funny enough never had any such issues like the above mentioned before that either. Thats not a dig at migrant workers either, its a dig at employers taking liberties with an oversupply of workers to pick from.

gettingtheresometime

Are they paying you for the hours you work?

This, for me would make all the difference. I used to work for a company where I worked, regularly, at least 4 hours a week which was unpaid. I finally cracked and left, and I told them (politely) why I was leaving.

However if I had been paid for those hours then that would have softened the situation and I may not have left.

As for the holiday situation no I don't think you're wrong to expect to take your holidays regardless of whether you're on a jaunt somewhere or just sitting on your settee naval glazing but I'm saying that there are some situations when I would have preferred to carry over holiday (than just taking them so that I don't lose them) or even have been paid for them

dawyldthing

Just say you've got family to visit. You shouldn't have to justify why you want annual leave anyway

duchy

It's not any of their business but yes you are going away at various times to visit family/go away with friends etc . It's not your fault your co-workers don't have the same oportunities.

Barneysmom

Our contract states certain days which are set the rest to book at the companies discretion, you get the set holidays, damn all else. its a small company run by 2 brothers and has 5 employees, the problem is it can't cope with 5 so if someone takes of it really goes tits up so when you ask to book off 101 questions are asked, you might get the OK if you have booked to go somewhere, but they pay min wage and know on min wage no one can afford to go anywhere. Sitting at home is not seen as a valid reason and you get the old "Ah we're to busy at the moment" yet they take 2 or 3 foreign holidays per year.




Sorry, I had to copy/paste that bit because What??!!
101 questions to which you should reply 'none of your business'


This is what you do.
You say you are taking a week off in a month's time, you're giving them four week's notice so that they have ample time to cover your absence, this is fair and reasonable.


If you want just one day, give them a week's notice.


If you're fair, they can't argue, where you go and what you do with your time off is none of their concern. Don't be bullied at work.