Booking holiday before starting new job

spanielson

I start a new job in two weeks, I’ve just had the opportunity to book a big holiday for October, I’m wondering whether to book and how/when to ask/tell my new employer about taking the time off

beckysheffield

What will you do if they say no?

DCFC79

You would be better of asking them which week or weeks are free for you book a holiday.

paddedjohn

Book it now and risk being refused the time off, not a gamble I would take.

TELLIT01

You'll be taking a massive risk if this wasn't mentioned at interview. It's one thing to have holiday already booked and another entirely to book it after the job offer is made. Is it possible to contact the employer and ask if the dates are OK? I wouldn't book and assume the dates will be acceptable.

TBagpuss

I'd ask. They don't have to approve a request so if you just go ahead and book, you might be fine, but you would have no come back if they said 'sorry,, can't be done'

Where I work, we would try to accommodate you if we could, but if other staff members already had time booked off then we might have to say no. Does the time include your local area's school half term? If so, that ups the likelihood that others have already booked the same time.

shortcrust

Just give them a call and ask?

I've never worked anywhere where it would be a problem for a new starter to take a prebooked holiday.

Doshwaster

shortcrust wrote: »

Just give them a call and ask?

I've never worked anywhere where it would be a problem for a new starter to take a prebooked holiday.

There is a bit of a difference between one which is prebooked and declared at the time of interview and one which is booked after the job offer is made. I suspect most employers wouldn't be happy with someone taking time off within their first few weeks as there is always the danger that they won't come back to work but will expect to get holiday pay. In most new jobs you have to build up holiday entitlement before you can take it.

spanielson

Thanks everyone for your input!

I emailed via HR who had my new manager authorise it, just need to formally book it in once I start. It’s not for 3 months so hopefully doesn’t reflect too badly!

TELLIT01

I don't think it will reflect badly at all. You had the decency to speak to them first rather than turning up and saying "By the way I'll be on holiday from ..."

Doshwaster

TELLIT01 wrote: »

I don't think it will reflect badly at all. You had the decency to speak to them first rather than turning up and saying "By the way I'll be on holiday from ..."

Funnily enough we had a summer student who started yesterday who pulled that line.