Holiday declined

Bibbitybobbity101

Hello I booked a holiday for the end of 2026, I put my request in last year and it’s been sat in pending for months, our contract states that holidays should be approved/declined no later than 2 weeks after the request was made. When it was declined no reason or anything was given. The holiday has now been paid for and the request was submitted about 9 months ago. Am I unreasonable for challenging this? They are trying to argue it’s for the needs of the business, but it feels really unfair that’s it’s been sat pending for months only for it to be declined now. Can I challenge this and go to my union for help? I’ve been more than flexible in saying I will work my contract/ extra hours, take it off as unpaid leave as well! It’s for 4 days.. any advice please?? I did try and book it a year in advance but I was told I couldn’t book holiday further on until the renewal in April, I later found out that this wasn’t true that’s why I only booked it about 9 months in advance.

la531983

Did you not chase up why it was still sat there with no decision made?

Slinky

Four days! Wow. I'd ask them to reconsider on the basis that if the business cannot survive without you for 4 days given months and months notice, there's something seriously amiss with their setup. What if you got hit by a bus and never came back? Madness.

I'd be looking for another job in the meantime, but that's just me.

Ayr_Rage

As above, why didn't you chase it up after hearing nothing for more than 2 weeks?

You'll have to plead your case with your employer and hope they can reconsider.

I worked for an employer where numbers and qualifications had to be balanced correctly and would never have dreamt of booking a holiday until my leave period was confirmed.

You may just have to suck up a change fee and take the holiday on different dates.

Undervalued

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6652771/holiday-declined

I understand your frustration but your only possible recourse (legally) is if they didn't follow the firms laid down procedure (if indeed it was a contractual right).

Otherwise holiday can only be taken when the employer agrees (or insists). Even holiday that has been agreed can be cancelled by the employer just by giving fairly minimal notice. If that happens you may have a claim for your losses.

Committing yourself to holiday costs without the specific agreement of your employer to the dates was unwise to say the least. Did you not at least regularly chase for an answer?

Altior

You can't reasonably expect to get leave approved over a year ahead of time (in my opinion). Likely budgets won't be established or the specific needs of the department/organisation reasonably known.

Extreme example, but you couldn't expect to get leave requested for 2028 within the next two weeks approved.

You'll know yourself that it's inadvisable to book a holiday before leave has been approved.

It's a little unusual that they haven't been able to approve it, but nobody here knows how the organisation operates, if the period you've requested is not usually available for leave etc.

saajan_12

Hello I booked a holiday for the end of 2026, I put my request in last year and it’s been sat in pending for months, our contract states that holidays should be approved/declined no later than 2 weeks after the request was made. …

The holiday has now been paid for and the request was submitted about 9 months ago.




Two things you could have done to avoid this:

1. Chase after the 2 weeks of no response
2. Not pay for the holiday on dates you knew were not approved (yet).

Now when does your holiday year renew, and how long do you have left? They do need to enable you to take holiday at some point so if they can't allow these days, ask when they can accommodate.

LightFlare

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6652771/holiday-declined

I'm confused

Are you saying that you booked annual leave for end 2026 in April 2025 ?

Markdavid1962

Agree with the comments above, but I have submitted leave a year ahead and had it approved . I think its a company issue here, Dont understand it being declined based on needs of the business with so much notice and its only 4 days, they should be able to plan ahead. Maybe more going on here. Do you get on with your manager?

I think as someone else has suggested look for another job. With so much time to go before the holiday who knows you could be off work, sick at this time !!! (I wouldnt suggest going off sick for 4 days)

sheramber

What is the end of the year?

Does it include a busy time, such as the run up to Christmas or over Christmas / New Year, or a stock taking time?

Slinky

I can understand the need to book a long time ahead. Where we go every second year; it's a popular villa on a small island. We book 2 years ahead at the end of each holiday, otherwise there would be no chance of getting it.