Getting my own cover to take annual leave

C

Colby

Registered User
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Hi
I work for a small company on shift rota of early/lates, if I want to take time off Managment insist I can only do this irregardless of reason why if I arrange cover in advance with another employee, obviously no one likes working the late shift (most definitely not on Friday) so any request I put in for annual leave be it one day or two weeks is turned down if I cannot prove that someone else is willing to cover, even if the time off is 12 months away!!!
Is this legal or if not can anyone tell me what rules it is breaking as I have had two requests for family holiday time turned down since 1st Jan
Its not that everyone is unreasonable and does not provide any cover but it may not be possible for them to cover a whole week or similar as it may mean they would be working almost double days
Tks
 
No expert advice here I'm afraid but I'm sure they can't get away with that.
 
Don't know about the legalities but it certainly doesn't sound very reasonable. I have always worked in small companies (10-25 or so employees) and the practice for holidays was 'first to put their names down'.

If this involved cover being required then people were nominated - in turn. There was no discussion about it.

If someone wanted to book dates that clashed with a close associate then hard luck - they can't go.

Sounds like your boss or HR person is simply washing their hands of the whole thing.
 
Doesn't sound right to me. If you are giving good notice it would seem only fair that the company accomodates you. I dont see why its up to you to find cover for your own absence. Thats what management should be doing. I dont think you are being treated fairly.
 
I wasnt having a go at the others in the Company, more the fact that it is upto me to ask and organise the cover, some people are very obliging but there will be times where they say no for various reasons but just if I personally cant organise the cover well then I cant have the day off, I think it should be a management responsibility to do that however they seem fit just wondering am I legally right or is that just just what usually happens?
It seems so unreasonable to me that if there is one day I cant get cover for it may mean I miss out on a weeks holiday
 
See:
[broken link removed]
And the document called "Holidays and Public Holidays" at the bottom.

Page 10:
Who decides when holidays should be taken?
The employer decides when holidays are to be taken having regard to
work requirements and subject to his/her taking into account the need
for the employee to reconcile work and any family responsibilities and the
opportunities for rest and recreation available to the employee. The
employer must consult with the employee or his/her trade union at least
one month before the holidays are due to commence.

page 11:
Must an employee take an unbroken 2 week’s holidays?
Following 8 months work, the employee is entitled to an unbroken period
of 2 weeks which may include one or more public holidays. An
employment regulation order, registered employment agreement,
collective agreement or any other agreement between the employer and
employee may stipulate an arrangement which varies this provision.

I'd ring NERA. it's management's problem to find a replacement for you. Is this company as dodgy with other employment laws? Do you have written Terms of Employment?
 
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