Safest way to take a day off.

pj9999

I need a day off work next week (weekend away, flights booked ages ago). I put in for the holiday 5 weeks ago but it got rejected. Now I have managed to find someone who will do a swap with me, but the swap needs to be authorised by my company's automated scheduling system. And for one reason or another it looks like it isn't going to be authorised in time. I spoke to my manager, but he just asked me to email the scheduling team, which I have done (no response yet).

IMO I gave my company reasonable time that needed the day off, but they went ahead and scheduled me to work it anyway (ok the computer did). And though I've requested the swap it looks like it isn't going to be authorised in time.

Been with the company 3 months, and haven't had days off thus far. (Can be sacked instantly in first 6 months I think).

It's very important to me that I get this day off, and with the way things are looking I will probably end up phoning in sick. (not nice I know; in a normal company this'd have been avoided and the swap would have been authorised in time).

At this point I think a sickie is the safest option (it'd be unpaid anyway). If I tell my manager why I need the day off, they still might not authorise it, and it'd then look v bad if I took the day off sick. (It'll still look bad cos I've got the previous day off as authorised holiday anyway).

Phoning in sick would involve speaking to a machine. Only danger I guess is that the machine might register that I'm calling from abroad. Which'd look v bad I'd imagine.

Just wondering what the best way to play it is?

Mr. Presentable

Resign.

Obviously your job is not very important to you or you would have checked you could have the time off before you arranged your away time. This is a big problem with people currently - they think that because they work for you and you pay them they are somehow doing you a favour.

pj9999

Nipplenuts,

Thanks for your unhelpful comment.

I requested this holiday effectively 6 weeks in advance. The work schedules had not even been created, and the company could easily have put me on an alternative schedule if they had wished.

Notwithstanding the above, I have found someone to swap with on the day in question, but as I said, it looks like the company won't be able to authorise it on time.

My wife will go on the trip alone if I cannot go... I just feel that it's so sad that this may be necessary.

Hanley

You've requested a holiday on the date and also tried to swap shifts with someone for the same date. Presumably they'll have records for this?

It could be a bit risky being "sick" on the same day you've already tried to get off twice using other means. Just something to consider.

dsane1

what about say nothing and get the other guy/girl to turn up work your shift and you give them the pay for the day ? works in other places and the computer is happy

Wishbone Ash

pj9999 wrote: »

(Can be sacked instantly in first 6 months I think)

12 months (except in certain situations).

pj9999 wrote:

At this point I think a sickie is the safest option .....

..........Phoning in sick would involve speaking to a machine

Are you familiar with the regulations for taking a 'sick day' in your company?

Many employers, including my own, require staff who have taken a sick day to physically return to work before going on leave. Otherwise all the leave would be considered as sick leave. It's to prevent staff from doing exactly what you intend doing.

Similarly, one can't take a sick day on the day one is due back at work unless they physically present themselves at work and then go sick.

unreggd

nipplenuts wrote: »

they work for you and you pay them

What good is a company with no staff?

OP, what kind of job do you have?

Most places wont give time off as point of principal

You gave enough notice, the roster wasnt done, and you have a willing replacement, why shouldnt they

Did u give any reasons to be off when applyin at the start?

Say its a wedding or soemthing

Anything but pullin a sicky

Or maybe some Pseudocide, but then come back t work and say it was just gas

helimachoptor

Op you dont happen to work for a large Telco in sandyford do you....

Nody

pj9999 wrote: »

IMO I gave my company reasonable time that needed the day off, but they went ahead and scheduled me to work it anyway (ok the computer did).

You don't have any right to decide when you get holidays, it is up to the company to schedule your holidays taking into account notice period, social life etc.

Been with the company 3 months, and haven't had days off thus far.

Well duh wonder why a company don't want someone new to go on holidays while still in training (and yes you are in training even if you're taking calls, drawing plans etc.). Every company I worked with had a blank no holidays for 3 to 6 months for everyone who started.

It's very important to me that I get this day off, and with the way things are looking I will probably end up phoning in sick. (not nice I know; in a normal company this'd have been avoided and the swap would have been authorised in time).

Hi, I'm sick on the same day I previously asked for holidays on and said I wanted off and tried to swap a day for boss man, but I promise you I'm really really sick!

Phoning in sick would involve speaking to a machine. Only danger I guess is that the machine might register that I'm calling from abroad. Which'd look v bad I'd imagine.

Just wondering what the best way to play it is?

Well if I was the company my answer would be your holidays are canceled and I want to see you back in here day X. And yes seeing that it is an international phone number is quite easy if they manage their own PBX and I hope you don't plan to make a career in the company.

MIN2511

Personally i believe you have given them enough notice about this trip, take the day off. Call in sick! Your manager knows your situation and should be able to interfere on this occasion.

Wishbone Ash

Nody wrote: »

Well if I was the company my answer would be your holidays are canceled

Well then, you could find youself in breach of employment regulations. An employer is required to give an employee 4 weeks (?) notice if the intend to cancel an employee's holidays.

the_syco

pj9999 wrote:

It's very important to me that I get this day off, and with the way things are looking I will probably end up phoning in sick. (not nice I know; in a normal company this'd have been avoided and the swap would have been authorised in time).

Nody wrote:

Hi, I'm sick on the same day I previously asked for holidays on and said I wanted off and tried to swap a day for boss man, but I promise you I'm really really sick!

pj9999 wrote: »

I put in for the holiday 5 weeks ago but it got rejected.

Let me see: you tried to book holiday leave, got rejected, but decided to go on holidays anyway? Depending on the company, you pay get anything from a warning to a dismissal when you get back from your holiday. Have fun trying to screw your employer...

Sqaull20

I once rang in and the conversation went like this:

SQ: I can't come into today because I'm sick.
Boss: Well how sick are you, Chuckles?
SQ: Really sick. At the moment I'm in bed with my sister!



Ear infection - you can even turn up at work the following day with cotton wool in one of your ears for a convincing effect!

Tried and tested!

speedy2007

instead of just emailing scheduling and waiting for a reply, can you not go down to their desk and explain the situation in person?
i think calling in sick may be a bit risky as they know youve been trying to get the day off. If you go this route maybe try get a doctors cert so you have something to show that you were sick

watna

Exactly. Why can'y you talk to your manager and explain the situation. That you have something booked and couldn't get the holidays for it. You have someone to cover your shift but you can't schedule it on the computer due to time contraints and ask is this ok? I presume it's fine as I've someone to cover me..... not many managers would have a problem with that if they're any way human. Try the upfront approach.

You can call in sick and there's not much they can really do about it unless they prove you went away. They'll know what you did though and I can't imagine it would make you very popular. I might make things difficult later on.

You could try get a doctor's cert from your family GP and claim genuine sickness but I'm not sure that'll help.

rick_fantastic

if you are going to go down the im sick route. i would suggest going to the doctor on the tuesday and going sick for at least the three days before you want to go on holidays.

this way you have been sick for two days before your holiday and you have a doctors note to prove you were sick.

probably the safest solution if you value your job and still want to go on holidays!

mel123

If ur pulling a sickie, its always risky. Someone i once knew was going away - he had genuine leave - and the MD of the company was on the same plane, sitting in the row infront of him on the plane. These things do happen u know!!

Explain the situation, and say u have cover, say ur wife originally booked it as a suprise so it was out of ur control. Usually managers will accomodate you. But as other posters said, u already asked for this day off, so if u ring in sick its going to be obvious....but if u dont care just take it....and remember the risk of losing the job.

pj9999

Thanks for the replies.

Thankfully the scheduling computer has a human side after all. Will be in Germany for the weekend after all.

Wishbone Ash

rick_fantastic wrote: »

if you are going to go down the im sick route. i would suggest going to the doctor on the tuesday and going sick for at least the three days before you want to go on holidays.

this way you have been sick for two days before your holiday and you have a doctors note to prove you were sick.

probably the safest solution if you value your job and still want to go on holidays!

Most employers don't allow an employee to go on annual leave directly following sick leave.

rick_fantastic

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Most employers don't allow an employee to go on annual leave directly following sick leave.

yeah but if your "sick" on the day you were meant to take annual leave then your "sick" doesnt count as annual leave then.

IRISH RAIL

doesnt irish law say all the notice you have to give is twice the time off required
stuff them and head off anyone who cant process a holiday after 5 weeks is not worth working for

watna

pj9999 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Thankfully the scheduling computer has a human side after all. Will be in Germany for the weekend after all.

Great! Glad to hear you sorted it out. Machines have a heart after all!