Fun Vs Work

done4now · 06-02-2011 10:46pm #1

At the moment I am unemployed but "all signs are still very positive" about me getting a job with a multinational company. If I do get this job I have to do 3 months training and then start working on real projects. I know the job gives 20 days holidays with the option of buy and selling holidays.

Here is the problem me and my friends are thinking about going interrailing 3 months after that job starts for a month. Its something I really want to do but what I am wondering how bad would it be for me to take my 20days all in one go and right after completing the training? Or if I dont get that job, how bad would it be for me to take a month holidays in one go just after starting?

tenchi-fan · 06-02-2011 11:17pm

You won't be able to take a month's holidays all in one go.

Holidays are accrued. When you work a month, you can take 1.5 day's holidays. After a year you will have accrued 20 days holidays.

Of course most companies will give some flexibility. But they also need to take into account the work-life balance. It is not in their interests to allow someone a full month off, only to end up hating their job because they have no more holidays for a full year. Not to mention I'm sure other employees will want holidays off at the same time as you. And what good is 3 months training if you're going to forget it all after 4 weeks off.

I think your idea is pretty daft to be honest. I doubt any employer will agree to it.

highgiant1985 · 06-02-2011 11:46pm

tenchi-fan wrote: »

You won't be able to take a month's holidays all in one go.

Holidays are accrued. When you work a month, you can take 1.5 day's holidays. After a year you will have accrued 20 days holidays.

Of course most companies will give some flexibility. But they also need to take into account the work-life balance. It is not in their interests to allow someone a full month off, only to end up hating their job because they have no more holidays for a full year. Not to mention I'm sure other employees will want holidays off at the same time as you. And what good is 3 months training if you're going to forget it all after 4 weeks off.

I think your idea is pretty daft to be honest. I doubt any employer will agree to it.

yeah from the ER point of view you are new so a risk if then take you on then you take the 20 days holidays early in that employment you could just not turn up next month ER out of pocket as already advance you first yrs holidays.

your only chance would be to contact the ER in advance of them hiring you to see if they would give you this time off (possibly they may consider giving it to you unpaid), they could consider giving you the leave as paid leave but TBH highly unlikely. Risk here is ER may decide someone else is a better prospect to hire than you.

done4now · 07-02-2011 12:58am

Thanks, I am clueless with regards to holidays with big companies due to only have worked PT/Summer were I was just able to take leave when ever I wanted.

Do you think I would be able to take a week off then or would that be stupid as well?

tenchi-fan · 07-02-2011 1:27am

done4now wrote: »

Thanks, I am clueless with regards to holidays with big companies due to only have worked PT/Summer were I was just able to take leave when ever I wanted.

Do you think I would be able to take a week off then or would that be stupid as well?

It would be more reasonable.. but think about it, they train you for 3 months, then when you're about to be thrown in at the deep end, they have extra supervisors (or buddies) at hand, and you disappear for a week.

Wait til you're offered the job, and then ask for time off.

Do NOT bring it up at the interview!

pollypocket10 · 07-02-2011 10:48am

There is a very strong possibility that the offer would be withdrawn or you could be let go if you decide to take this time off. I would discuss it with the employer if and when you get to offer stage. Tell them you would love to accept but you have a trip planned.

Decide in advance if you are willing to give up the trip or not and be prepared for the consequences if not.

They may not appreciate the fact that you've wasted their time up to now but will respect your honesty. No point burning your bridges, even if it doesn't work out this time you may get an opportunity again down the line

looksee · 07-02-2011 11:03am

Forget the trip, get on with the job.

jelly&icecream · 07-02-2011 11:51am

You might be better taking a week or two of holidays and joining you friends for part of the trip? Taking a month off at that stage in a new job would be taking the piss a little I think.

done4now · 07-02-2011 1:45pm

I agree, that I would probably be bad for me to take time off straight after completing training. But this is something I REALLY want to do, I am kicking myself I didnt do it two years ago when I was doing nothing for the summer.

So you are saying that even taking a week off would be out of the question?

bikermartin · 07-02-2011 8:34pm

if i were you i would not look for time off this early in play. you will be on probation at the time.and its very much an employers market at the moment. There will be other times for trips in my opinion.

looksee · 07-02-2011 8:48pm

Look, I know it sounds patronising, but you are in the real world now. Previously if you took time off from school or college there might be a few waves but provided you caught up it was your business. Now you are being paid to be there and you need to forget holidays for a while and just get on with the job.

The 'what can I get away with' attitude is a bit self-indulgent and won't help you in your working life. And has been pointed out, you will not be entitled to holidays for a while anyway, you really very likely don't have a choice and it would not do you any good to ask.

Sorry, high horse and all that, but you have to be realistic if you want the job.

running_away · 08-02-2011 9:31am

Hey done 4 now,

Going slightly against the grain here but if you really want to go on the trip go for it! If its something you're going to regret not doing I reckon you should fire ahead. I take it you're young enough? There'll be plenty of time for work and even more time 6 feet under so may as well make the most of your life.

IMO if you have faith in your ability to find another job its a risk worth taking.

.... sits back and awaits abuse...

(BTW if you end up jobless and penniless when you come back i can't help you out)

08-02-2011 9:33am

OP why don't you take the interrailing trip next year, that way you'll have done your time, built up credibility and saved some extra money for your trip too.
The opportunity wont disappear forever just cos you didnt take it this summer

RoisinDove · 08-02-2011 9:34am

Don't mean to be rude, but get your priorities straight. The days where you could pick and choose jobs and go off travelling and come back are long gone. Why don't you wait and earn your holidays? I think if you even suggested that to an employer, you'd be laughed out of the place. I wouldn't even have done that in 2006.

done4now · 08-02-2011 2:04pm

The reason I would want to do it this summer would be because this is the only time my friends would be free, so by next year they would have already done it and wouldnt be up for it. Also these are my only friends who have the same understanding as me for the word 'holidays' as my other friends tried to convince me to go Costa del Sol and I would rather shoot myself in the foot then go to a resort.

Yeah, there is no way I would turn down this job as its not just excellent experience but the training is brilliant.

I understand what you (looksee) are saying but its not a nice pill to swallow. But its why I asked on here before actually asking a potential employer.

I guess I can either to two things, try and find other friends who would be for doing it next year or take a Friday and a Monday off twice in a month and fly over to meet with them but thats not exactly plausible.

Fun Vs Work

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