Having a Rant!

[eash]

I booked to take annual leave tomorrow as I have an interview (obviously didn't tell my boss that bit) but was only allowed it if I could get another colleague to cover me which I did. However, she has called in sick today so I'm now in limbo about what to do tomorrow. She said she would call later to let me know how she feels and I know she can't help it but I feel like I am in a prison and am never able to leave as it all depends if I can get cover. I mean what would they do if I got sick as I can't arrange cover if that happened. They seem to take advantage of me and I've really got the hump. Wish I'd never asked for annual leave tomorrow now and just called in sick myself, wonder how they would cope? It's a bit late to do that now though as I already requested it as annual leave...
Aaaragh!
Sorry to rant, just had to get it off my chest!

[funnygirl]

Eash, I would still take the day off sick!!!!!

Say you ate something dodgy!

[dothawkes31]

Unless your company has specifically told you to cancel the annual leave by the end of today, take the leave, it is their job to find cover in this situation once they have okayed it and you have met your obligation to swap shifts.

[mollykins]

Isn't it a right to have annual leave?

[4getmenot]

say you caught what your collegue has

[craft1948]

Molly you do have a right to an amount of annual leave......you do not have a right to take it if and when it may be detrimental to your employer.

[merciasounds]

I would take your day off, you did your bit - you can say that it's too late to change your plans now, and too many parties would be inconvenienced if you did - they (your current bosses) don't HAVE to know what you're doing - besides which, you may just get the job (fingers crossed for you!) and then you can tell them bye bye for good!! Good Luck for tomorrow

[cherrychapstick]

you did what they asked and got your shift covered , it is now up to your employer to find someone to cover if the other party is not well enough to do it ,if they tell you that you can't have the day off then you have to stand up to them and tell them that you have made plans for tomorrow and you cannot work, they cannot sack you for it !,people make dentists appointments and doctor appointments for when they are off so have your day off and good luck with the interview

[yellownana]

Same thing happens to me. I can only have the day off if my colleague covers me (Which is usually never as she has her own commitments).. Otherwise they have to get a security guard in (I work on reception)

Other day she couldn't cover and so i was asked to cancel my day off.. I think not!!!

It's annoying and i just wish they'd have something in place in case we were both off.. Its not a lot to ask is it???

[craft1948]

I find it totally amazing that every poster has taken eash's side in this situation. I do genuinely sympathise with eash's dilemma but what you are advocating could actually lead to her losing her current job.
Her employer has stated she can only have leave if she gets cover, so the call in sick routine won't work as they'll know it's not true.
If she does take leave and the other girl is still off sick I'm sure she'll have to tell the employer that she had advised eash that she wouldn't be able to cover for her, thereby dropping eash in it anyway.
It's an employer's market at the moment so I'd think very carefully about what you intend to do.

[cherrychapstick]

you are right in a way craft but if you make an appointment for a day that you have took off (which eash did get covered) its only now the other party has herself phoned in sick ,then she has a right to go to that appointment and she cannot lose her job over it as again eash got it covered

[hc4361]

Phone the potential new employer and ask to reschedule the interview because work commitments prevent you attending tomorrow.
They should be impressed by your loyalty to your employer.

[eash]

That's exactly what I think yellownana. It's one day! The company's not going to go to pot just because I want one day off! Grrr!
Thanks for all your replies, there does seem to be a lot of sickness and diarehha (sp) going around the company at the mo.... ;-)

[merciasounds]

Yes craft, BUT She did as she was asked, she got cover. I mean god forbid but if she fell down and broke her leg they'd have to cope - by the time eash found out about her cover going sick her arrangements had been made - as far as her employer is concerned eash could have a scan booked, or be taking a flight, anything in fact that would cost too much to cancel i would bluff it out and say that yes, i'll cancel, as long as you pay the cancellation fee of - £X amount.

[craft1948]

As far as I am aware employers must let you have time off for hospital appontments etc. but are quite entitled to refuse a random day's holiday (extremely annoying as this may be). When I was a manager I had to often refuse such requests as they were not conducive to the smooth running of the department.......and no I didn't enjoy doing that, but then I wasn't paid to be popular.

[eash]

It will look obvious if I took the time off sick so I think the interview will have to be rescheduled, hopefully they will understand. Although, I am still waiting to hear from my colleague to see if she will be ok to cover me tomorrow so fingers crossed she'll be ok and I can still go to the interview...

[craft1948]

Best of luck eash..........hope the interview goes well.

[eash]

I can understand where craft and my employer are coming from but from my point of view I feel like I could be missing the oppurtunity of a lifetime (ie getting out of this place). I just hope the potential new employer is understanding!
Thanks for for all the advice and good luck wishes, will let you know what happens.

[dothawkes31]

But have they asked you to work tomorrow eash , as I said, if they haven't don't offer.

[China Doll]

I agree entirely with craft.

I had a similar problem in the past and had to change my interview date. Is there any way you can present the problem to your employer and suggest as a compromise you could have a half day? That might work.

[lankeela]

Don't they have to let you have time off for interviews? I would tell your boss why you want the day off. They can't sack you for looking for another job. If they do, then why would you want to work for them anyway?

Alternatively you could pull a sicky and go home early today, claiming you are not well, then carry it over till tomorrow.