Holiday declined

**MarillionFan** · 22 September 2011, 15:37

Originally posted by curtis View Post

I've just had my contract renewed for another 4 months due to having plans for Christmas/new year this year I will need 2 weeks off over that period, I have let them know and its been declined.

I have never had this before and don't know how to handle it really as this has been planned way before there was any hint of an extension.

Its not something I will budge on, my job is a general one so no set things to delivery by certain times etc. At the start of my last renewal I told them I would need 2 weeks off in August as I was going away on holiday and got told they would have to check to see if anyone else was out those weeks to see if it was ok??? My holiday had been already booked and paid for again well before the offer it was not me asking it was more me telling them i had to have that time!

Has anyone else had this and how have you handled it?

It's not a question of asking, you tell them. You did the right thing and booked outside of your contract. Nothing to do with them, you just tell them you are unavailable for that period or use your subsistiution clause.

**Paddy** · 22 September 2011, 15:41

[QUOTE=MarillionFan;1397020]It's not a question of asking, you tell them. You did the right thing and booked outside of your contract. Nothing to do with them, you just tell them you are unavailable for that period or use your subsistiution clause.[/QUOTE] ERR 56 Autoanswer to CUK failure.

WMS

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**MrRobin** · 22 September 2011, 15:42

Originally posted by MarillionFan View Post

It's not a question of asking, you tell them. You did the right thing and booked outside of your contract. Nothing to do with them, you just tell them you are unavailable for that period or use your subsistiution clause.

WMFS

You're a contractor supplying your services, not an employee. You do not have to 'ask' for holiday, just tell them when you won't be available.

Sounds like your client doesn't understand the difference between an employee and a contractor.

**PAH** · 22 September 2011, 15:51

WTS. Tell them you won't be in those weeks and if they have a problem then you can get someone in to cover.

If you need someone to cover, I recommend my mate Bernie.

**curtis** · 22 September 2011, 15:52

I hear the right of substitution mentioned a lot but how practical is that as I know they won't go for that at all.

Thats the thing I know its not a point of asking but telling but trying to word that in the right way without sounding an arse is difficult.

**MarillionFan** · 22 September 2011, 15:56

Originally posted by curtis View Post

I hear the right of substitution mentioned a lot but how practical is that as I know they won't go for that at all.

Thats the thing I know its not a point of asking but telling but trying to word that in the right way without sounding an arse is difficult.

"Just to let you know I am not available between the xx/xx/xx to the xx/xx/xx. If it's a problem I can arrange for a subsitute, but I will not be available then."

Not arsey is it.

And if you get the 'Oh but, blah blah'. Just do what politicians do.

"As I said, I am not available"
"As I said, I am not available"
"As I said, I am not available"
"As I said, I am not available"

**PAH** · 22 September 2011, 15:57

Just email something along the lines of:

"Regarding upcoming holidays. I won't be available between ___ and ___ as I have a holiday pre-booked that cannot be changed."

Telling them now gives them plenty of time to get their act together. They can't reasonably expect more.

If they do expect more, then that's when you say "the cost of cancellation will be y * x * d", where y is your daily rate, x is the compo factor (recommend at least '2'), and d is the number of days.

**MrRobin** · 22 September 2011, 15:59

Originally posted by curtis View Post

Thats the thing I know its not a point of asking but telling but trying to word that in the right way without sounding an arse is difficult.

Hi <enter manager's name>,

Just to let you know, I won't be available or in the office between <startdate> and <enddate>. I will ensure that any deliverables for that period are either completed before I leave or agreed with the stakeholders that they can be performed after I return.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know so we can discuss in good time.

Kind regards,
MrRobin

**MarillionFan** · 22 September 2011, 15:59

Originally posted by PAH View Post

Just email something along the lines of:

"Regarding upcoming holidays. I won't be available between ___ and ___ as I have a holiday pre-booked that cannot be changed."

Telling them now gives them plenty of time to get their act together. They can't reasonably expect more.

If they do expect more, then that's when you say "the cost of cancellation will be y * x * d", where y is your daily rate, x is the compo factor (recommend at least '2'), and d is the number of days.

"As I said, I am not available"

Holiday declined