I've just had a bit of an argument at work over wanting to book the week after Easter off (so's I can go to the classics, not that it matters where or why I'm wanting the holiday). As apparently its discriminating against those with children - oh, and "holidays are expensive then" - like I could give a ...
I've been gracious, and agreed to take the barest minimum that'll allow me to go to what I want - ie around the weekends.
But it does annoy me, anyone else have opinions (or gripes)?
Parents should not get priority over school holidays. Great if everyone can be flexible and work it out between them, but that doesn't always happen. Your reason for specific dates is just as valid as any other.
TGA (parent of three schoolchildren)
Phone in sick for the week, it's as much as the parents will ha e taken to look after their sprogs. Just have to remember that they are better than you.
I do my best to allow parents to take time off in school holidays but that's because I'm nice, not because it would be discrimination if I didn't. They chose to have the kids, it's not my fault holidays are more expensive then. A bit of give and take works wonders for keeping everyone happy.
FFS this forum is insane... there's some selfish sods in here.
That's stupid, just because you have kids doesn't give you any right over someone who doesn't.
That's well out of order IMO. If people choose to have kids the accompanying inconveniences are for them to put up with, not you.
First come first served.
Just a general observation there weeksy?
If people choose to have a hobby the accompanying inconveniences are for them to put up with, not you
It's not the parents fault he wants to go away that week.
Milk and sugar ?
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[i]First come first served[/i]
This.
mikewsmith - MemberJust a general observation there weeksy?
Not really mate, you may have seen in several posts I comment on how sanctimonious/opinionated STW is, it's beyond ridiculous at times how bitter, selfish and twisted peoples grasp on reality actually is.
From the Fat bike love/hate, to the wood burners, then onto speeding, people with kids and people who do or don't go on 'cheeky' trails. It seems on here if you have an axe to grind with the world, you're far from alone, especially if it's a bit middle class/daily mail, then all the better for it.
I sometimes sit here and think "what a bunch of arrogant idiots..." but then, some on here (as seen earlier today by me) are really helpful, nice and lovely people.
Bemuses me how people make it through days at a time without bbeing battered senseless... I can only assume they're not as arrogant in real life.
I do my best to allow parents to take time off in school holidays but that's because I'm nice, not because it would be discrimination if I didn't. They chose to have the kids, it's not my fault holidays are more expensive then. A bit of give and take works wonders for keeping everyone happy.
This.
Stop trolling weeksy. 🙂
Did you get the holiday?
First come first served.
This
(parent myself)
With whom did you have the argument? Has someone actually booked the same week off?
I normally allow parents (with the agreement of the other workers) to have first dibbs at the holiday calender, but once it's gone, it's gone.
MrNice - MemberI do my best to allow parents to take time off in school holidays but that's because I'm nice, not because it would be discrimination if I didn't. They chose to have the kids, it's not my fault holidays are more expensive then. A bit of give and take works wonders for keeping everyone happy.
What I was going to say, only I was going to use way more words.
If people choose to have a hobby the accompanying inconveniences are for them to put up with, not you
It's not the parents fault he wants to go away that week.
What?
Is he asking them to not book their holidays then in case he wants to?
I think you're trying a bit too hard here. First come first served, what people want to do with the time is entirely irrelevant.
EDIT: What MrNice says basically.
there are many choices..
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I comment on how sanctimonious/opinionated STW is, it's beyond ridiculous at times how bitter, selfish and twisted peoples grasp on reality actually is.
you go get em....
I do tend to find that there are a significant number of parents that I have worked with over the years that at any point of weakness or personal need will have no hesitation in reminding you that they once managed to have sex and produce something, therefore your selfish actions (taking the last biscuit/not understanding that they have to leave work early and you need to cover for them/not understanding that they need tomorrow off as something on the scale of WMD's lost in Birmingham or child has a runny nose) are totally unacceptable and on a par with Hitler and Hussain getting together for a bit of a night on the tiles with bin laden.
As parents it's not really a 'choice' apart from the fact of course you've chosen to have children. But you're then tied into 1 of you taking inset days off, or days when your child is sick and of course school holidays... believe me, I'd LOVE to take time off at more appropriate times, cheaper times too etc... but it's not actually possible...we can't as parents 'move' holidays about in the same way non-parents can.
It does sound a bit odd - I suppose normally most folk without kids avoid the school holidays like the plague so it just sorts itself out. However, it's a bit of a dangerous game for your management to start deciding who's holiday is more worthy.
we can't as parents 'move' holidays about in the same way non-parents can.
As a non parent I'm unable to move the races I want to do, the OP can't move the spring classics, what if there is something a non parent needs to do in school holidays is that not allowed?
It's all give and take and sometimes people can over play the "I'M A MELON FARMING PARENT" card a bit.
apart from the fact of course you've chosen to have children.
Bingo!
Other people will generally try and be accommodating, but that should be appreciated rather than expected.
As a wise man* once said, "we're here to make babies and look after the place".
As someone has already said, as a non-parent I was happy to give priority to the parents, partly because holidays are cheaper and places quieter outside those times. However, if there was a reason it had to be then, then hard lines.
*ok. It was Billy Connelly
what if there is something a non parent needs to do in school holidays is that not allowed?
Of course, and when compromises are possible then of course people can and will do that. But it's a small world and people need to TRY and understand eachothers needs.... and sometimes accept that things just are not viable on occasions.
First come first served.
Yep.
When I was childless, I always volunteered to cover the christmas call out period though. That's the kids time. I wonder if anyone will be as thoughtful now I have a littleun?
As parents it's not really a 'choice' apart from the fact of course you've chosen to have children. But you're then tied into 1 of you taking inset days off, or days when your child is sick and of course school holidays... believe me, I'd LOVE to take time off at more appropriate times, cheaper times too etc... but it's not actually possible...we can't as parents 'move' holidays about in the same way non-parents can.
(not) sorry but you know the rules when you join Parent Club. One of those rules is that children of school age are only [i]supposed[/i] to go on holidays when the schools are actually closed.
One of the rules of supply & demand is that when there's more demand & the supply (of hotel rooms) is fixed, the price will go up.
If you don't like the combination of these two rules, well you can always keep your toffees wrapped. or tie a knot in it, or something.
work holiday plans should always be "first come first served", nothing else is fair.
I always volunteered to cover the christmas call out period though. That's the kids time. I wonder if anyone will be as thoughtful now I have a littleun?
Funny enough, I have a child who's 6 and due to lack of family nearby won't be out drinking over Xmas. So have taken on call for both Xmas and New Years so people who can go out and get drunk actually now have the time off.
You're aware guys, if your parents had not made the sacrifice to have you, instead choosing to keep it wrapped up, you wouldn't even bloody be here to post this stuff ? The fact your parents made sacrifices, financially, emotionally and physically is the only reason you even exist today !
Is the equation:
Parents get priority over 14 weeks a year
Non-parents get priority over the rest of the year
If this is the case the OP's gripe is that the three/four spring classics clash. This will not always be the case with Easter moving around so is it just this year's classics being an issue?
How many parent's in your company take those weeks off?
There are a lot of variables here so your company may be saying the right thing in the wrong way, but it is a bit harsh considering the first bit of the equation above.
sacrifice? [i][b]sacrifice?[/b][/i] doing what comes naturally?
why should it be a race to book ? When does the race open, and how far ahead can people book ?IHN - Member
First come first served
This.
No priority for parents IMO (speaking as one), but those who just block out the calendar more than a year ahead are being just as selfish
Maybe you could agree that all employees get a deadline by which requests for a big "holiday" have to be in, and then review them as a whole including criteria like how often you ask for leave during peak times. If somebody expects to book every easter, christmas and summer holiday then they're a self-centred arse, parent or not
You're aware guys, if your parents had not made the sacrifice to have you, instead choosing to keep it wrapped up, you wouldn't even bloody be here to post this stuff ? The fact your parents made sacrifices, financially, emotionally and physically is the only reason you even exist today !
Right, but part of working in a diverse workplace is navigating these questions...without anyone throwing the toys out the pram. You can't go treating people without kids worse than with.
wood burners
Forum font strikes again lol
Funny enough, I have a child who's 6 and due to lack of family nearby won't be out drinking over Xmas.
I didn't figure on them going out boozing!!!! I just didn't want little Tommys Daddy having to run out the door *violins* over the break.
I, on the other hand would only have been pissing it right up.
Now I'm a parent, and I don't see it as a sacrifice. It's a pleasure.
No priority for parents IMO (speaking as one), but those who just block out the calendar more than a year ahead are being just as selfishMaybe you could agree that all employees get a deadline by which requests for a big "holiday" have to be in, and then review them as a whole including criteria like how often you ask for leave during peak times. If somebody expects to book every easter, christmas and summer holiday then they're a self-centred arse, parent or not
Agreed- for me it's about accommodating people where you can and basically not being a d!ck, and I'd expect everyone I work with to do the same. But the impression given by in the OP is that the management think that having kids is some sort of trump card.
FCFS policy in everywhere i've worked.
Generally it's staff with the kids kicking off they can't have the holiday when THEY want it. Yes, the 'its unfair you haven't got kids' card has been rolled out on a regular basis too.
I try and compromise where necessary when it comes to people with kids.
But some parents really do like to ram it down your throat that they are parents and seem to expect some kind of extra special treatment as a result.
As someone with two kids of school age, I say to the OP:
"Enjoy the classics, mate!"
Childless people... if us parents didn't have kids there'd be no-one to fund your pensions, care packages and wipe your back-sides when you are pensioners!! 😀
As a general rule if "traditional holidays" need to be covered then it should be on a rota for everyone. For a lot of people christmas holidays are a time to catch up with family (parents etc). booking the year out on day 1 before anyone else gets a shot at the calendar is out of order too. Sob stories should also be reserved for real emergencies.
the-muffin-man - MemberChildless people... if us parents didn't have kids
Perhaps some of the 'childless people' are not childless through choice.....and would love to be in your shoes.
you should try booking holiday at half term etc where i work, everyone else has kids, I don't, but my OH is a teacher so we have to go away when the kids are off
Perhaps some of the 'childless people' are not childless through choice.....and would love to be in your shoes.
FFS - It was a comedy statement - if we're throwing baby stories around I can put in 3 miscarriages, and 4 operations to our only child within a year.
Whilst I agree with the OP that it is rediculous that he is being denied holiday to go to an event he has no control of, this attidude...
If people choose to have kids the accompanying inconveniences are for them to put up with, not you.
and it's growth in society is a vile trend.
Not only does it perpetrate the myth that having kids can only be a lifestyle choice for the well off but it is also a very short termist selfish attitude to take.
I know it's obvious but if people did not have kids then this country is up shit creek. Who is going to pay for your pensions, public services etc when you are too old a decrepid to work.
