the HR dept put out a message to try and quell the demand and optimism.

Is every HR dept in existence just stuffed full of complete tools?
Yes

TBH the day the RW was announced 99% of the workforce worked out the time off/days booked permutation, it took HR & our Directors till New Year to work out & issue a threatening directive to managers not to allow any more off than usual over that period!
Funny that we have been managing the holidays in this way for years without issue & they never notice 🙄

Booked them off on my first day back,this year.

Requests now require director sign off, but I have extenuating circumstances due to the demands of a project. Got my request in early – 7 paid days off equating to 21 consecutive non-working days – oh glee! I’m going biking…..

Gower
Brechfa
Doethie
Black Mountains
Long Mynd

That will do for starters.

I booked them off the day after it was announced. I had no plans at the time but it’s easier to cancel them than to wait and see. Probably going to be doing some decorating, cycling and walking in Northumbria. Going to try and stay away from travelling as much as possible. There will be strikes, traffic jams, crowds etc. It’s ages since I’ve had some time off with no real plans so I’m looking forward to relaxing. We are also planning a wedding so the TV will be off in case she gets too many ideas.

I don’t care, with everyone else off on holiday that week, work will be a doss anyway

Not for me.

No – I get 12 days off for 2 days holiday.

Of course strictly speaking I have to take 6 days holiday, and I only get 3.2 days of the 4 days of B/Hs added onto my leave allowance (only an extra 0.8 of a day).

I very much doubt there will be any rationing of holiday over that period at my place, given we don’t have to have anybody in, and it makes sense for lots of people to be off together (lots of people would be out that week anyway). I suspect I might just content myself with a couple of 5 day weekends though. Do so many people on here work somewhere there has to be staff in every day, or are employers just being awkward?

Yup I booked 7 days off in November last year giving me 17 days off in row. I only have 36 days plus 9 days bank holidays this year :). to make matters worse I’m leaving in august so I’m using all 8 weeks off between now and then. Pretty much working 3 weeks and then a week off. I’ll get stung for the 4 months holiday allocation I’ll if used without working it but I’ve already factored that in.

me too.

Originally had the 3 days booked for a DIY onslaught but then though that it would be really nice and quiet in work so decided to cancel.

Working them 3 days will be bliss and waste of 3 days off IMO

Is that number 2 Donk?

BTW, yep I’ve booked it off too – Mrs Yosh is a teacher and felt hard done to that I was going to be off work when she’s not….epic rides ahead 🙂

dammit, you’re right. i’d like to apologise to everyone for not using the appropriate block capitols. i was getting a lot of messages from someone on facebook who ended every message with something annoying like “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMTING” so i subconsciously avoided using it on reflection.

i will work hard to regain my AWESOMNESS by throwing some lolcats about the place 😀

Presumably because you don’t get enough holiday already?