Unpaid leave rejected

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An employee of ten years service wished to take 3.5 days of unpaid after using the majority of their holiday in February to take a 2 week break in September.

Said employee is going to china on Business for 3 weeks for no additional re numeration in October giving up their weekends for this trip.

Employee has had this request rejected due to the company manual stating this is not special circumstances.

What would be your views on this?

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Employee is an assistant manager.

I'm aware that their is no "god given right" to unpaid leave but from a motivational aspect seems pretty poor.

International travel is not part of the normal role.

Employee has decided to only take the single week now to avoid any confrontation. As above life is about compromise and flexibility. I think certain people like to exercise their rights just because they can.

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schmunk said:

Wear your new red socks when you're in China - they consider it lucky.

I would if i were going.

Countdown said:

Seems a bit silly or counterproductive for the company. However, OTOH, and playing devil's advocate - if the company doesn't normally give TOIL for people on business travel then it wouldn't want to make an exception for one person. Secondly why would somebody expect "extra" remuneration just because they're based in China? I assume they'll have all travel & subsistence costs covered as well as a per diem allowance? Thirdly (given that he doesn't normally travel on business) does the fact that he gets to spend 3 weeks in China not partially compensate for the extra PITA of being away from home?

I agree with your points in some respect.

However, how about having to pay someone to look after animals, would you expect this to be subsidized?

No allowance provided as far as I am aware. Standard salary provided. Bare in mind we aren't talking a sight seeing trip. This is going to be back to back meetings, some face showing and then sat in a room in an industrial area of a weekend. I'm happy to hear both sides to the story for what it's worth, I just believe this is poor for staff morale and a lack of flexibility from the employer.

Just a gripe more than anything else.

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randlemarcus said:

Not an unreasonable gripe, in my view. I might not expect brown envelopes of cash in return for making the trip (as travel is part and parcel of my job), but if you withdraw the flexibility, so do I. It's quite odd how badly that can be taken when the employer takes the michael lots, but nobody returns the favour. I'd make sure I was significantly less willing to go above and beyond, but be wary of that being taken massively badly, even if you are demurring from an overnight to Peterborough in future.

I think therein lies the issue, once the employee withdraws flexibility the employer gets the "arse".

I think said company has show their true colours in recent years and this is up there with the best.

Allocated tea breaks (as no drinks at your desk are allowed) and a clocking in machine strike me as a truly draconian company to work for.

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NDA said:

Cyberprog said:

I don't get employers like this - the employee is clearly going out of their way to be away from their family and home for 3 weeks for the company, and is just asking for a bit of extra, unpaid, holiday so they can recuperate later in the year with their family.

You'd have to be a cold, heartless, boss/HR person to refuse that, and all that will happen is they will either look for work elsewhere, or work to rule and you will get less leeway out of them.

Work, as in life, is a game of balance. If you feel like your employer is taking the proverbial, you'll lean back a bit and not work quite so hard as a result.

I agree.

It's the easiest thing in the world to approve. Costs nothing.

HR departments are there in an advisory capacity only in my view.

Well I appreciate all your views. It was only a grip and I'm glad I am not the only one who feels the same.

I think in future said person is not going to be as flexible as previous now.

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FrankAbagnale said:

So in the long run, everyone loses out.

Eventually they'll twig that being less tight and draconian will increase long term productivity.

Of course. It's always the way.

Probably aside from me. I saved £186 only booking one week away.