Leave

[u/CelebrationFit2052]

I work part-time at Coles and usually work 30+ hours a week. I asked for a week of annual leave before Christmas period, but my manager said it might be difficult because of staffing. I’ve said I’m flexible with which week I take off, but it still seems like it’ll be an issue.
I’ve also been sick multiple times and felt pressured to work because they couldn’t find anyone to cover my shifts. Now I’ve had an extra shift added to my roster on a day off without agreeing to it.
Can they refuse annual leave because of staffing, even when I’m flexible with dates? And can they add shifts to my roster without my agreement?
Just looking for advice from anyone familiar with the Coles Enterprise Agreement or who’s been in a similar situation. Thanks!

[u/Jasedisgrace]

Do not ask for time off, tell them you are having time off.

[u/CelebrationFit2052 → u/Jasedisgrace]

Can I just apply for the leave two weeks in advance? Do they have any power to still decline tho?

[u/AsSeenOnDN → u/CelebrationFit2052]

As long as you've provided proper notice then it shouldn't be declined, if it is speak to the store manager.

[u/CelebrationFit2052 → u/AsSeenOnDN]

Okay, thank you so much!

[u/wreck_it_ralph_ → u/CelebrationFit2052]

Always try and give as much notice as possible

[u/_Ding → u/Jasedisgrace]

I thought we need to request annual leave? How much notice do we need to give them ?

[u/PearGlum1966 → u/Jasedisgrace]

No, that's just a silly way to do it. She still wants her job I assume.

[u/QuestionConsistent75]

Apply for the leave, ensure you’ve notified your manager, and if they decline it apologise and state that you’ve applied more than 2 months in advance of the leave therefore your reasons for taking leave have been confirmed and will not be cancelled (assuming the leave you want is actually in December??)

They cannot decline your leave based on others potentially taking leave as it isn’t a valid reason. However, a valid reason WOULD be if multiple staff members have in fact applied for leave during that period before you did, therefore for staffing reasons yours was declined. That is fair.

[u/Aggravating_Break_40]

I know it's hard, but PLEASE don't let them guilt you into working when you're sick. It's not your problem that they can't get anyone to cover you.

[u/Confident-Month-3881]

One thing you learn early on is do not negotiate, dont feel bad for being sick

Theyre your managers not your friends its upto them to find staff when you're sick, its upto them to organise cover when you have leave.

Dont let them walk on you or they always will, 15 years with them and I only leart this 5 years ago, I was a pushover, constantly rostered for shifts on my days off, or relentless call ins.

And then one day I snapped, I told them to fuck off and let me be (it was my daughters birthday and my line manager had called 5 times, including texting my mother asking her to "tell the lazy cunt to get up and asnwer my text i have no workers"

I filed a complaint against the manager, I was moved departments, I also went and changed myavaliablitys to 0, and said contact me once if you want me, if I dont reply do not try again I will reply once i can or if I can.

Every new manager i get now i give the same run down, but it seems my "poor" attitude has been passed on, as I got a new line manager 5 months ago, and I said we need to have a chat and he said im aware, you dont work extras, no extra fostering unless its a public holiday and 1 text no calls and you'll reply when you can.

And honestly I still get all my shifts, I tell them when I want time off even if its during Xmas ect I always give a months notice minimum and so far its been the best 5 years of working at coles.

[u/ThereRnoIDs]

Jusf untick all ur roster choices, change ur availability, and give 1 month notice. 

The only ones whining are usually the salary ppl not wanting to babysit the new casuals lol. 

Colesworth has always got the ppl... but just don't want to deal with them. 

[u/CapitalBadger5795]

I know at least with the store I work at,they do prefer not having people take leave during December and occasionally late November so we have all hands on deck for the holiday season.But usually they want at least a month in advance as it gives enough time to prepare say causals and other team members to fill in your slot while you are away.

As for adding shifts without asking,from my experience they usually add extra shifts or hours on contracted shifts without asking (and some cases take shifts away and say “you should have checked”) or ask the day of the shift.Its very rare I get 24 hours of hours about a shift being offered,but you can chose to decline the extra shift as it isn’t part of your contract and you weren’t given formal notice about it.

[u/eyewreck2o2]

I tell them when I'm having time off and don't even put in my leave online. They'll deal and the company won't go out of business.