APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who feels unfairly treated.
Q: I work in retail and, although I don’t have children, lots of my colleagues do, so I generally try to schedule my annual leave for outside of school holidays, both because it works better for me and out of consideration for them.
However, sometimes, especially around Christmas and bank holidays, I’d like to take some leave when schools also happen to be off.
I’m finding these requests are always turned down, as other colleagues want that time off to spend with their families – just like I do!
I feel as if I’m being penalised for living child-free. Is there anything I can do?
Karen
A: Being child-free doesn’t mean your time off matters any less than that of your colleagues.
You’ve been considerate of others’ needs, but fairness works both ways, and you shouldn’t always come last.
If your holiday requests are routinely denied, it’s completely fair to raise the issue.
Ask to speak to your manager or HR about putting a clear, transparent system in place for holiday requests.
Certain periods are obviously busier in the retail industry, so it makes business sense that all staff can’t be off at the same time.
But you could suggest a rota that rotates peak periods fairly, or one where anyone who didn’t have Christmas off last year gets first pick this year.
After your meeting, ask that HR send an email to all staff, so everyone is aware of the system, as this helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps things fair.
When you request time off, do it confidently – state the dates you want without over-explaining or apologising.
Remember, your personal time is just as valid as anyone else’s.
You don’t need to have a child in order to earn a holiday.
