How do you organise 4 weeks holidays?

[liz6]

My husband has his first salary job and we are finding the 4 weeks off per year very restrictive. We have previously had our own business and taken time off as needed. How do people organise their 4 weeks off ? Any tips?

[In Focus]

Are you asking how one arranges it with the boss? Or what to do during the 4 weeks?

[klawsterfobik]

Get in early. I booked my holidays as soon as I knew that I would be taking them ~8 months before I took them (I took 9 weeks though).

If he feels that he is going to need to break up the year, divide it into 4, using all the Public Holidays around Christmas / New Years as a bit of a freebie to take longer than a week.

Just as you wouldn't have taken a week off when working for yourselves in the middle of your busiest time, taking time off in the middle of the busiest time is going to be harder on your husbands employer.

[MITCHAY]

First in, first get and even more so for Christmas and Easter. I try to add on to the public holidays so I get that bit longer.

We have Christmas shutdown and they usually want people to take extra as it is quiet and it reduces the annual leave liability so that makes it easier.

[Legit290]

That's easy
4 years of Teacher's College!

[sgt_doofey]

First, find out if your employer shuts down over Christmas/New Years, because if they do, then there will most likely be two weeks of annual leave right there.
If not, then just give your employer as much notice as possible for when you want to take the leave.

[Powdered Toast Man]

Easy, I don't have a life and mine just keep adding up. I now have 11 weeks owing, although that will come down with the 2 over Chrissy I'm on now.

But seriously, yes if you want to take a large block of time off, like 4 weeks at once, for a planned trip etc. then just give the boss plenty of notice. Especially if your hubby's position at the company isn't easily covered by someone else. The forward notice is even more important if you want time off over the main holiday periods as everybody goes for them.

If you are just inquiring as to the best way to use them then maybe break them up a little through the year. If it's not enough time I'm sure he will be able to take more time if he organises it with his boss, he just wont get paid for it. The 4 weeks per year is the amount of time it is compulsory to be paid for, not the maximum time you are allowed to take off work.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by liz6

My husband has his first salary job and we are finding the 4 weeks off per year very restrictive. We have previously had our own business and taken time off as needed. How do people organise their 4 weeks off ? Any tips?

Does the company say that he has to take the 4 weeks when he is due (after 12 months employment say).

With my company I can take annual leave as I want it, be it 4 days or 4 weeks at a time.

[XP6]

Best thing is not to split them up its better to have one decent break(1 month is goooooood)than say 4 single weeks, 1 week break is over before you know it... 4 weeks allows you to put your feet up and not worry about going back within a few days!

[BF-2K7]

gawd you're lucky you even get 4 weeks holiday!! I'm a sub contractor - if I dont work I dont get paid!

Should be thankful for 4 weeks, I'm lucky if I get 4 days off per year!!! - anyways back to work

[MercurySilver]

i just had 9 weeks off straight
went back and did 5 days
then the xmas break
back to work on dayshift for new years eve
then new years day off
then back into it
next holiday will be easter where i'll take on a couple of days over the easter break


get in early and plan ahead
sometimes its hard as you cant do things on a whim
but i book waaaay in advance
been doing it for over ten years so kind of used to it now

i tend to bank it all up (apart from a few single days off here and there) and then go whammo! 2 months off please and come up with some excuse why i need the time off

[liz6]

Originally Posted by clarkey117

That's easy
4 years of Teacher's College!

Thanks for that idea! I am a teacher but his holidays aren't helping!! At least one of us gets time with the 4 kids...

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by BF-2K7

gawd you're lucky you even get 4 weeks holiday!! I'm a sub contractor - if I dont work I dont get paid!

Should be thankful for 4 weeks, I'm lucky if I get 4 days off per year!!! - anyways back to work

It annoys me me when subbies go on like this especially when they get paid $75/hour and the equivalent employees get $25/hour.....

The extra 50 bucks an hour should cover your holiday's if you manage your affairs properly.

Working in the building game, I've worked out all subbies are poor, even the ones that rock up in $150K+ European cars.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by liz6

has his first salary job and we are finding the 4 weeks off per year very restrictive.

I've been onto this for years, work has really encroached on my life style.

I've considered asking my employer to just pay me and not constantly expect me to turn up, so I can spend more time doing what I want and going on holidays.

Not to mention that stupid bank that keeps wanting money for my house, money I could use to go on more holidays, might ask them to stop too.

[poppa smurf]

I'm self employed and work 12 -14 x 7 (at work now).......I simply take the time, lifes too short, sure it costs me money but I have heard you cant spend it from the grave

to organise 4 weeks is easy, first take one week and extend it.......personally I would like to extend forever but, well, money must come into the equation

subbys do it hard, refuse the work today and you wont get it offered back tomorrow.......I know, I used to hire them

[BF-2K7]

Originally Posted by Stefan

It annoys me me when subbies go on like this especially when they get paid $75/hour and the equivalent employees get $25/hour.....

The extra 50 bucks an hour should cover your holiday's if you manage your affairs properly.

Working in the building game, I've worked out all subbies are poor, even the ones that rock up in $150K+ European cars.

Im so sorry 'We' annoy you - and I wasnt 'going on' (was merely expressing the facts pertaining to the subject) but 'we' have no choice in our chosen field(s) - as for $75 per hr I WISH!! and the 'extra $50 per hr' (if you get it) still doesnt get you actual time off - 'we' physically work through the holiday breaks 'normal' ppl take for granted.

I have to be very careful when I take any time off as Poppa Smurf said "refuse the work today and you wont get it offered back tomorrow" ............ thats the ethos us subbies have to deal with.

Its not good for me to abscond on a holiday during our busiest times, leaves a sour taste in employers mouths and you dont get the work when you return, as someone has taken your place

Dont get me wrong, Im not whinging, its the life I've chosen and its given me all I need to survive and get ahead in life. I have great benefits from the ppl I work for and with (overseas trips and company vehicles with bonuses attached) so its not all doom and gloom.

My point is 4 weeks holiday per year is bliss!! and ppl have problems organising what to to with time off?? c'mon!!

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by liz6

My husband has his first salary job and we are finding the 4 weeks off per year very restrictive. We have previously had our own business and taken time off as needed. How do people organise their 4 weeks off ? Any tips?

1) Who is going?
2) Where do you want to go?
3) What do you want to spend?
4) What is your comfort level?
5) What do you define as a 'holiday'?

[hawkgirl]

i take lots of long weekends - 2 or 3 days either side of a weekend really helps.
Also, my employer offers purchased leave - a max of 2 weeks. This gives me 6 weeks leave in total, which I can spread out as needed. Worth checking out if its offered.

Also, plan well ahead. For example, I had already been approved for 3 days leave on Australia day weekend (friday,tues,wed) while nobody else has even realised its a long weekend. I will book for easter & anzac day when I go back next week

[grandpa_spec_F6]

I took a month off (all of December) and I think i'll do it again next year... taking it off in a chunk means you actually get to relax, do the million things you needed to do in the first week and then have a proper holiday.