sarah_m

I'm currently in the UK but am planning on moving back to Canada in a few months time. I've lived in Toronto for 2 years and was lucky enough to visit home 3 times in that time period. The first job I was in, they allowed me to take unpaid leave. The second job I had, was in a private school, so I had 6 weeks paid holiday a year.

I really do want to see more of Canada and would love to come back to the UK twice a year. I don't care if I have to take unpaid leave, but the option to actually take time off would be nice. I know that the norm in Canada is 2 weeks a year, unless you work for a company for years and years.

How do other brits find only have 2 weeks a year?

Have any of you managed to negotiate unpaid leave?

I am a little hesitant to try negotiation of unpaid leave as I've always felt that Canadians seem to frown upon taking holiday and time off. I want to move back to Canada, but my mum has kidney failure and I have a lot of guilt about moving back to Canada. Not to mention, I do really miss home! I really would love to visit home twice a year, and be able to take time off (so approx. 5-6 weeks a year). Do you think it would be near impossible to negotiate unpaid leave for this amount per year?

Thanks in advance!

JB0591

I think you will find 2 weeks in the minimum not the norm...it depends on the industry. I get three weeks which excludes xmas break which is also paid.

Mikeypm

My brother in law changed jobs about 6 months ago managed to get 4 weeks as part of the terms for his new job, I think you need to lay your cards on the table with your employer when you take the job and then you should be fine

Hawk13

Yup, it depends on the industry and whether your in a union shop or private sector. If you're in private sector you can always get unpaid leave as long as it's booked well in advance.

jerry brewer

Hi
Most union shops here have negotiated up to 3 months leave of absence unpaid per year.
Likewise overtime can be banked to give more paid time off.
cheers
Jerry

DandNHill

I told my prospective employer that I would accept the 2 weeks paid leave but I then also wanted 1 week unpaid. She was fine with that...
I also got the week off between Xmas and New Year and then had a week of time off in lieu in Feb so in fact I will have had 5 weeks off this year...

in the woods

when looking at the calendar at work earlier this year i said. I want this this this and that and he said how much holiday do you get. At which point i said you don't pay me so i'll have what i want.

sarah_m

whatttt!?

I can never imagine doing this. I guess I'm just starting out my career and therefore, won't be working in a highly skilled/specialised industry.

I really want to get a job at one of the big universities or colleges in Toronto, and I can see that it's the standard 2 weeks per week in your first year.

JB0591

Sarah

Just be aware that some companies wont give you paid leave until you have either completed probation (6 months in some cases) or after a complete year has been worked....this is not the norm in my opinion but it does happen. Just want to make sure you understand what can happen.

JB0591