Should parents get priority for annual leave? 

Recently, an employer in Britain told staff that annual leave requests are not handled on a first come, first served basis. 

Instead, parents with school age children are given priority because of the extra demands on their time. 

On Lunchtime Live, Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie described it is “really tricky” issue. 

“I'm not sure it's as straightforward as saying people with children get priority,” she explained. 

“But it is really hard when you have kids to organise child care and to organise holidays and to try and do things around the school system. 

“So, if parents have to work over the Christmas break and over the Easter break, it's really hard for them. 

“Then, if you do want to go on holiday with your children, there's only certain times you can really go - you can't pull them out of school for a week or two.” 

Ms O’Neill White noted that people who do not have children or have grown up children have more “flexibility” when it comes to booking their trips away. 

“I guess the way it's been phrased, it sounds quite mean and it sounds like parents are getting preferential treatment,” she said. 

“But you do need more flexibility when you're a parent - that is reality. 

“You do need more flexibility in work and in the time that you take off and you are more restricted as a parent when you can do certain things.”

Main image: Parents and children on holiday. Picture by: Alamy.com.