Should parents get priority for annual leave?

The question has sparked debate after an employer in Britain said annual leave requests would not simply be dealt with on a first-come-first-served basis.

The company said employees' individual circumstances would be taken into account when deciding who gets certain dates off.

For parents, getting annual leave during school holidays can be particularly important, with childcare arrangements often depending on them being off work at the same time as their kids.

However, giving parents priority could mean other employees miss out on popular dates, including during the summer or over Christmas.

Speaking on Lunchtime Live, Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie said this is a “really tricky” issue.

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

“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.”

She went on to say that people who don't have kids 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.”