CRI听力: Taking Extra Long Holidays Should be Approved by Company

Many people are excited about the upcoming eight-day holiday, including National Day and the Mid-autumn Festival. Some plan to take their annual vacation time as well so they will have an extra-long holiday. But experts say employees should consider their companies' policies and opinions when they request their holidays. Our reporter Li Dong has the details.

Reporter: Ms. Gao works at a consulting company in Beijing. The National Day holiday is approaching, but she is not that happy, because her company has rejected her request to take her annual vacation time together with the eight-day holiday.(www.hXen.com)

"I plan to take the National Day holiday and my annual holiday together, because I arranged my wedding for this time. But my request has been rejected. I am frustrated."

Gao's company says it may lose business if employees take extremely long holidays.

Wang Xiangyu, a human resources manager at an education company in Beijing, says her company also has a similar policy.

"Our company stipulates employees can't take annual leave, wedding holidays and long holidays together. This may severely affect our business."

Like Ms.Gao, many people hope to take different holidays at one time. But they understand there is a slight possibility that their companies will approve their requests.

As one employee points out:

"In most cases, no company will allow employees to take such long vacations. It's hard for other people to do your work while you are on holiday."

If Ms. Gao insists on taking a long holiday for her already planned wedding, she needs to ask for extra days off after the National Day holiday. But her full attendance bonus will be reduced. A recent survey indicated that when faced with such dilemma, one-thirds of respondents said they would choose to work instead of going on vacation.

The "Regulations of Paid Annual Leave of Employees" enacted by the State Council says employees have the right to take their lawful holidays.

But Qian Shufeng, an attorney, says employers also have a say on the timing.

"The enterprise has the right to make a decision which may balance the overall condition, like human resources, operating status and the employees' situation. It's not like the company should unconditionally approve employees' requests to take holidays."

Chen Nin, a senior consultant at an employment consulting company, says employees should think like their bosses.

"As for the company, the mangers may have difficulties in arranging the work when there are employees who take long vacations. So, whether you can take a long holiday and how you are going to take the holiday should be decided via a discussion with your boss."

The National Day holiday is already at the corner. For anyone who wants to make better use of it, it's better to have a discussion with their boss in adanvce.

For China Drive, I am Li Dong.