Scooby Roo

Basically just been told that the office is closing over the Christmas period. I have been forced to take 3 days annual leave that I didn't want to. Do they have the right to force you to take annual holiday.

Roo

davegtt

I think they do yes.... We do it here. closing on the 21st. we're using 2 days holiday 22nd and 27th and the company will give us 28th and 29th for free

As a side note, for my interest

Can your employer stop you from taking 2 days unpaid holiday or is it up to them?

RMA26

I suppose its either take as holiday, or they’ll just not pay you for it

I know what I’d rather do…………..

davegtt

Go to work?

RMA26

Phil

They can only force you to take certain periods if its in your contract!

Our contracts at work allow us X days a year with upto a Max of 3 of those being declared by the management

As for the unpaid leave

Yes he can dismiss you IIRC

davegtt

He can dismiss me from my job just for asking for 2 days unpaid off?

RMA26

At my old spot, they used to force us to take a two week period every year, so they could (if they needed to) investigate us for fraud

How they got away with that, I’ll never know

davegtt

My mums old factory shut down in the summer, every summer for 2 weeks. The workers were made to use a weeks holiday entitlement and they were given the other week.

Graz

Yep, only if it's already in your contract. If not then they can change your contract but the must be a negotiation period first and any objections can be raised then.

We have to take some leave at Christmas, think it says something about the comapany may fix upto 4 days of your annual leave entitlement in any given year and that we must be notified about this 6 months beforehand. The did however increase our holiday allowance by 2 days at the time as a sweetener

stilover

In a word, Yes.

We have that where I work. 3 days this Christmas.

Although Holidays are a touchy subject here. When our department is busy, holidays are canceled.
Last year I only got to take 7 days, and even that was with a fight.

Being a small company, when you are needed, you're needed. Can't moan too much though, as it's made up for in Bonuses as well as overtime. Plus we can carry over our untaken holidays to the next year.
Not been that busy this year (compared to other years) so have been able to take quite a few weeks off. Still got about 16 days left to take this year.

john_s

iTrader: (1)

It does not need to be in your contract for your employer to nominate when employees take annual leave.

The Working Time Regs allow employers to nominate periods of leave by giving 4 weeks written notice. This can be varied by agreement (ie employment contract).

So it's actually a case of the employer can do it unless your contract says otherwise.

John.

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

If everybody in the company is off, ie company closed for a period, then the company can tell you that you need x amount of days out of your allowance and you have to accept it (not agree but accept).

However where contracts could come into it is if your company tells you to keep the x amount of days for say the christmas period but if the company remains open throughout that period but with skeleton staff (not skeletor), then you are not obliged to take your holidays at that time (unless it is stated in your contract)

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

fwiw a lot of companies will give you extra free days paid for doing this