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Original poster

Does your employer tell you when to take holiday?

22 replies

Pleaseme · 09/09/2023 06:36

My second job (14 hours a week) decided they don’t need me for a shift next week and gave me the option of unpaid day off or holiday. I think it’s really cheeky as I like to keep my holiday days for inset days/ school holidays etc.

The following day my primary employer has told me about a full time opportunity they’d be keen for me to take on so I’m going to spend my “unpaid day” doing a paid training day at another site ( closer to home! Woohoo) and meeting the team.

I suspect it’ll all work out for the best and I’ll move on once I’ve secured this new role. However it’s really annoyed me and I think eroded the loyalty I felt towards the company. Also that I can’t necessarily rely on the income if it’s quiet. I do have a contract for set hours and I’ve been working there for nearly a year if it makes any difference.

OP posts:
andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 09/09/2023 06:39

They can't force you to take a day unpaid but I believe they can tell you when to use your annual leave allowance.

cruffinsmuffin · 09/09/2023 06:43

I'm sure my contract says they can tell me when to take AL if needed (for example we have shutdown days that are assigned AL, no choice) but I think there's a notice period they have to give (something either twice the time they're asking me to take or similar!).

MinnieMountain · 09/09/2023 06:43

DH and I both have compulsory annual leave for different business reasons. But we’ve never been told to nor work when we have fixed hours contracts.

xyz111 · 09/09/2023 06:48

So what would happen if you already used all your leave? Doesn't seem fair

Original poster
Pleaseme · 09/09/2023 06:57

I really don’t know what would happen if I had no holiday pay left. I’ve never experienced this before tbh. I’d normally need to book time off months in advance.

I suspect I’ll be leaving anyway if new job comes off. Normally I’d bend over backwards during notice period to train new start. Extend/ shorten as required. Whereas now I’m going to be a bit like fuck it and just do what’s contractually required.

OP posts:
blendedfamly · 09/09/2023 06:57

Yes you should have been offered to take as annual leave or a day in lieu. Not unpaid if you have contracted hours.

LifeIsShambolic · 09/09/2023 07:08

No, and I wouldn't want to work anywhere that did.
My husband has to keep 2 days AL for Christmas shutdown (they are automatically adjusted off at the beginning of the holiday year) which doesn't seem so bad.
The problem with employers dictating things like when you take your leave is they increase the amount of time employees spend off sick. So for example if they dictate 5 days of my 20 day allowance and I allocate the other 15 days over the school holidays what happens when one of the kids gets sick/has an inset day/school goes on strike......I would ring in sick (still get paid, if my child was sick I wouldn't get paid).

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 09/09/2023 07:10

blendedfamly · 09/09/2023 06:57

Yes you should have been offered to take as annual leave or a day in lieu. Not unpaid if you have contracted hours.

She was offered it as annual leave.

misssunshine4040 · 09/09/2023 07:16

Is there a date your holiday entitlement runs out? Mine runs nov - nov so has to be used by then or lost.
Your employer can "force" you to take holidays if you haven't used them

Original poster
Pleaseme · 09/09/2023 07:19

LifeIsShambolic · 09/09/2023 07:08

No, and I wouldn't want to work anywhere that did.
My husband has to keep 2 days AL for Christmas shutdown (they are automatically adjusted off at the beginning of the holiday year) which doesn't seem so bad.
The problem with employers dictating things like when you take your leave is they increase the amount of time employees spend off sick. So for example if they dictate 5 days of my 20 day allowance and I allocate the other 15 days over the school holidays what happens when one of the kids gets sick/has an inset day/school goes on strike......I would ring in sick (still get paid, if my child was sick I wouldn't get paid).

I don’t get paid sick leave but my annual leave is precious. I can’t think of the last time I had a random day off when the kids were in school!

Its really put me off them as an employer tbh.

OP posts:
PerfectMatch · 09/09/2023 07:20

I work in an education setting (not a teacher) so annual leave basically has to be taken in the holidays. But to give you only a week's notice is awful! I'd definitely be looking to leave.

Original poster
Pleaseme · 09/09/2023 07:20

misssunshine4040 · 09/09/2023 07:16

Is there a date your holiday entitlement runs out? Mine runs nov - nov so has to be used by then or lost.
Your employer can "force" you to take holidays if you haven't used them

Holiday runs to end of the year. So that’d be me till Christmas!

OP posts:
Approaching · 09/09/2023 07:24

My employer doesn’t force it, I know employers can but I’d be absolutely on the same page as you, totally put off them as an employer. It shows disregard for their employees. It’s a bit different if there are set times with plenty of notice (eg Christmas shutdown).

Approaching · 09/09/2023 07:25

I hope the new job works out for you!

SummerDayz47 · 09/09/2023 07:31

It does depend what your contract / policy says. Mine don’t, we have a shut down week but this is in addition to annual leave. In the policy they can turn it down for business reasons but I have never known this to happen.

Hardbackwriter · 09/09/2023 07:32

I think in principle this is fine and not that unusual - lots of businesses have shut down periods or insist you take leave during their off-peak period which might not coincide with school holidays etc - but the short notice and communication from your employer has been pretty crap.

Original poster
Pleaseme · 09/09/2023 07:37

Approaching · 09/09/2023 07:24

My employer doesn’t force it, I know employers can but I’d be absolutely on the same page as you, totally put off them as an employer. It shows disregard for their employees. It’s a bit different if there are set times with plenty of notice (eg Christmas shutdown).

Yes I have annual leave earmarked for Christmas which is fine. I think you are absolutely right about showing disregard for their employees. It has annoyed me, I wasn’t sure if I was being unreasonable, so I’m glad go see that most people wouldn’t be happy with it either despite it being contractually acceptable.

Im just glad I have options, really looking forward to trying out new job. I’d be stepping up a grade too so pay rise and increased hours. 🤞

OP posts:
LifeIsShambolic · 09/09/2023 07:44

TBH there are lots of contractually acceptable things that my employer doesn't enforce precisely for this reason, it causes bad feeling!
For example, last week I had to leave an hour early to pick my child up from school and according to my contract they should deduct that hours pay. They never deduct my pay, this then goes in their favour because I like them I usually start early so my hours are up anyway.
Most employers have realised they get more out of you with a bit more carrot and a lot less stick these days.

PickledPurplePickle · 09/09/2023 07:46

Employers can make you take holiday when it suits them for business reasons, though many do not

They have to give you notice of at least twice the length of the leave they want you to take - so for 1 day, 2 days notice - for 1 week, 2 weeks notice

greenjojocat · 09/09/2023 07:47

I worked as a PA about 8 years ago. When I requested 2 weeks off in November to get married and go on honeymoon, my boss said can't you do that in August when I'm on holiday instead! I said no and he begrudgingly let me book it..

ActDottie · 09/09/2023 08:09

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 09/09/2023 06:39

They can't force you to take a day unpaid but I believe they can tell you when to use your annual leave allowance.

This I think

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