AIBU to think that these holiday restrictions are crazy?

[Holyshitbags]

This place of work bans anyone from taking their annual leave in June, July, August, December, January, February. Anyone in the office is not allowed to take a holiday at the same time as anyone else (so 6 people have 6 months in which to take their annual leave)
It is an online shop that sells equipment for one particular sort of hobby. They release a catalogue twice a year (August and feb) and the office produce the catalogue. The management have this holiday “rule” across the board so it includes the staff in the warehouse. Now whilst I understand that warehouse staff may be needed at end of catalogue and new catalogue times the office staff only take a couple of months to produce the catalogue so I’m not quite sure why the holiday ban applies to them.

I just find it crazy that this company can ban you from taking a holiday basically for the whole of the summer!!! AIBU? Is this the norm?

Is the pay decent to compensate? Does seem OTT!

It’s horrible isn’t it?

At my work, we have to use 2 weeks holiday when we close for Christmas and new year so we only have 2 weeks to choose to use for the whole rest of the year. We’re only allowed one person off at a time, so very rarely get holidays that we actually want. It’s crap.

It is a little higher than similar jobs for this area, however not ruddy enough 😂😂

If 6 people only have 6 months to take off leave and can't take it off at the same time then there must never be all 6 in the office at the same time! I'm guessing you only get 20 days annual leave (once you remove bank holidays surley anymore than 20 days and it couldn't possibly work as there would be too much annual leave for too little days)

At this place you work till 5:30 Xmas eve, back day after Boxing Day.
Could understand it if it was a really important sector but it’s really not lol

24 days I believe. And not even a single day can overlap. And if you don’t use all your holidays you lose them once April hits!!

No way I would work for a company where that would be the case. But at the same time you have the choice NOT to work for them so if that is the rule, your choice if you want to work there.

I would look for a different job as that is too restrictive. And I’m saying that as someone who can’t usually take holidays in December, or May-October.

That’s shit? How is anyone going to fill in taking their whole AL allowance in the allowed months. And losing them if not taken before April. Disgusting really.

Surely they'd just have loads of sick leave taken if you weren't allowed to take a day off to get a mattress delivered/go to the dentist etc ?

The CEO isn't a Mr E Scrooge is he?

That's so rubbish ! YANBU!

I can't imagine not going on holiday in the summer with the kids. I would totally quit if it's not worth the money. What you gonna do with all that money if you can't take days off to spend it?!

DH wasn't allowed to take any holiday in December or January in a previous job. It was a bit miserable not being allowed to take extra time at Christmas.

How are parents supposed to cope with the school holidays if they cannot take holidays? That would be so miserable. Why would I want a week off in March when it is cold Vs the summer?

I don't think it's fair.

And if you don’t use all your holidays you lose them once April hits

This is potentially unlawful. The employer is supposed to ensure that staff take their holiday entitlement. If their holiday requirements prevent staff from using their legal entitlement then they need to change their holiday system.

Do you have a union? Because that seems onerous to the point of unlawful if the restrictions are such that people aren't actually able to take their holiday entitlement.

And if you don’t use all your holidays you lose them once April hits

This is potentially unlawful. The employer is supposed to ensure that staff take their holiday entitlement. If their holiday requirements prevent staff from using their legal entitlement then they need to change their holiday system

I have to agree with this... check this out OP

Forcing AL when the office is closed is bloody awful. Same thing happens to DBF (local council)

Like, you've got 26 weeks in which you are all allowed to take holiday. Assuming a 5 day working week, that's 130 days. Divided between 6 of you, because no overlap is allowed, that's less than 22 each. But your entitlement is 24. So the set up, as you've described it, guarantees that some employees will always lose some of their entitlement at the end of the year. That is illegal.

Basically, they need to employ more staff so that there can be more flexibility in holidays.

I think that 24 days includes Xmas day and Boxing Day and maybe bank holidays too!

It’s my husband who works there - he took the job before he knew of their stupid restrictions. He’s desperately trying to get out but no luck so far :-(

Previous employee tried to take their annual leave before it was lost - it coincided with AL of someone else - she got a solicitors letter for that!!

Does your holiday entitlement include bank holidays?

If so, what happens if you've used less than 20 days of your holiday days?
I believe the legal entitlement in England is 28 days, which can include bank holidays, so they may be within the law if they allow at least 20 days + bank holidays.

The arrangements definitely don't sound nice, that's a large chunk of your year off limits.