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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Employer doesn't let me take annual leave for more than 2 days in a row

180 replies

Acidburn · 07/08/2021 09:54

Posting here for traffic.
I work for a very small company, there are 2 other employees and director. We sre crazy busy, the business is doing great. The problem is - my boss (the director) doesn't allow me to take annual leave for more than 2 consecutive days. He is not oppose the idea of me going on annual leave (that would be against the law), but his idea is that I should be taking long weekends, take odd days here and there and this way to cover my annual leave allowance. He doesnt let me take 5 days off because the workload is crazy.
Is what he is doing legal? Technically he allows me to take my days, its just my days are spread... Does anyone know anything about the legal side of this?
Thanks

OP posts:
MiddleParking · 07/08/2021 09:58

It is technically legal for them to choose your annual leave, ridiculously. I would look for another job ASAP. What a prick.

TracyLords · 07/08/2021 09:59

I’d contact ACAS about this. But I would also be looking for another job. This is awful for work life balance

Topofthepopicles · 07/08/2021 10:00

I don’t know but it’s flipping weird. Get a new job!

bonfireheart · 07/08/2021 10:00

Is it just for the busy period or is it always like this?

Cyw2018 · 07/08/2021 10:02

Look for another job and when you leave make it clear to him why you left.

NuffSaidSam · 07/08/2021 10:02

I think legally this is allowed, as long as you get your holiday entitlement then it can be distributed however your employer likes.

I don't think he'll keep his staff for long though with this policy!

Are you in a position to negotiate? Surely it's better for him that you take a week off than leave altogether?! Maybe point that out to him.

Twoforthree · 07/08/2021 10:03

I can understand for a temporary busy period but not all year, or even all summer.

pinkcircustop · 07/08/2021 10:04

Yes, it’s legal as employers can dictate when and how you take your annual leave. But I would find another job if I were you.

Warsawa31 · 07/08/2021 10:04

I've never heard of that before - people need breaks away from work longer than a long weekend over the course of a year ...

As a director I'm sure he stands to benefit hugely from your continued contribution, at your expense of course

OwlinaTree · 07/08/2021 10:07

It's unreasonable to expect no-one to want to take a longer holiday than a couple of days.

Original poster
Acidburn · 07/08/2021 10:09

I have been working here for over year and a half. And i haven't been on a holiday lastingnlonger than 2 days...
I am looking for another job. But right now I feel completely defeated, because I allowed me to take next week off, but 30 min before I had to leave work yesterday - he called me in to say he is cancelling 2 days next week, and I have to come to work. He will review the situation in October.

OP posts:
Etulosba · 07/08/2021 10:09

It is legal. There was a similar thread a couple weeks ago.

I once applied for a job where this was a condition. It was made clear at the interview stage though and at that point I declined the job.

Original poster
Acidburn · 07/08/2021 10:11

He allowed me*

OP posts:
AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 07/08/2021 10:11

@Topofthepopicles

I don’t know but it’s flipping weird. Get a new job!
Not that weird, I read a thread about this same issue not that long ago. Unless it's the same OP

I'm sure the advice then was that it"s perfectly legal

MMMarmite · 07/08/2021 10:14

What a dick. I'd be job hunting like mad too.

2pinkginsplease · 07/08/2021 10:14

Your employer is being unreasonable!

I'd be looking for a new job.

Bufferingkisses · 07/08/2021 10:15

It isn't legal.to cancel leave at that short notice I believe. He needs to give you something like 2 x the cancelled leave warning? Hmm, I guess, if he cancels Thursday and Friday on Friday that may, just, qualify? It's really not good form though!

insancerre · 07/08/2021 10:15

Does he take more than 2 days?

StCharlotte · 07/08/2021 10:16

What happens when "all this is over" and you want to go on actual holiday? Like most people? Does no one get to go to Spain for week or Greece for a fortnight?

SimonedeBeauvoirscat · 07/08/2021 10:17

I think employers have to give notice for holiday changes which is at least as long as the length of time taken off. So if you’re taking a week then he needs to give you at least a week’s notice of any changes. But check that with ACAS.

Bedsheets4knickers · 07/08/2021 10:17

Just get yourself out and give the shortest amount of notice possible . It might be legal but it's really unfair and quite cruel .
What do the others think of having no decent holiday time ?

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 07/08/2021 10:18

I’m not sure he can cancel leave with that little notice. I thought he had to give as much notice as the length of the holiday in order to cancel your leave. I’d try ACAS.

nanbread · 07/08/2021 10:18

I'd take those days off he's cancelled as sick leave personally, how are you meant to preserve your mental health living like this

findingabra · 07/08/2021 10:18

@Bufferingkisses

It isn't legal.to cancel leave at that short notice I believe. He needs to give you something like 2 x the cancelled leave warning? Hmm, I guess, if he cancels Thursday and Friday on Friday that may, just, qualify? It's really not good form though!
No, it’s not 2x.

Employers can cancel annual leave but they must give the same amount of notice of the leave, so if you booked a day off and they want to cancel they only need give a days notice, but if it’s a week and they want to cancel that week they need to give a weeks notice.

GreenNettle · 07/08/2021 10:18

As the leave had already been agreed in this case I think the employer needs to give notice of cancellation equal to the days agreed plus 1 day so he was too late in informing you.

Longer term I’d definitely look for another job.

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