AIBU to ask for help in challenging this new work policy.

[knockitonthehead]

Does anyone else work for a company that does/is looking to enforce when holiday is taken?

I have just received an email with an attachment that a manager wants to send to their side of the business, forcing employees to take 25% of their holiday each quarter. We run basic holiday with an additional day for LOS. So the most that someone outside of management can take under the new rule is 7 days. The reasoning is that too many people wanted time around the same months.

I have the following shift patterns and basic allocations:
Office staff - M to F - BH closed - 20 days (management 25 - 30 days)
4on4off staff - 24 hour side of business - 22.5 days (who usually book 8 days to get 12 days off)
Other manual - M to F inc BH - 28 days

We already have an issue with staff retention due to our low wages and people feeling overworked as we run very lean, and now no one can have a two week break?!?

We also have lots of parents who save 2 weeks for school holidays so I can see an influx of unpaid parental leave.

Hive mind…. I want to challenge this. Please help me do so. Am I missing something blindingly obvious legally?

Oh, watching as my work is also trying to do this. They have already reduced the amount of time in lieu they allow me to collect.

“While I appreciate the need for operational stability, the proposed quarterly requirement raises legal and practical concerns. UK regulations permit mandatory leave, but only with sufficient notice and clear contractual agreement. The current approach may unintentionally harm retention, flexibility, and staff well-being especially for parents or those needing extended time off. Could we discuss a more balanced, flexible framework that meets coverage needs while respecting legal and personal considerations?”

Sounds like a quick way to lose employees and struggle recruiting...

My DH’s work mandates everyone takes 2 weeks in July when it shuts down. They also have to take a week off at Christmas.

I don't know if times have changed but when I first started work shutdowns were commonplace, always made groups holidays inflexible in dates. I assume factories still have them

excellent response!

Crikey, that will go down well. I’m not sure you need to challenge it. I think all the staff affected will make their feelings very clear.

We have this as a target - I understand why as if leave isn’t spread out then lots of people want school hols for example and this would make the service unsafe