Holidays as part of notice period

[ClerkMaxwell]

Handed in my notice in last week - 3 months notice period. Asked to take a couple of weeks of holiday as part of my notice period to finish up two weeks earlier than 3 months.. However on Friday, US boss tells me that I'm expected to work the entire 3 months (they will pay me for holidays). Checked contract and sure enough it says holidays may be taken but no absolute right to take them as part of notice (probably to safeguard US staff with 2 week notice going immediately). Any ideas how I could get the holidays?

I have been rammed with work and have had 2.5 days off (including floating public holidays) since Christmas so would really like a couple of weeks off. Would even accept not taking holidays at end. Could ask new employer to wait longer for me but they originally wanted someone next month so are already waiting some time for me. New employer is a current customer whose accounts I work on so they know fine well I will work to my usual levels during the notice period. DH suggested pulling a few sickies but I'd feel bad.

If it's in the contract i'm not sure if you can insist on getting the holidays :(

However, I'm sure if would be deemed completely unreasonable to expect someone to work for the best part of 9 months with no holidays. Most employers want you to space your holidays throughout and most insist that you would be at least half way through your entitlement by the end of the summer (assuming your holiday year starts in Jan).

Are you a member of a union that could support?

Have you tried ACAS?

I don't generally agree with taking sick leave if you aren't sick. That said, IF you were going to be off sick, then I can't see that there is any better time to do it other than in the middle of a global pandemic with sketchy testing opportunities. just saying...