Could be a bit of a complicated on so apologies for length.
DH's company is a fairly big one, few branches round the world etc..
DH gets th standard 28 days holiday a year, 20 he can book effctively and 8 bank holidays.
They have always told employees to keep 4 days holiday back for a ten day shutdown over christmas which is great. I know how they work as I used to work there as a PA and I did all the holiday bookings. Normally they would automatically "book" these four days on the system for everybody and if sales people chose to work over xmas they would get the days pay at double rate.
Anyway, they have said the same this year, only they still havent made it clear whether they are going to shut down. They have said they would like to stay open over christmas. so have not booked anyones holidays on the system.
DH cant seem to get a straight answer from his line manager who just gets arsey with anyone who asks. Clearly the decision is coming above him, but as a line manager he is the employers voice.
Anyway, few people are wooried as christmas gets closer, I know we normally go away for part of it. About 4 months ago DH booked 3 days off over the christmas period but said willingly he would work the other days, only leaving us with a weekend away. The company have declined them about a month later but still not giving anyone a decision on whether they are closing down or able to take holidays over christmas?
The holiday allocation starts again Jan. So potentially DH could lose these four days and I know they wont always pay them out.
Where does he stand legally? He dosnt care if he has to work over christmas but would like to know one way or the other so we can make plans.
I will be heavily pregnant over christmas and already suffering with a budging disk in my back which I am expecting to be ten times worse by the time xmas reaches us!
Any advice?