Being told when to take holidays... (oh and overtime)

[Pinkginxx]

This hasn't happened as yet but have a feeling it's coming so want to be armed for it...
We've just signed a new contract, massive deal and it's going to take a lot of work. We're already struggling under our current work and there's been mutterings and hints that we're going to have a talk about holiday restrictions in the near future (company has got form for this). The unofficial heads up is we're going to be told no holidays starting June until at least September. I take the majority of my leave in summer months, have taken/booked a grand total of 2 days so far. Have checked my employment manual and it says nothing either way - just tells me my annual holiday entitlement. Do I have any argument here?

I've also been given the heads up that we're going to be told to do evening / weekend overtime. Not confirmed if we'll be paid for it (employment manual says overtime may be required as per business need). For a couple of reasons this is going to be quite difficult for me, especially if unpaid as it changes my travel requirements and will add a minimum of £20 commuting costs. Again, do I have any argument?

I'm all for supporting the company, and it's fantastic that we've got a great opportunity, but this is just tipping the work / life balance too much.

Any advise greatly appreciated. Forewarned if forearmed and all that!

Companies can dictate whrn you takr annual leave as long as they allow you to take your full entitlement.

For example, retail no annual leave over xmas and summer sale season is pretty standard.

Not sure on overtime,especially if it is unpaid

Where I work nobody is allowed to submit holiday for December until November and we are only allowed a maximum of 2 days for the week before and after Christmas
We also have a rule that says 5 days have to be taken before April, then 10 between April and September and then 5 between September and December

So, yes, they can tell you when you can take your holiday

I think they can tell you when to take holiday but they can’t stop you from having it at all.
Overtime I’m not sure.
If you’re a very highly paid professional then there may be an expectation that you work and get the job done, otherwise I can’t see how they can just add extra hours (unpaid) to your contract unilaterally.
This would effectively reduce your hourly pay and incur extra expense for you. How long have you worked there?
However I think I would be looking for another job.

The other posters are correct regarding holidays. They must allow you to take your entitlement but they can dictate when you take it.

With respect to overtime, it depends what your contract says. If your contract says you must work overtime then it is compulsory. However, they cannot force you to work more than an average of 48 hours a week.

How can they force you to work for no pay?

would unpaid overtime take you below nmw?

As long and when you divide your monthly salary by the hours you worked in that month it equals more than minimum wage the overtime can be unpaid.
If you've been at the company for under 2 years they'd be able to get rid of you pretty easily if you refused. You'd be a little safer if you've been there more than 2 years.
But then again can they afford to lose you if they're so busy?

How can they force you to work for no pay

If the contract requires unpaid overtime, the employer is entitled to force the employee to work unpaid overtime provided the pay divided by the hours worked is at least the national minimum wage.