Holiday denied because of religious event

[JustRaven]

I requested a few days off next month and it's been denied because of a religious observance taking place at the same time. I've been told I can't take any holiday until this period has ended. I checked the holiday calendar and no one else has any holiday booked for this time, yet my request has still been denied. I would be more understanding if it was an actual religious holiday but the vast majority isn't, just a few days at the end which is not when I requested my holiday for.

I've been at my job for a fair few years and never been told that I can't take holiday off during this time before. I was just wondering if this is even legal?

Yes. Employers can deny leave requests for no reason at all - or they could even dictate all your holiday dates.

Your employer can refuse annual leave for any reason.

You have to be able to use all your leave each year but they can dictate when that is.

It sounds like a very odd reason, but it is legal as the employer can refuse leave for any reason or for no reason.

What does it actually have to do with your job? It sounds downright odd to me.

Which religious holiday?

Do you work for a religious organization?

Yes it sucks but your employer can deny any holiday or tell you when to take it. A team member at my previous job was denied a weekday off for his own wedding. Where my brother works, he has to take a week off at xmas.

There are statutory notice periods but otherwise, yes, it's legal.

It will be for Ramadan and then Eid. If no one else is off that time then I would be asking why the holiday can’t be honoured.

It can be Easter and lent too.

But yes absolutely would question why if no one else have requested it off.

oh yes true I hadn’t thought about Easter as it’s early this year. Plus work don’t really do it as religious observance that’s why j thought Ramadan straight away .

Yeah they are early! I though it might be either, but lent and Easter sounds more like "not religious holidays/observance until last few days" rather than Ramadan considering the fasting differences and ramped up mosque visits daily etc. (as in more people go rather than pray at home).

Is it possible a colleague is working more flexible hours or shorter hours to allow them to attend their mosque more or for other religious observances over this period? Depending on your work this might leave you short at busy times. Though as PP have said legally they can just say no.

Depends on employer. I was people utilise flexi or that and in employer before that switch up shifts to do evening/night. So yeah that can be that. But it's very religious spiritual event not just Eid at the end.

Ah yes perhaps it is this. Could you ask them for clarification?