Holiday Freeze Next year - can they do this ?

[rookiemater]

Our area is working on something that is due to happen middle of next year. It is big and intense and we are under resourced.

I have heard rumours that they are going to impose a holiday freeze until August potentially give people some money to recompense them.

This is of no use to me, I need my holidays for childcare and prefer to be off work sometimes ?

Are companies allowed to do this ?

Do you have a contract? Mine explicitly says I may not be able to take my holidays when I want because of work commitments. Check what yours says

Oh crikey my contract is so old I doubt it will be correct any more. But surely even so they can't stop you taking holidays for 7 months of the year ?

OMG - I didn't read your OP properly. I thought it said no holiday in August, not until August! That seems a bit much that you can't have holiday for 3/4 of the year!

Don't know in that case - you could try sending flowerybeanbag a CAT or email (her address is on her profile) as she's an employment lawyer. Or wait for her to turn up on this thread

Ok thanks, if I don't respond it is because I am on holiday tomorrow for a week

The law doesn't say anything about when holiday must be taken, or spreading it evenly or anything like that. As far a the law is concerned, you must get your holiday. When you get it is between you and your employer.

So you need to look at your contract and/or any handbook or annual leave policy to see what the rules are about taking leave. I would guess the employer has the right to refuse requests. However you would be able to refuse to be paid in lieu of holiday, and you must at least get your statutory entitlement anyway.

Just seen LadyBiscuit's post, must clarify I am not a lawyer. Which I know some would consider to be a bonus...

You're not a lawyer?!

Well you give sterling HR advice and know employment law as well as most of the employment lawyers I know. And you are a very generous resource to everyone on MN

Thanks!

How many people are in your company? If everyone has to take their holidays within the same 5 months (assuming holidays are usually jan-dec) there'll be hardly any staff. I assume people would take 4-5 weeks at once as they haven't been able to spread them out.