Any vacation experts?

platypus · 28 Jul 2008 at 14:28

Just a quick one before I phone my brother-in-law..

We're being given a certain amount of time off over Christmas. Two working weeks basically, but due for whatever reason three of those days have to be taken from our annual leave. The office will be closed during this period.

Now, I don't want to take those days off, but I'm being told I have too. Can my company legally make me take those three days off, given that they're enforcing this on everyone?

panthro · 28 Jul 2008 at 14:33

Yes, they can.

platypus · 28 Jul 2008 at 14:39

Bugger. Any notional reason why?

sanaxe1 · 28 Jul 2008 at 14:43

because the offices will be closed?

platypus · 28 Jul 2008 at 14:57

But theres no real reason I can't come in. I have key card/biometric access.

Participant · 28 Jul 2008 at 15:27

They don't want people in the building over Christmas! It could be for insurance reasons, it could be that it's against company policy to have employees on-site on their own for health and safety reasons, it could be that no supervision = slackers getting paid for doing nothing on their own all day, etc..

Unfortuntely you have to take those days off. Anyway it's Christmas; why don't you want them off?

Ben M · 28 Jul 2008 at 15:28

Is vacation like holiday?

Sorry I'm not familiar with the word, I'm British.

Rotty · 28 Jul 2008 at 15:36

yes, many do this

bsoltan · 28 Jul 2008 at 15:47

I have to take a week off in August and in December. Both come out of my annual holiday.

platypus · 28 Jul 2008 at 16:11

Robbie G said:
Unfortuntely you have to take those days off. Anyway it's Christmas; why don't you want them off?

I don't celebrate Christmas, and have already got a week off anyway.

Participant · 28 Jul 2008 at 16:14

platypus said:
I don't celebrate Christmas, and have already got a week off anyway.

Tough; most of Britain does.

AdWright · 28 Jul 2008 at 16:16

The right to enforce you to take a number (usually 2-3) of days annual leave allowance on the employer's request is probably written into your contract. It is with mine (although they don't - I could work on Christmas day if I was feeling particularly masochistic)

platypus · 28 Jul 2008 at 16:31

Robbie G said:
Tough; most of Britain does.

What has that got to do with employment contracts? There is nothing in law about having to celebrate Christmas.

AdWright said:
The right to enforce you to take a number (usually 2-3) of days annual leave allowance on the employer's request is probably written into your contract. It is with mine (although they don't - I could work on Christmas day if I was feeling particularly masochistic)

I've been over my contract quite a few times. There is nothing in it about mandatory leave at Christmas, or any other time.

Participant · 28 Jul 2008 at 16:41

platypus said:
What has that got to do with employment contracts? There is nothing in law about having to celebrate Christmas.

Only that since most people celebrate it, many companies (including your own apparently) require staff to take time off over it. The fact that you do not celebrate it has absolutely nothing to do with it

.

I don't celebrate Easter but I still take the bank holiday!

platypus said:
I've been over my contract quite a few times. There is nothing in it about mandatory leave at Christmas, or any other time.

Then you may well have an argument.

AdWright · 28 Jul 2008 at 17:56

platypus said:
I've been over my contract quite a few times. There is nothing in it about mandatory leave at Christmas, or any other time.

Does your contract reference any other policies / Employee Handbook that you have agreed to abide by?