Booking Holidays at work.

Traffic_Warden · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:24

Hi,

I recently put in a request to take 15 days holidays in December, leading up to Christmas.

The 15 days (3 weeks technically) I would be taking off would roll onto the Christmas Holidays that are statutory at my workplace (full-time).

They rejected my request to take these 15 days, for a reason of "you have to spread your holidays out, we will allow you to take one week (5 days) prior to Christmas, but not 15 days (3 weeks).

I'm unhappy with this, as I had things planned, as well as being entitled to my holidays, which I've gone all year without requesting for any up until now.................

I thought this much notice and only 15 days wouldn't be a problem, but they are seeing it as "taking a whole month of because christmas is right after".

Is there anything I can do to get my holidays I requested accepted? I've signed NO contract stating my holiday terms, when/when not to take them etc. Just a verbal "you get 20 days to take per year" (and 10 static holidays at Christmas).

It's probably a long shot. I guess their workplace, their rules when it comes to this.

Sonea Fifer · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:35

While I can understand and appreciate your workplace implementing their own discrepancies into your holiday application (IE - you would expect all of Christmas and New Year off if you worked in retail would you?) I've always been under the impression that your holidays were yours to take when they suited you, and given sufficient notice there's no real reason for your work to refuse your application!

Let me put it this way - if I went into work on Mon and requested the next three weeks off for a holiday I'd fully expect to be refused as I've not given them sufficient notice to provide adequate cover for my absence!

If I went into work on Mon and requested three weeks off from Dec 01st - Dec 21st and they refused due to insufficient notice or inadequate cover I'd be more than slightly annoyed as I've given plenty of prior notice for my manager to provide cover!

Psymonkee · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:35

Most places are like this! I can't take more than 2 weeks without writing to my Store Manager asking for permission and additionally I can't take holiday in the 3 weeks up to New Year or during Easter.

Suck it up and replan!

DirtyJester · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:40

Sonea Fifer said:
Let me put it this way - if I went into work on Mon....

You can't, you're on the sick remember

Jokester · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:42

It's pretty common for places not to allow you more than 2 weeks off at anyone time. Not many will let you take 5 weeks off in a row!

tom_e · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:45

Sonea Fifer said:
While I can understand and appreciate your workplace implementing their own discrepancies into your holiday application (IE - you would expect all of Christmas and New Year off if you worked in retail would you?) I've always been under the impression that your holidays were yours to take when they suited you, and given sufficient notice there's no real reason for your work to refuse your application!

Let me put it this way - if I went into work on Mon and requested the next three weeks off for a holiday I'd fully expect to be refused as I've not given them sufficient notice to provide adequate cover for my absence!

If I went into work on Mon and requested three weeks off from Dec 01st - Dec 21st and they refused due to insufficient notice or inadequate cover I'd be more than slightly annoyed as I've given plenty of prior notice for my manager to provide cover!

Unfortunately you're impression is wrong, your employer has full say over when you can and cannot take holiday for whatever reason they see fit.

ince · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:49

Unreasonable. You that is.

Traffic_Warden · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:52

ince said:
Unreasonable. You that is.

I wouldn't say unreasonable at all. I'm entitled to take them so why shouldn't they get accepted? It's not like we are over run with work... I'm sure they can survive by letting me have my holidays....It's much more reasonable then taking 20 days here and there, one day at a time... or maybe they would prefer that!

Sonea Fifer · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:53

DirtyJester said:
You can't, you're on the sick remember

Soosh you - this doesn't come into the OP's equation

Jokester said:
It's pretty common for places not to allow you more than 2 weeks off at anyone time. Not many will let you take 5 weeks off in a row!

Agreed - however many employers (mine included) will allow you to take a career break of up to XYZ weeks given sufficient notice.

tom_e said:
Unfortunately you're impression is wrong, your employer has full say over when you can and cannot take holiday for whatever reason they see fit.

Really?

What's the point of having holidays then if you can't take them when it suits you?

'Harry · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:56

Never make plans before your holiday is confirmed. This is simple logical thinking.

Traffic_Warden · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:59

'Harry said:
Never make plans before your holiday is confirmed. This is simple logical thinking.

That's true, and I understand that. They had no idea what I had planned to do on my holiday though, weather that be go abroad, or sit playing games all Christmas. Either way I still wanted my holiday

That's just my own inconvenience I suppose.

'Harry · 4 Sep 2013 at 21:03

Nowt you can do about it.

Most places I've worked you'd have to book any time in Dec a year in advance...

Kenai · 4 Sep 2013 at 21:03

Sonea Fifer said:
Really?

What's the point of having holidays then if you can't take them when it suits you?

Yes really, the point is so that you get a statutory minimum amount of time where you don't have to attend work but they're perfectly within their rights to tell you when you can and can't take that holiday time.

You'll very rarely find an employer who will dictate all your time to you but I would imagine the vast majority will not let you take a continuous three week period rolling into another 2 week stipulated break.

I'd have to get MD level permission to effectively 'attach' my choosable days onto our christmas break.

When leave can and can’t be taken

Employers can:

tell their staff to take leave, eg bank holidays or Christmas
restrict when leave can be taken, eg at certain busy periods

There may be rules about this in the employment contract or it may be what normally happens in the workplace. The notice period for this is at least twice as long as the leave they want their staff to take.

Rroff · 4 Sep 2013 at 21:03

Its been written into the contract of pretty much every job I've ever done that holidays over 2 weeks will only be considered on a case by case basis and its pretty common for employers to turn down extended holiday around christmas (depending a bit on the type of job).

With my employer we have to pre-book atleast half of our holidays (spread out over the year) by the end of May or they book them in for us (we can change it) and theres a few periods during the year we can't take off.

D.P. · 4 Sep 2013 at 21:17

The employer has full rights to dictate when and how the vacation days are used, e.g. not in the summer, or only 1 week at the most off, or you must take 2 weeks starting July 1st etc., etc.

Being able to choose when you take you vacation is a privilege, not a right. Be thankful you have vacation you can take off.

matthab · 4 Sep 2013 at 21:20

I can book most of XMAS off as were in change freeze from the 13th December. Just they wont let everyone off.

Does depend which sector your in.

Traffic_Warden · 4 Sep 2013 at 21:24

The Building Sector.

HardwareGeek · 4 Sep 2013 at 22:33

Policy where i am is if you give 5 weeks notice your request should be accepted except in exceptional circumstances.

Last year requested November off and was told no as i was doing some training and they thought it would be disruptive

Castiel · 4 Sep 2013 at 22:41

They only have a statutory obligation to ensure you have 5.6 weeks holiday each year (inclusive of bank holidays). They can, if they choose, stipulate when you take those holidays. Most firms will have a policy regarding holidays and how you can book them and for how long, but rarely will they allow more than 2 weeks together without prior agreement. If you have no contractual agreements in place then unfortunately you have no way to enforce a request.

I would suggest writing to HR and stating why you need the time off and if whether they can help you.

Castiel · 4 Sep 2013 at 22:44

D.P. said:
Being able to choose when you take you vacation is a privilege, not a right. Be thankful you have vacation you can take off.

While he has no right to dictate when he takes his holiday, he has no need to be thankful he has holiday as it is a statutory right and part of his remuneration. He earned it, it is not a gift.