Work cancelling a pre booked holiday

FeFiDoh · 15 Aug 2011 at 12:29

I had a holiday booked before starting my current job and informed them so I could get it off. It was from last Tuesday til today I wanted off, they gave me the Monday-Fri with Saturday as my 1 day off in the week and then holiday for today.

As we work a rotating day off I should have had today as holiday and then 1 more day off in the week. When I got back yesterday I had my payslip and a note from them telling me what I am doing next week and that today is my "day off".

I rang the HR lady to ask about it as on my holiday sheet today is holiday not my rotated day off, we don't usually know what day that will be until Thursday for the next week. She said because they are short staffed today is no longer holiday but my day off in the week and they owe me one day.

Now I know I most likely won't get this 1 day when I want it due to being "short staffed" and it being given to me like my next holiday was with very little choice.

Can they actually do this though? It seems a bit out of order that when my payslip arrives on a Thursday and I am away I get a note telling me that 1 day holiday has been cancelled.

iamtheoneneo · 15 Aug 2011 at 12:37

1 day holiday? what were you doing? it happens , id refuse to work if i booked a week + off and actual holiday to boot, but one day ain't exactly the end of the world. especially if you have said at any point that you werent going to do anything with that day.

Burnsy2023 · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:00

Tell that to all the police officers who have had their holidays cancelled with no compensation.

FeFiDoh · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:02

My actual holiday was from last week until today, I got back last night hence why I also had today booked off, I didn't book just 1 day off to do nothing. I have stuff to do and still do now I am home.

[TW]Fox · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:10

Burnsy2023 said:
Tell that to all the police officers who have had their holidays cancelled with no compensation.

What difference will that make to his situation, I doubt he has a police employment contract?

Burnsy2023 · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:13

[TW]Fox;19835249 said:
What difference will that make to his situation, I doubt he has a police employment contract?

The relevance was that it's not uncommon for people to have holiday cancelled and not reimbursed, therefore although he should check his contract don't be surprised if he just has to lump it.

matthab · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:16

It really depends what your situation is like with you bosses/managers.

Would you rather kick up a fuss and say not my problem were short staffed and fight it out. Or could you rebook your holiday while talking to you boss and just explain your not happy about it.

Its 1 day not the end of the world, but is it worth ****ing people off.

Sin_Chase · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:22

Burnsy2023 said:
The relevance was that it's not uncommon for people to have holiday cancelled and not reimbursed, therefore although he should check his contract don't be surprised if he just has to lump it.

Not uncommon in fields that demand such flexibility from their staff. If the OP is a cashier in a local supermarket it's hardly the same though is it? They can run 1 man down, different scenario when the Police have to deal with rioting - for example.

It will be down to his contract but in 'regular' contracts it's not common to have a clause that allows cancellation of holiday without notice, certainly not without justification.

Gaijin · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:46

Burnsy2023 said:
The relevance was that it's not uncommon for people to have holiday cancelled and not reimbursed, therefore although he should check his contract don't be surprised if he just has to lump it.

Slightly different though isn't it. When you become a copper you know the responsibilities you are taking on.

Burnsy2023 · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:49

Gayjin said:
Slightly different though isn't it. When you become a copper you know the responsibilities you are taking on.

Fair enough, point made.

topdog@OC · 15 Aug 2011 at 13:56

Contracts and company guidelines aside, rough government guidelines are that an employee gives 2x the time off period as minimum notice, and the employer would give notification of any cancellation or adjustment within 1x that duration (so if you wanted 2 weeks hols, you give 4 weeks notice at minimum, and when you get down to the last 2 weeks before it is time for you to go, the employer should avoid any sudden retractions).

These are only guidelines though and not requirements. To find out on the day of your holiday beginning or any time during it that it is NOT a holiday though, is less than reasonable and should be your discretion (some people wouldn't mind it, but shouldn't be obligated).

Really up to you how to play it from here, you could seek info from CAB if you feel really agrieved by it, or you might just 'lump it' but be sure to bring it up when next you're seeking some flexibility from their side and/or any pay/performance reviews you may have, as an example of your own flexibility in the matter, so that it has a chance of the 'favour' being recognised/returned back to you.

FeFiDoh · 15 Aug 2011 at 14:14

I know it is only a day and it sounds like I am being a drama queen but I almost never got the holiday due to a different information I was told from them before starting.

I also didn't get a say in my next holiday period as it is "when they can fit me in" so yeah its one day but its one day that was cancelled when I am away so find out when I get back and probably won't be able to get it when I want it.