Christmas Leave

antodeco

Hi all,
Just a question. If my employer is closed over Christmas, can they force you to take annual leave when they are not open? My thoughts wouldve been that I could choose to just not be paid for the time they are not open, rather than having to use 3 days annual leave.

Thanks

uck51js9zml2yt

Yes they can.
You probably have to use up your leave by year end anyway.

What's the point of not being paid?

antodeco

I have no annual leave left, as it was all already used. As a result they said I've to use next years annual leave to cover it?

I'd rather have my full allocation and just not be paid for this year (I'll need the AL next year due to a couple of families things coming up).

Mrs OBumble

Did they offer you the option of unpaid leave? Some companies have a policy of not allowing it.

Bandana boy

In short yes they can force you to use annual leave, and as long as the closure was notified to you a reasonable time in advance you have pretty much no leg to stand on.

Is closing at Xmas not a usual occurence for this company ?

antodeco

It does close for Christmas. The problem is that I had used all of AL before they said we needed to hold onto days.

dobsdave

antodeco wrote: »

It does close for Christmas. The problem is that I had used all of AL before they said we needed to hold onto days.

Has your company policy changed or is this your first christmas there?
Were you refused the option of unpaid

Mrs OBumble

antodeco wrote: »

It does close for Christmas. The problem is that I had used all of AL before they said we needed to hold onto days.

If it's your first Christmas in the workforce, then my sympathies - chalk it up as a learning experience.

Otherwise - your own fault for not realising and budgeting your time accordingly. Christmas close-downs should not be a surprise to you.

Maybe you'll have to make some hard decisions about which family events you do and don't take part in next year.

Blackwell

Most places would give you the option of taking the days at your own expense. If you were unaware you had to keep a few days for xmas it's surprising you were allowed to use your days during the year. They are at least partially at fault here.

seamus

Carrying over negative annual leave is pretty standard in these cases. Unpaid leave is more hassle from a salary calculation point of view, so companies tend to shy away from it.

antodeco

Thanks guys.

First Christmas in the job. I used my holidays early and nothing had been said (they let me take them no questions asked).

I'll know for next year!