Holiday Entitlements

Abimoo12 · 06-01-2023 5:01pm #1

Hi all.

I'm new here. I had a question anout my holidays.

I've worked in an office admin role for 2 years on a small building company. Mostly men and me (female) and the female owner. In those 2 years I have 20 days holidays. I have been able to use them as I wished with permission from employer. I had also to keep a certain number of holidays for Christmas closure.

Went back to work yesterday and was told straight away that holidays had changed. They want to bring in builders holidays. So 2 weeks in Summer and 2 weeks for Christmas. We have never had this type of holiday arrangement before. But I know the men of the company hardly took any holidays last year. Thats not my fault.

My questions are:

Can my employer do this?

What happens if I need time off outside of this? I have a school going child. So might need time off for that or hospital appointment.

I have a family thing in May and I tried asking but got told we will see closer to the time. Does that mean she has suddenly realised its not going to work for me? I want to say its not going to work for me but not sure how I go about it. If she says tough then do I leave. Which isn't an option as I really like my job but can't wait until summer for time off. Ill go nuts. Any advice please? Thanks

Mrs OBumble · 06-01-2023 8:40pm

Yes, your employer can do this.

They have to consider your family circumstances- but that's not an absolute: Many of the other staff will likely also have school-age children, and face similar issues.

For people working in the building industry, which you are, builders holidays are part of the job. Extra time off is treated as leave without pay.