employer wants to cancel my authorised leave

windowshopping

Wonder if anyone knows where I stand? any advice would be great.
I have got a weeks holiday from work due to start 2 weeks today, not got anything planned but have had a really tough few months and just need a week rest, however my employer has just asked me if I could cancel this leave as someone else has gone off long term sick and they don't have anyone else to cover. I said I'm really sorry but if I don't take this week off I'll be ill myself, she wasn't very happy and seems to now be ignoring me.
Question is, can she legally good ahead and cancel my leave?

getmore4less

What is in the contract about holidays

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?r.s=sc&r.l1=1073858787&r.lc=en&r.l3=1074414642&r.l2=1073858926&r.i=1074414966&type=RESOURCES&itemId=1081597944&r.t=RESOURCES


covers some of the info you need

I have always assumed that once approved they are contractual and need both side to agree to any change.

Can you come to a comprimise for example take a few long weekend in a row.

Anihilator

It's unlikely she will force you to work however think about next time you need her to help you out with something. Hope you don't need half days for appointments or short term leave in future.

windowshopping

In reply Anihilator, everyother job I wouldn't hesitate to cancel my leave if needed but on the 2 rare occasions (in 4 years)that I've had to attend hospital appointments I've been told that i have to use a days holiday. my boss is a bully and indeed when i requested my holiday she told me that in this day and age I should be grateful that I've got a job and not be selfish taking holidays!!

trixietoes

Your boss sounds like a right witch.

Of course many unexpected situations come up within a working environment and it should be give and take on both sides. Once the employer starts forgetting that (like in your case) staff are less inclined to 'help out' in times of crisis.

Have you spoken to your HR dept? Or checked your staff handbook? I would .. and also find out the company position re hospital appointments... my employer wouldn't make us take holiday for it, it is classed as 'appointments' so not even sick leave.

DVardysShadow

Anihilator wrote: »

It's unlikely she will force you to work however think about next time you need her to help you out with something. Hope you don't need half days for appointments or short term leave in future.

windowshopping wrote: »

In reply Anihilator, everyother job I wouldn't hesitate to cancel my leave if needed but on the 2 rare occasions (in 4 years)that I've had to attend hospital appointments I've been told that i have to use a days holiday. my boss is a bully and indeed when i requested my holiday she told me that in this day and age I should be grateful that I've got a job and not be selfish taking holidays!!

Well, there you go Anihilator, perhaps your line should be that the boss should be thinking about whether the employee will remember being forced to take a day's leave for a hospital appointment when the boss needs a favour.

Suggest OP smirks and tells boss 'Sorry, can't cover, I have hospital appointments every day.' I think as far as I would go would be to move the leave to another agreed set of dates. I certainly would not give up my booked leave without another authorised period being in the bag.

windowshopping

thanks for all replies, certainly if my previous 2 employers would have asked me to cancel my leave if I had nothing planned i would be only to happy to oblige but in this case I class it as 'what goes around comes around'!
If anything it may make her rethink her atitude to her employees!

getmore4less

I would think beyond just this holiday request given the rest of your info about the Boss

How long is this sickness lkely to be what are the plans to replace this worker?

If no cover how are you going to take the rest of your holidays?

Time to consider if some negotiation on renumeration is due.

Or a bonus for helping out.

mose_2

Sounds like my boss, all one way traffic, tell her to poke it and put your feet up!

corgiman

Sounds like my manager and i work for the NHS managers seem to forget we workers have rights

robredz

If you had planned and booked a holiday, I would ask for a letter cancelling my leave to give to the travel insurance to support a claim regarding cancellation. As you haven't, anything planned and the employer most likely, knows this, you could hint at last minute deals on a holiday. Otherwise you could try to negotiate some advantage like bonus or time off in lieu, when they have to get an agency worker to cover for when you go off with stress.