Holiday

Laurabeth38

Any advice would be greatly appriciated

A bit of background info first.

I work for a small company and within the company I am the only person who knows how to do my job. I did used to have "Back-up" in the form of another employee who had limited knowledge but could muddle along my work if I wanted to take holiday/was out of the office.

The "Back-up" has now left the company and I am now the only person.

Yesterday I had 1 weeks holiday authorised by one of the partners, but today, another one of the partners has said I cannot have the time off because there is no one to cover my work while I am gone.

Now I find this grossly unfair. There is nothing in my contract to say when I can, and can't take my holiday entitlement.

I know the woman who used to do my job before I took it over used to have 3 people to help her, and I have no-one.

The policy regarding holidays is, if you don't use it, you lose it. So by my employers not allowing me to take my holiday, they are preventing me from using it, I know it is illegal for them to not allow me to take my full holiday entitlement.

Any advice would be much appriciated

Thank you

elsien

Depending on the needs of the business, employers can say no at certain times. For example we cannot take holiday over Christmas.
So what you need to find out is the criteria that they are using to judge this - that way you shouldn't get the inconsistency between directors. What did they say when you said it had already been authorised?
And also say to them that if you can't take the specific week you requested, please can they give you the alternatives when you can take it - throw the ball back in their court.
What's your annual leave year - is it Jan - Dec or April to March? Just wondering how long you've got to fit it in.

Laurabeth38

The Holiday year is Jan - Dec, but because of the work I do it is not viable for me to take time off March - June because of the heavy work load during this period.

I wanted the first week of February off work, so I would have a week to relax before the busy time in March.

I have never been given rules on when I can and can't take my holiday for example I have never been told I can't take my holiday March to June, I choose not to take it at this time because it would be impossible for me to catch up.

The two directors who I am getting the conflicting information off, happen to really dislike each other and don't really speak, so I am piggy in the middle trying to get down to what I can and can't do.

heretolearn_2

They can say you can't have that specific week but they can't say you can never have holidays!

I think you need to solve their problem for them - is there someone else you can train to provide your back-up? Then suggest that to them, put together a training programme for them to approve, do it, and then no problem.

If there isn't, well you'll just have to ask them what they are planning to arrange to ensure cover is available so you can take your legally required leave.

I've been stuck in the middle of two directors at war before now and it's a nightmare, so you have my sympathy.

DCFC79

Its a bit mean to tell you you cant take the weeks holiday due to something out of your control meaning you cant ever take any holiday. Maybe time to look for another job.