Christmas working

chowells17

I work for a company that usually closes over the Christmas / New year period. I have worked for them for almost 12 years and in that time they have only opened once. All members of staff have to keep a weeks annual leave to cover the time. Management have now said they want us to work from December 27th. Can staff be forced to work, when it is traditional that we don't. It is less than 7 weeks to Christmas and all staff have kept holiday to cover the closure.
Anyone know where we stand legally?

AP007

if staff have kept holiday to cover the closure and now you wont be closed then lucky that you and others have more holiday to come. Yes they can make you work as its a normal working day.

Of course you don't have to work, just put in a holiday request.

paddedjohn

The company can dictate when you take your holidays as long as you are allowed to take your minimum entitlement. If your holiday year runs out at the end of December then they must give you the opportunity to take any remaining holidays before then.

davenport151

I have found myself in a similar situation this year in regards to the 27th. As I only work part time (and on set days -although these are not stipulated in my contract) This falls on my working day this year.
Though in the past five years I have not worked this day as we are allowed to have the bank hols off. This year it is a normal working day and I have requested it as such.
I am waiting on a decision on this as technically our company does not allow leave between mid December and 6th January. However being office based I cannot see there being a great demand for cover that day being between the xmas break and weekend. Most of the calls we get are from authorities that will be off anyway plus our main office is just staffed by clerical who will have the week off as well.
If its refused possibly the only thing I can do is make up the hours the week before.