Can my employer force us to work Dec 26th?

Legacy_user

Do we have any rights? Can I ask to work Xmas Eve (scheduled on my day off) and have 26/12 off as more customers in on the former if I can't get 26/12 off?

amiehall

The short answer is yes they can tell you to take leave whenever they want provided enough notice is given (which it clearly has)

That said, I'm sure there is an amicable solution to be found here. Have you told your employer you'd prefer the 26th off? That might well be possible.

Takeaway_Addict

ScarletMarble wrote: »

Sorry talking about Xmas 2015.

As Dec 26th is on a Saturday, Boxing Day is therefore 28th Dec. As cannot have BHs on weekends.

My employer have allocated fewer hours for colleagues to book off 26/12. Though more on 28/12

Those that are contracted and cannot book it off are therefore forced to work 26/12!! I am angry as I am against my workplace and shops open on 26/12.

Some of us are Union members and our rep is on annual leave this week.

Do we have any rights? Can I ask to work Xmas Eve (scheduled on my day off) and have 26/12 off as more customers in on the former if I can't get 26/12 off?

Of course they can make you work it. Have you never seen companies open on Christmas day?

GothicStirling

So because you don't like workplaces and shops being open, means that the rest of the UK should bend to your will?


As you said, its in your contract.

notanewuser

PLENTY of time to find a new job between now and then, OP.

gettingtheresometime

Actually,just to be pedantic Boxing Day is still on 26th December, its just this year 28th December will be a Bank Holiday Monday

TELLIT01

Sorry scarletmarble but maybe you need to look for employment somewhere else.

pathtofreedom

it will come down to the wording of your contract I'd think and the employee handbook. If it says you're required to work bank holidays "as required" or something like that then you'll just have to buy your boss a big box of chocolates and beg otherwise you won't really have any other options.

KiKi

There is no right to Bank Holidays or Sundays off work unless it's in your contract. In employment law, in 2015 Boxing Day is simply a Sunday, nothing more, nothing less.

So yes, they can, but surely you can just talk to your manager about working a different day rather than taking the militant union approach?

KiKi

suicidebob

You've got a year to find another job

Takeaway_Addict

pathtofreedom wrote: »

it will come down to the wording of your contract I'd think and the employee handbook. If it says you're required to work bank holidays "as required" or something like that then you'll just have to buy your boss a big box of chocolates and beg otherwise you won't really have any other options.

No, actually they are only guaranteed off if the holidays state something along the lines of 20 days plus bank holidays (so the 26th wouldn't count as a bank holiday this year as its moved to the 28th)

If it doesn't say anything about bank holidays then the employee must presume they work them or need to book them off as normal.