Compulsory Meeting

nicechap

jessie2017 wrote: »

I was wondering if someone can give me some advice here.
In a few weeks time it is my niece's birthday and so over 8 months ago I booked time off. I have now learned that the annual staff meeting is during my holiday and attendance is compulsory. Can I refuse to attend as I booked that time off as holiday?

If I go I'll have to travel by train to see my niece. Can I ask my company to pay for ticket as it is an expense I am incurring as a result of going to the meeting.


cheerio

As others have said, the company can mandate when you take your leave so could cancel your booked leave if you point it out to them too early. If they cancel and its a half decent company, they will recompense you sunk costs.

It sounds as though the meeting is only for part of your planned leave and it doesn't actually clash with the birthday itself (can you clarify?). Again, a half decent company would stand you the return costs but you can probably get some cheap advance fares.

As the meeting is compulsory for everyone, it sounds like there might be information you might want to hear first hand - like redundancies or a take over? If you refuse to go, whilst the company can't send you to prison, they can certainly treat it as misconduct and make work life less bearable.

I'd start with an informal chat with my boss to gauge how "compulsory" it is and why.

Just one word of warning, don't believe posts that think you can simply not attend - check with your union/ CAB/ decent google search about leave entitlements.

getmore4less

Comms69 wrote: »

Im not sure that's correct?

Working time regulations 15.5.

RichardD1970

Lil306 wrote: »

Personally I would have thought they wouldn't have a leg to stand on. You booked a holiday well in advance, unless they're prepared to pay for any charges you would lose cancelling then I'd tell them to jog on.

You're entitled to time off in any job. You booked a holiday so take it.

That's just my opinion though. I'm not best person to give advice on this, if anyone in my job told me something was compulsory when I had already booked time off they'd be told where to go and if they sacked me over it or tried disciplinary I'd be going down the tribunal / HR route

Just to reiterate OP,

DO NOT follow this advice (I noticed you thanked the post).

RichardD1970

getmore4less wrote: »

Also the statutory notice can be overridden by contractual terms that could give the company the right to shorten any notice requirements.

I had always believed that statutory rights could only be altered to the betterment of the employee, not the detriment?

getmore4less

RichardD1970 wrote: »

I had always believed that statutory rights could only be altered to the betterment of the employee, not the detriment?

Not all rights.

SandraX

Dear OP

please let us know how you decided.

ATB and I'm sure it's going to be ok, but decide what you want before you are in contact with them

HNY

z1a

stator wrote: »

Yes your emloyer can cancel your holiday. The rule is that they have to give you the same notice as the length of the holiday. If you booked 5 days off they only have to give you 5 days notice to cancel your holiday.


You can ask for them to pay for your train ticket, but they don't have to.


I just hope you don't develop any illness over your holiday, it always seems to happen to me. Usually on the friday, sometimes even before I've finished work. I'm not joking either.

Thought it was twice as much notice as length of holiday.

getmore4less

z1a wrote: »

Thought it was twice as much notice as length of holiday.

That's to ask to take holiday or be told to take holiday.

Doshwaster

"Compulsory" meetings are often to do with redundancies or other restructurings. It's not as if you were planning on being away on holiday thousands of miles away but since it is just one day you may want to consider than attendance at the meeting might be more advantageous for your future career than attending your niece's birthday party.

getmore4less

back to the problem.

how much holiday have you booked?
what day is the b'day?
what day is the meeting?

Not sure why this train trip is necessary because of the meeting you would have to have got there anyway.