forced annual leave but holiday already paid for

concerneduk2020

Hi, I was hoping someone could help me, my employer has asked that all employees take the majority of our annual leave in the next couple of months. However I have a three week holiday booked and paid for in November. I can't currently get a refund on my holiday but my employer's request will not leave me with enough annual leave left to take my trip. If I cancel the trip I will be over £1000 out of pocket on flights alone. I am in a part of the business that is still really busy at the moment and am able to work from home. Can anyone advise on what my rights are here please? 

[Deleted User]

What did they say when you spoke to them about the problem you face?

Undervalued

concerneduk2020 said:

Hi, I was hoping someone could help me, my employer has asked that all employees take the majority of our annual leave in the next couple of months. However I have a three week holiday booked and paid for in November. I can't currently get a refund on my holiday but my employer's request will not leave me with enough annual leave left to take my trip. If I cancel the trip I will be over £1000 out of pocket on flights alone. I am in a part of the business that is still really busy at the moment and am able to work from home. Can anyone advise on what my rights are here please? 

Next to zero I'm afraid.

Even in normal times an employer can instruct an employee to take annual leave just by giving notice twice as long as the leave they want them to take.

The can also cancel leave that has been booked by following a similar procedure. There is some argument to be made that if the leave was booked using the employer's laid down procedure then some compensation is due if the employee is out of pocket.

However there is also the argument that as the law allows the employer to cancel the "booked" leave, that is the risk the employee takes.

In the current climate I would think long and hard before arguing!

concerneduk2020

Deleted_User said:

What did they say when you spoke to them about the problem you face?

I haven't had a response from them.

elsien

Deleted_User said:

What did they say when you spoke to them about the problem you face?

This. They may be willing to make exceptions in some circumstances if you genuinely do have enough work to get on with now. Alternatively you could ask to take the days that aren't covered as unpaid leave. 

Undervalued

concerneduk2020 said:

Deleted_User said:

What did they say when you spoke to them about the problem you face?

I haven't had a response from them.

Well all you can do is ask nicely I'm afraid, they may well agree or compromise.

Andy_L

Will your travel insurance pay out if your employer cancels your booked leave?