Employer forcing annual leave

Deadite87

Our company has furloughed some staff whilst others continue on. All of us received an email saying that we had to take 12 days annual leave by the end of June 30th. Surely this can't be enforced? Especially for those on furlough since technically they are unemployed. I usually save up my holiday for later in the year anyway since the summer months aren't kind to new so I begrudge having to waste over 2 weeks, especially when I can't leave the house! Any thoughts?

BrassicWoman

Yes, this can be enforced. 

Imagine getting g your employees back after being shut for, say, four months.

then they all want all of their summer holidays at the same time.

it won’t work.

Confusedezza

Personally I think everyone who has been furloughed should 'lose' some holidays as a result of all of this (I'm on furlough too, by the way). Let's face it, we've all had a good break/rest, our respective businesses need us back getting them going again, and for everyone to take even more time off could be a disaster. Okay, it may mean no proper holiday this year, but some people have had to make much bigger sacrifices than that.
 

Thrugelmir

Where are you hoping to go on holiday to?  Options maybe limited for some time. 

sharpe106

They legally have to give you twice as long notice as they want you to take. So they have given you more than that.

Deadite87

Thrugelmir said:

Where are you hoping to go on holiday to?  Options maybe limited for some time. 

My job results in burnout a lot. I don't take holiday to go anywhere, I take it unwind and recuperate. As do a lot of other people in my company. We work in live sport so once we go back and it's going to be hectic and overwhelming and expecting people to work through months with no holiday (after what will have been a traumatic event for many) seems unfair. I understand not wanting people to all take leave at the same time but that's no different to usual, things can still be arranged as far as cover is concerned and I feel like we should be allowed to carry days over. I thought the government had even suggested something to that effect. 

sharpe106

The government has said that you can, but it will be the employers that will have to arrange that. So most would want staff to take it now whilst there is no work. When does your annaul leave start? as 12 days by the end of june will still give you plenty to take later on in the year. Or the alternative is that if holidays later on are that important to you then you can take it of as unpaid leave.

Deadite87

sharpe106 said:

The government has said that you can, but it will be the employers that will have to arrange that. So most would want staff to take it now whilst there is no work. When does your annaul leave start? as 12 days by the end of june will still give you plenty to take later on in the year. Or the alternative is that if holidays later on are that important to you then you can take it of as unpaid leave.

Our holiday goes from January and we have to take 3 days out of it for Christmas. I feel like taking unpaid leave kind of defeats the point if it's about not having everyone off at the same time. But I'll certainly do that if need be. 

sharpe106

It mean theys can get staff to use it now when they have no work, so when work is coming in they are fully staffed. So either be easier for you as more staff around or the company can get extra work so keep your jobs safe.

7Phil

Here is a good article from ACAS if you feel the answers above are unfair: https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus/using-holiday

In short, yes, they can make you take leave as holidays (at full pay) during this period but they should also talk to you about it and take your concerns and welfare in to account.

If they are only asking you to take up to half your annual leave by June 30 then that does seem reasonable.

onwards&upwards

Lots of employers have policies about spacing your leave out through the year so that there isn’t a rush to get it all in towards the end, leaving them short staffed.  This just seems to be replicating that.  You won’t be left with none for the rest of the year, you’ll be left with roughly the right amount. 

I work in the NHS, we’re being asked to cancel our leave if we possibly can to keep helping.