Forced to take annual leave

mjkk77

Hi all,
I am a key worker currently working full time and everyone in the company have been urged by our HR department that we must take 14 days of a/l prior to 30th September. Is that legal? Our holiday year runs with tax year and I am only eligible for 21 days of a/l (with company just over a year).

JReacher1

Yes it is unfortunately 

also the word urged sort of implies it’s not mandatory?  What happens if you don’t do this. 

Undervalued

It is perfectly lawful for any employer to instruct an employee to take annual leave at any time, just by giving notice of twice the length of the leave they require you to take. So, giving you a window of five months in which to take 14 days leave is actually a good deal more flexible than they are obliged to be.

Although no longer common, it is perfectly lawful for an employer to close for 28 days per year and allow no other annual leave whatsoever!

TELLIT01

The employer may also be introducing this in order to avoid employees burning themselves out.  Many key workers will, I suspect, feel guilty about taking holiday at this time so being forced to take time off may be the only way to ensure they take a break.

mjkk77

TELLIT01 said:

The employer may also be introducing this in order to avoid employees burning themselves out.  Many key workers will, I suspect, feel guilty about taking holiday at this time so being forced to take time off may be the only way to ensure they take a break.

Very good point, shame our HR dep haven't put this in perspective.

Thank you all!