Leave and Furlough

debbilou

My Daughter had 11 weeks on Furlough, returning 5 weeks ago to her job in an Opticians, her Manager has told everyone that they cannot book any holidays this year at all  She has also said that one weeks holiday will be used up during furlough and as they got paid 80% they will get the extra 20% in next months pay. (If that makes sense)
Can they do this? My daughter did not have any leave booked during Furlough and not happy that they are taking a weeks leave off her

jimkelly

They can only make you take holiday (paid at 100%, not 80%) if they give you enough forewarning.  I think it's 2 weeks notice for 1 weeks holiday, but someone else can clarify.

It sounds like they are trying to apply this retrospectively though, which they cannot do.

In terms of cancelling all leave, this would depend on the employment contract.  In certain professions, this is possible albeit usually only temporarily.  5 months sounds a bit draconian.  Perhaps asking for an odd day off like on a Friday/Monday to make a long weekend may be acceptable to them?

If they don't allow that, assuming the annual leave is from April - March, then they're going to have all your daughters colleagues taking their remaining 3 weeks leave at the same time during January - March 2021, so they're kind of cutting their nose off to spite their face.  I'd suggest don't rock the boat for now and they'll soon realise they're creating an even bigger problem for themselves.

debbilou

thanks for the advice jimkelly

bradders1983

Your daughter has just had months off at either full pay or near full pay, and has gone back to a job. May I kindly suggest she doesnt look a gift horse in the mouth.

JCS1

You can carry more days over into subsequent holiday year at the moment, the company still needs to agree to this though.

adamp87

bradders1983 said:

Your daughter has just had months off at either full pay or near full pay, and has gone back to a job. May I kindly suggest she doesnt look a gift horse in the mouth.

I understand the sentiment but it doesn’t mean people should just lose their rights as a result.

Theres nothing wrong with querying the policy for the next 5 months. 

Most likely any holiday accrued or a good chunk should of or will need to be used so that everyone isn’t all rushing for holidays as it won’t be possible to give them, so she’ll most likely have to have some give & take here.