Not taking leave

Marvel1

Apart from losing it if I don't use it, what are the implications for me or the company if I don't use all my stationary leave? 

I tried Google, but results are mainly entitlement, survey results and reasons to take leave.  Not what I'm looking for.

AskAsk

why don't you want to take annual leave?
normally people can carry them forward to the next year or get them paid if the employer request that they work.
but otherwise, if you lose them as you haven't used them, then that is your loss.  no other consequence as far as i am aware.

[Deleted User]

Isn't there a legal requirement to take x number of days.

My old employer told me that for each calendar year (or maybe holiday year) you must take at least 1 full working week, not sure if that is their own policy or regulation

AskAsk

nerox said:

Isn't there a legal requirement to take x number of days.

My old employer told me that for each calendar year (or maybe holiday year) you must take at least 1 full working week, not sure if that is their own policy or regulation

i couldn't find any law on google that forces employees to take annual leave.  there is a minimum number of days of annual leave that an employer must provide, but it doesn't state that the employee must take these.

https://www.lawatwork.co.uk/news-views/do-employees-have-take-holidays-03-07-2020

KiKi

No legal consequences, other than losing it, unless your company has a policy that says they require you to take all your leave, or your manager decides to take action (eg, because they are concerned about your health if you don't take time off and want you to take it).  

[Deleted User]

You lose it. I was asked last week approaching the 7th month of having worked every working day, when I was intending to take annual leave. It's worked out quite well really as I worked the busy period from early Feb to mid Sept before I'll start taking a week each month as the company goes into quieter season.

getmore4less

AskAsk said:

why don't you want to take annual leave?
normally people can carry them forward to the next year or get them paid if the employer request that they work.
but otherwise, if you lose them as you haven't used them, then that is your loss.  no other consequence as far as i am aware.

Max carry over of statutory holiday is 1.6 weeks and i would categorise that as normal I think more companies have a use or lose than carry over(under normal times)
Buyout of statutory holiday is not allowed except when employment is terminated.

getmore4less

The laws for holiday are in the working time regulations.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/contents

d2446679

In some companies/industries that could be seen as a red flag, as in "what is OP up to that they don't want to be away from the workplace for their scheme to be discovered?" etc.
Company has a statutory duty to 'allow' you to take the leave but in the event you don't... they can impose particular days (of their choosing) that you must take. I think most would take this approach since it rules out the possibility later of a tribunal (?) from the person not taking holiday, arguing that they weren't given the opportunity to take it.
Why do you not want to use it, or is it more a case of feeling that you cannot take it due to workload etc?

Manxman_in_exile

d2446679 said:

In some companies/industries that could be seen as a red flag, as in "what is OP up to that they don't want to be away from the workplace for their scheme to be discovered?" etc.

^^^  This.

I worked in the NHS but think it would be true anywhere in the public sector.  Anybody who didn't take their full entitlement to annual leave was in danger of inviting the very close interest of internal audit.  Employees not taking annual leave (especially on a regular basis) can often be a sign that they are up to something "dodgy" that they are scared may be discovered during their absence.  It's usually to do with money/cash but doesn't have to be - could be a fiddle based on anything - even just doing the job wrongly.

(I'm surprised only the one other poster has mentioned this... )