Employer refusing annual leave in December - what can I do? PLEASE HELP

[flammingstar]

Hi, I am really hoping that someone can give me some advice.

I have been employed part time as a supervisor for a well know High Street store/chain selling health products/food/supplements for approx 16 months. My contract is for 13 hours per week to include a Sunday. Occasionally I do more hours when required.


It is an 'unwritten' rule within the company that employees are not allowed to take annual leave during December, however it does not state such in my contract of employment.

However, it will be my 40th Birthday at the begining of December and I really want to go on a girlie holiday to my fave destination abroad to celebrate. This would mean that I would require the 1st - 8th December as annual leave.

Our store is only a small one in a small town with 4/5 employees and is therefore not busy during this period, my colleagues have all agreed to work my usual hours during the week I want off [one Sunday and one other week day]

I have emailed/contacted the area manager giving plenty of notice to request this, but he has stated no leave during December which I feel is hugely unfair.

Please could anyone tell me what my rights are and if there is anything I can do? This would be massively appreciated.

Thank you

[Eloise01]

Re: Employer refusing annual leave in December - what can I do? PLEASE HELP

Sorry, you have no rights in this. The employer is entitled to refuse any holiday request, or to refuse leave at specified times of the year, or to even dictate when leave will be taken. If they will not change their minds, then they will not change their minds. If you have excplained that this is special circumstances and this has had no impact, then I am afraid that I would suggest you go in November - or January. I wouldn't strongly recommend a grievance about this - the rule is tere, you know it is there, and you will loose a grievance, so I see no point in putting noses out of joint over something that may be disappointing for you, but which is in fact in the gift of the employer.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Employer refusing annual leave in December - what can I do? PLEASE HELP

Sorry, you have no rights in this. The employer is entitled to refuse any holiday request, or to refuse leave at specified times of the year, or to even dictate when leave will be taken. If they will not change their minds, then they will not change their minds. If you have excplained that this is special circumstances and this has had no impact, then I am afraid that I would suggest you go in November - or January. I wouldn't strongly recommend a grievance about this - the rule is tere, you know it is there, and you will loose a grievance, so I see no point in putting noses out of joint over something that may be disappointing for you, but which is in fact in the gift of the employer.

The employer giveth and the employer taketh away.
Blessed be the name of the employer.

[enquirer]

Re: Employer refusing annual leave in December - what can I do? PLEASE HELP

Refusing leave in December - the busiest trading period in the high street - is normal practice for this sector. As Eloise01 has pointed out, you would be very unwise to try and make anything of this.

[Eloise01]

Re: Employer refusing annual leave in December - what can I do? PLEASE HELP

I agree, although if the OP hasn't explained the special reason, it's worth an informal shot at it. And I only suggested that because I was not convinced there was necessarily a rush on healthy food and products in December! But in the end the employer has the legal right to refuse.