HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT

[teash]

(might be the wrong place for this topic but here goes) . My partner booked a weeks holiday off from work 3 weeks ago for the begining of October and that was ok`d by the boss (giving 4 weeks notice, company policy is 2 weeks notice) and was told today that she couldn`t have the week that she`d asked for but could have the following week off instead . Where does she stand, no replies about on her feet etc :)

[JB]

Holidays are usually subject to business needs, but as your partner has already had this authorised, she should be able to take it. Would her employers expect her to take a financial loss if she has booked a holiday? Are they willing to reimburse her? Is there some kind of crisis going on? Certainly don't think that her employers are being reasonable here - she's adhered to company policy after all.

[teash]

Thanks for that JB the word thatsprings to mind is " making things awkward. Not wishing to go into the in`s and out of thing`s but my wife`s holidays seem`s to be dictated to her, i.e can I have (xyz) hoildays not really do you mind taking (abc) off instead. Never mind we think that she might come down with the flu just to make things awkward.

[WoWo]

Its normally stated in a contract that holidays are at the discretion of the employer and that they can change them if needed. There's not a lot you can do, depends if its the sort of job thats difficult to get.

[jills]

I was going to echo WoWo's reply. Check her contract....wording is usually suitably woolly re hols...eg mutually agreeable time, as agreed by management.... some such wording that gives advantage to the employer. No union rep at her place? Might be worth an ask, just for advice. If hols been OK'd, she could well have booked up to go abroad (I don't know if you have or not), therefore she could claim she cannot cancel wihtout financial loss, and so ask her employers to reimburse her, as after the official OK was given she was perfectly entitled to expect that holiday to go through, and therefore could make plans.

[Sassylady]

She must contact ACAS immediately for advice - the Arbitration and Conciliation Advisory Service - I am sure they will back her rights - anyway they will give her the legal position. Hope this helps - good luck!

[teash]

Thanks for all your replies :)

[stoo_pid]

Sorry this is a bit late. If it helps clarify the legal position - unless the signed contractof employment states otherwise, any employer can dictate the exact date of their employees' leave. They are required to give notice at least twice the period of leave. So they can tell you that you will have a specific week off as long as they told you at least 2 weeks before the start of that holiday. There appears to be no specific legislation covering any situation where your boss changes their mind I'm afraid. http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1998/19981833.htm#15