Holidays refused

[BAKERS DOZEN]

We are due to go on holiday on Sat 11 June for two weeks. It is all paid for, the time has been booked off work by both of us and respite care has been arranged for elderly father-in-law. Husband came home from work this morning to say his name is on the work roster for the whole of June and his holiday request (put in on March 3rd) has been refused. What is the legal position here? Surely if they were going to refuse it they could have done that within 24hrs of his request. What can his firm do when he takes the time off work (because we ARE going on holiday? Can they sack him? He has worked there eight years and has excellent timekeeping and sickness record.

[Chickadee]

Why didn't you wait until his firm had said yes to him taking the time off before booking your holiday?

As to the legalities I don't know I'm afraid but I would imagine they could sack him for being absent?

[yogasun]

Hi Bakers Dozen
Not sure how your OH stands legally. The firm might argue that he should have checked that his holiday request had been confirmed before going ahead.
Seems harsh though if they don't honour it in the light of his good service. Has he been told he can't go?

[trionam]

I think they would have had to give reasonable notice to refuse the holiday it doesnt seem they have done that there is some good advice on here about raising a grievence with your employer and more

http://www.adviceguid..._let_you_take_holiday

[BAKERS DOZEN]

He has worked there eight years and always has the same two weeks off in June and the same two weeks in September/October. We go away "out of season" so the people with young children can have July/August. The reason he has been given is that he will be taking all his four weeks holiday in the summer period and that it is not fair to other people. Bearing in mind that it has always been allowed before, I would not class October as summer and most importantly NO-ONE else is off at the time he wants how can his boss justify it? Not one of his workmates has any problem with him being off.

[moonraker558]

Just go sick instead there is nothing they can do about it then, providing your doctor will provide a sick note.

[trionam]

Ive just read that they are to give as much notice as the period of holiday booked and as you have booked two weeks on june 11 and the refused this morning then they havent maybe he should ask to see the company policy with regards to holidays and proceedures for applying ect they might back pedal a bit good luck.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Trionam - thanks very much for that link, was just reading it. I think three months notice for a two week holiday is plenty and, as you say, they are out of time now to refuse a holiday on 11th June. Nice one. I am going to print it off and he can take it in work tomorrow.

[flip_flop]

Chickadee asks "Why didn't you wait until his firm had said yes to him taking the time off before booking your holiday?"

How is that even remotely helpful?

[China Doll]

Oh, and the northern irish guys been making me laugh.

[China Doll]

Sorry. Wrong post.

[JackDanielsU]

Had the original request been authorised?

If not, and you'd want to know why it took them 3 months to come up with an answer.

The fact noone else is off is baffling as its not as if hes leaving them in the lurch, Id advise him to see the HR person or whoever it is and put his case forward.

If as you say none of his colleagues have a problem with him having those weeks, then get them to back up his case.

As advised above he needs to look at the companies holiday request/refusal etc statements