how much notice does an employer have to give to change your working hours or holiday?

Question

we have had to save 3 days holiday for christmas shutdown from begining of january this year they are now saying we might have to come in and pay us for not taking the holiday instead

Answer 1

Not sure, but its worth noting that in most cases it is not lawful for a company to pay an employee in lieu of holiday, so you should check out your rights.

You can try htp://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm (this site contains lots of very useful information), or The Acas helpline (08457 47 47 47 - 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday).

Answer 2

Hmmm ... that's an odd one since I've never heard of that before, and I'm not sure of the legal stance.

If you are contractually entitled to four weeks annual leave and they are denying you these three days, then that is illegal because they have to ensure that you are allowed to take four weeks annual leave in any year. But they could get around this by letting you take those days on any other date in December. If you're contractually entitled to more than four weeks, then you've already had your statutory allowance for this year so I don't think they are in the wrong.

I'm assuming from your question that you really want to take these three days off, so if I were you I would fill in a holiday form and go see your manager NOW (before anyone else gets a chance to) and just formally apply to take the time off. This means that if they decide that only some people can take the time off but not everyone, at least your name is at the top of the list. But be aware that your employer will be more sympathetic to those who already have flights etc booked for that time.

Answer 3

The issue is determined by your employment status. If you are contract (having a union contract would be an example), then the procedure is to follow what is agreed in the contract. If you do not have a contract, you may be what is called employed "at will". Then you may have some guideline under your State's employment law. Another thing to look at is what has the company done in the past under these circumstances. Typically companies establish some kind of pattern that will give you an indication.

Hope this is helpful and good luck

Answer 4

Legally, the only way you are protected in terms of annual leave is if during the course of the leave year, you have been restricted to less leave than is lawfully permitted.

That means that if since January, you will have received less than the 20 day minimum (excluding bank holidays)...your employer may be in breach of the European Working Time Directive....which is enshrined in British law by the way!

Answer 5

In mainteance about 2 seconds. I've gone in a bunch of times on the day before Thanksgiving and didn't get out of the plant until Thanksgiving afternoon.
Gone is several times on the day before Christmas eve and been told when getting off we'd be working Christmas eve and Christmas day.

Answer 6

If you have a contract and work set contracted shifts, then your employer must give you 28 days written notice to ammend your contract.

If you agree to the change then then it can be agreed. If you don't agree and they want to inflict the change of contract, then you will have no choice, providinfg they give you the minimum 28 day written notice.

Answer 7

All depends on if you can work, need the extra money,want to keep on working for the company,think be for you act

Answer 8

If they are changing the hours you have been working to something different on a permanent basis, I think they have to give you 90 days. ...so you can change your 'life/work balance'. Well, that is what is happening to me, and 90 days won't make any difference...there are somethings you can't change.

Answer 9

If you have no union, absent a state law, none. Especially if you are in a right to work state.

Answer 10

Normally they have 24 hours, but it depands on the situation.