Community: The Union for Life

Holiday Rights

• What are my rights on a public holiday/ bank holiday?
• Can my employer stop me taking my holidays?
• Can my employer force me to take my holidays?

Holiday Rights

What are my rights on a public holiday/ bank holiday?

You have no statutory rights to be off work on a public holiday or bank holiday.

Your work contract may contain recognition of public holidays and bank holidays, either providing time off or extra pay. However, you should check your contract. If public holidays and bank holidays are not recognised and you choose to have time off, your employer may count this against your holiday entitlements.

Can my employer prevent me taking holidays?

Yes. You do not have the right to choose when to take holidays. Employers can refuse individual requests or restrict holidays at certain times of the year.

However, if an employer was to nominate a four week period as off limit to holidays, they must give the same length of time as notice.

Employees should give a period of notice which is twice the length of the period of leave. This will not guarantee acceptance of the holiday, however, employers can waive this period at their discretion.

Can my employer force me to take holidays?

Yes. Your employer can direct you to take holidays if the require. However, the employer must give notice. The period of notice is twice the length of the period of leave. Therefore two weeks notice must be given before enforcing a one week period of leave.