Annual Leave Question (Solved)

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

Hi guys,

Hopefully someone has some info for me. Our company closes down the week over Christmas and New Years, but still deducts the normal days from our annual leave. Is this the norm and accepted, or am I wrong for thinking that if the company closes down during that period (i.e. does not operate), that it should not be regarded as normal annual leave?

For example, they deduct 5 days annual leave for the following dates (they're not public holidays, but the company is completely closed on these dates): 23rd, 24th, 27th, 30th and 31st December.

Maybe someone with some HR experience could pitch in? Thanks for the advice!

 

[MEIOT]

What's in your employment contract?

 

[Recallza]

Refer to your employment contract, but it's pretty normal....

Only some companies give it for free.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Its very normal, and totally legal.

 

[marco79]

Some companies have compulsory leave over that period. It should be in your employment contract. Actually this is the norm.

I am fortunate enough where my company gives us the period between Christmas and New Years Day off as special leave. The company gives us those few days free.

 

[WAslayer]

The labour law dictates that, annual shutdowns form part of an employees normal annual leave..

The recommendation for companies are that, this be set out in company leave policies.. So, leave policy should make it clear to employees that they need to make sure to have enough annual leave left at the end of the year to cover the annual shutdown..

 

[supersunbird]

My previous international corporate employer and now big national corporate employer does it exactly that way.

 

[Suspect99]

Hi guys,

Hopefully someone has some info for me. Our company closes down the week over Christmas and New Years, but still deducts the normal days from our annual leave. Is this the norm and accepted, or am I wrong for thinking that if the company closes down during that period (i.e. does not operate), that it should not be regarded as normal annual leave?

For example, they deduct 5 days annual leave for the following dates (they're not public holidays, but the company is completely closed on these dates): 23rd, 24th, 27th, 30th and 31st December.

Maybe someone with some HR experience could pitch in? Thanks for the advice!

Its normal practice. They'll usually tell you shut down is over this period and keep your leave spare.

 

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

Yeah just checked, they do actually stipulate it forms part of standard annual leave. Sorry, should've checked that first More then half of the company's staff is willing to work those days though haha.

 

[Cray]

All my previous companies did this, where I work now is the first place I've worked that doesn't close over Christmas.

 

[Cius]

That is normal, unless they are not paying you for the days the company is closed obviously. If company is closed and you still get a full pay cheque then its forced annual leave. Fairly common in the construction industry, as well as some consulting companies, auditors, etc.

I once worked for a consultancy that closed the week between Christmas and New years that gave it to us for free (did not deduct it from leave) but that was like a bonus, was not expected.

 

[Kosmik]

Yeah just checked, they do actually stipulate it forms part of standard annual leave. Sorry, should've checked that first More then half of the company's staff is willing to work those days though haha.

Yes because nothing happens over that period

 

[Cius]

Yeah just checked, they do actually stipulate it forms part of standard annual leave. Sorry, should've checked that first More then half of the company's staff is willing to work those days though haha.

My wife once worked for a company that did that and she wanted to work Dec to build up leave for our honeymoon. She chatted to the bosses and said can't I work and just man the phones etc, do filing. A fair amount of orders and queries came in in that period that she was able to assist with and it actually turned out it was more than worth it for them to keep someone in the office for those two weeks to answer phones and take down orders for the new year etc. So depending on your job perhaps you can negotiate to work if you want to?