Annual Leave

Can an employer limit the amount the annual leave you take in one hit?

For example I requested to take 3 weeks off in a row but the company has come back and said we have a policy of limiting leave to 2 consecutive weeks.

Any links to docs would be greatly appreciated!

I had the same problem last year. But I got approved for a bit over 3 week AL, then later on they hadn't realised I was going for that long when time came :rolleyes:

I don't think they can legally do it, but I would also like to know for sure. I think they just don't want to let you go for that long because you are needed. Like me, I am pretty much the only one who knows my job, the guys that take over for me don't know as much as I do, and things start to fall apart without me here.

I think it depends on your employer's policy. I think the law sets down the minimum amount of annual leave per year but not how employees can take it. Does your workplace have a HR person?

I'd agree with Paulbot, it generally depends on your company's policy.
you would have probably signed an employment agreement when you started saying that you would abide by the company's policies.

I too would suggest talking to HR, all the policies should be available for you to read at any time.

if that is their policy then the best you can really do is ask nicely to take more than the policy limit.

2 weeks is a bit unfair I think, hard to make a real holiday of it.:(

i dont think they can legally especially if you have the leave owing to you ive taken 4 weeks off in one hit and a couple of other people at my work have taken 8 weeks off at once

Certain companies have periods that you are unable to take AL eg. easter/xmas period that may limit the amount of leave taken but it depends on the companies policy. If the company that you work for have it in writing in their policy, then unfortunately you probably cannot have the 3 weeks

Thanks all, will check out the policy on Monday - I told them early last month and it took 5 weeks for them to tell me ... unfortunatly the HR staff are based in canada so can't just wander over to have a chat.