terms of employment/holidays

[cisco]

I have been working for a small company for tha last 15 years, over this time we have never had any kind of terms of employment contract.
now all staff have been given a contract. being told this is not going to change anything.
it all seems ok but for one thing.
up to now everyone marked their holidays on a wall chart and sorted out among ourselves if there was a clash.
now we have to fill out a form 6 weeks in advance of taking any holidays.
do we have to go along with this?

 

[purpeller]

It's fairly standard practice to have to give at least a month's notice for taking a holiday. Most employers will recognise though that sometimes a day off is required at short notice and don't have a problem with it.

 

[Purple]

If it has worked out well in the past then it would be stupid to change things now. I suspect that no matter what is in your contract the same practice will continue. That said if you are taking two weeks off you will probably know about it 6 weeks in advance so why not tell whomever you have to about it?

 

[pat127]

I have been working for a small company for tha last 15 years, over this time we have never had any kind of terms of employment contract.
now all staff have been given a contract. being told this is not going to change anything.
it all seems ok but for one thing.
up to now everyone marked their holidays on a wall chart and sorted out among ourselves if there was a clash.
now we have to fill out a form 6 weeks in advance of taking any holidays.
do we have to go along with this?

You don't say so but can I assume that the employer uses the forms to decide when each employee takes holidays? If so, this is legal but note:-

"The employer decides when annual leave may be taken, subject to a number of conditions. The employer is required to take into account the family responsibilities of the employee, the opportunities for rest and recreation available to the employee, and to consult with the employee (or his/her union) at least 1 month before the leave is to be taken."

 

[Purple]

"The employer decides when annual leave may be taken, subject to a number of conditions. The employer is required to take into account the family responsibilities of the employee, the opportunities for rest and recreation available to the employee, and to consult with the employee (or his/her union) at least 1 month before the leave is to be taken."

The employer can't change the terms and conditions of their employees without their agreement and the fact that holidays have been done this way for years meant that it is part of their T&C's. I still don’t think it’s a real issue unless someone in charge starts being an ass about it.