Does anyone know what the rule is around this?

The earliest I can have any time off is the second week of march, so I've asked for a week plus whatever extra I'm owed for the year (likely 2 or 3 days) seeing as I'm unlikely to get another chance (i.e. that month) to book time off
So boss says I can only have a week at a time, and he'll pay me for the extra days. But I'd really like to have the time off (seeing as I've had about 20 days in 10 years) and there's no real reason I can only have a week as the other guy that works at this site is taking 3.

So can I actually insist I take the time off that I'm entitled to by law? Another point to note is that because I started this job in september I couldn't take anything until, well now...

This from .gov

The basics of holiday rights

There is a minimum right to paid holiday, but your employer may offer more than this. The main things you should know about holiday rights are that:

you are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual leave (28 days for someone working five days a week)

part-time workers are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata (so 5.6 times your usual working week, eg 22.4 days for someone working four days a week)

you start building up holiday as soon as you start work

your employer can control when you take your holiday

you get paid your normal pay for your holiday

when you finish a job, you get paid for any holiday you have not taken

bank and public holidays can be included in your minimum entitlement

you continue to be entitled to your holiday leave throughout your ordinary and additional maternity leave and paternity and adoption leave


So taking of holiday is down to your employer / contract but you were entitled to the accrued holiday after your first week of work. The 28 days normally will include bank holidays

[Edited on 28/1/11 by jabs]

He can refuse you having particular dates off - certain teams where I work have a leave freeze over payroll year end, for example. If they refuse a leave request and you can't take all your leave before the holiday year ends, they.have to pay you for them, which he's offered to do.

Ask him why you can't have the extra few days when the other guy's taking 3 weeks, see what he says...

Will be doing

Yeah I was just wondering if I could insist on the time off, seeing as I'm sick of the sight of this place!