Employers, you can now require employees to take holiday during furlough!
Furloughed employees are continuing to accrue statutory holiday entitlements (and any additional holiday provided for under their contract of employment). Subsequently, this could result in a number of employees accruing a total of 8 months’ holiday!
The Government has recently published guidance stating that employers can require furloughed employees to take their holiday without disrupting their furlough. If you choose to do this, you should explain the reasons for wanting the employees to take leave before compelling them to do so.
The government guidance specifically states employers should ‘consider whether any restrictions the worker is under, such as the need to socially distance or self-isolate, would prevent the worker from resting, relaxing and enjoying leisure time, which is the fundamental purpose of holiday.’
