I am lucky enough not to need the state’s protection from employer repression. The libertarian in me says that people should negotiate their own employment conditions. The lefty in me can’t help thinking that it would be a trifle unfair if people with little negotiating power were left with virtually no annual holiday entitlement at all. I happen to think there is too much state interference in the labour market but at the same time I don’t think there should be none. Four weeks holiday a year is possibly too much to force employers to give, but I do think it is reasonable to set some sort of minimum.
I actually get much more holiday than I can sensibly use each year. I simply don’t have the time to use it all up. One of the results of the working time regulations is that employees not only must be allowed to take up to four weeks holiday per year but they must actually take it. This leads to the strange scenario of the person in charge of “compliance” at work calling me up each December and demanding that I take some more time off. Last year there was a great kerfuffle because my direct boss didn’t want me to take time off (too busy!) but he was over-ruled because to not send me away would be illegal. I wasn’t that bothered either way.
I have taken the grand total of two weeks off and change so far this year. In fact this was the first year in many that I took two consecutive weeks off. So I am off this week, in the name of The Law. As an eco-warrior and skint person I am taking my holiday at home in sunny South London. I had intended to do absolutely bugger all but this carefully-crafted plan has been dashed, partly by nice people inviting me to things and partly by the chunts upstairs flooding my flat. I went to a wedding at the weekend and feel compelled to show you all the highlight of the proceedings:
Now I know why we are in the EU: longer holidays and cheese so wet it must be served with a spoon.
A] The people who flooded your flat are described as ‘chunts’. Typographical error or new word for my dictionary?
B] The spoon in your pic needs to be much longer if you are to sup with the EU [although I can't see the whole of the handle].
C] “The libertarian in me says that people should negotiate their own employment conditions.” Don’t burglars do that?
D] What are you drinking?
Mark – perhaps you didn’t read the comments to this post where the great Hogday afternoon coined this immaculate new word? Lager, thanks.
happen to think there is too much state interference in the labour market Emloyment Lawyers don’t, it’s an amazingly complex minefield that helps them earn lots of money!
One of the results of the working time regulations is that employees not only must be allowed to take up to four weeks holiday per year but they must actually take it. I didn’t know that interesting fact. I haven’t heard of any other employer forcing people in the UK to take four weeks per year.
I hae been to Le Mont D’Or a lovely spa town in Central France.
Erm, bit behind the times BE. 5.6 weeks a year annual leave.
I usually manage 4 days as being the boss I have to cover the others who are on holiday.
6 seniors = 39.2 weeks away.
I have had 7 days straight last year. First time in 5 years have had that much holiday.
The upside of the recession.
I don’t take holidays, we’re always either in touch by phone daily, or the emails get seen to first thing then we escape for a few hours only.
It is important not to stop – ever!
Admittedly, weekends seem to be sacrosanct though…
Get your `chunts` in before my patent is approved
H – I will pay you a royalty as soon as you get yourself down to London Town!!