We know that when planning for your annual leave, you always try to give your employer as much notice as possible. It’s exciting to have your leave approved, and then you start booking flights, accommodations and everything else for your upcoming holiday.

But what happens when, a few weeks later, management decide to withdraw the approved leave due to operational needs, roster changes, too many people on sick leave or other unforeseen circumstances? This can be frustrating, especially when you've already made non-refundable bookings.

So, can management do this, and what are your rights in such a situation?

Unfortunately, the short answer is yes – there are instances where management can retract approved leave. However, they need to provide a valid and reasonable explanation for doing so. Additionally, they should try to negotiate with you to find alternative dates for your time off and should cover any financial penalties you might face due to non-refundable bookings. This is only fair, considering you waited for approval before making these plans.

It’s also important to note that the cancellation of approved leave should not be happening on a regular basis.

If you have any questions or concerns about your leave or any other workplace issues, don’t hesitate to give us a call at HACSUassist and we can chat about where you stand and what action you can take.