HI.

I have been back in my old Hotel entertainment job now since July and before the hotel was closed in 2006 for refurb I was there for 8 years.
Now im entitled to holidays, its in my contract and Ive always been able to take them in the past but now the hotel has a new manager and since the hotel has been upgraded to a very expensive 4 star it has gone extremely quiet. Next month there are going to be 40 guests on average of which the hotel holds 600 guests. They have ended restaurant staff contracts and now ive been told this morning that my work partner who only does 14 hours a week anyway wont have her contract renewed. This is a big problem for me because having her work with me is handy as she covers my day off too a week plus when I want holidays she is there to cover them. Now from 1st Nov Ill be working on my own which means I cannot take any holidays as there is no one to cover me. I told the manager this morning that he needs to renew her contract and he basically said he couldnt because the hotel is going really quiet.
If I dont take them I know they wont pay me instead so im gonna basically lose them.
Surely if im entitled to holidays then I cannot just let them slip by. It isnt my fault the hotel is dead. Ive booked flights for a week in Dec and it looks like I cant take time off.
Im not prepared to sit back and lose any entitlement.
thoughts?

Surely having nobody to cover you when you're away isn't your problem? Or am I missing something

Well if I go away then there is no entertainment. I have a daytime activity programme and have to follow the evening plan, ie bingo,music,karaoke etc. The Hotel is all inclusive so the guests expect entertainment. It isnt my problem but the Hotel is gonna make it hard for me to take time off now which means I will lose this years holiday entitlement and wont get it paid to me either.
Anything I can do? There is a receptionist who has been there for 25 years who is part of the union. Do i have a case to make sure I get my full entitlement?

I'm sure by talking to your employer you'll be able to reach some mutually satisfactory arrangement, no?
Either you take the holiday to which you are entitled, or you get paid in lieu or maybe it could be deferred?
I can't really tell if you actually want to take the holiday entitlement now or not or have the dosh instead!
Just get any agreement reached set down in writing...
Edit p.s. you say you have a contract so just wave that under your employer's nose!

I had the same problem where I work a couple of years ago.Basically your manager is responsible for filling your job when you're on holidays and if that means hiring someone from an agency to do it,well thats their problem is'nt it?I think if I were you, if possible join a union and know your rights!Who does the managers job when they're on holiday?I bet they don't sacrifice their holidays?Be firm and stand your ground!Last year my manager informed me my rota would be changing the following week!I mentioned that my union rep might have something to say about that,and within 2 days the manager had changed my rota back to what it was!I'm sure between you and your manager you can come to some agreement!

It might be worth joining the U.G.T. Google it. i am a member. It is basically the spanish trade union. They can help with all sorts and is very cheap to join.

Yeah I'm with Unison (I live in the UK)and usually a threat to have a chat with my union rep does the trick pretty well!