We are considering having a number of shutdowns over the coming 6 months as a way of controlling costs. As a US owned company we are being requested to work to same time lines as a possible US shutdown and require employees to take annual vacation or have unpaid leave during specific periods over the next 6 months. We have no policy for this and there is nothing in any UK employment contract that states this may occur however I see that a previous shutdown did occur back in 2003 although I can not see how this was dealt with for UK ie imposed or voluntary. With the current global economic difficulties I am wondering if this is something other companies are considering as a way of controling costs. I know in many parts of Europe we can only encourage but can not require employees to take vacation or unpaid leave but what about in UK?
Christina Wegrzynski