Vacation block

A vacation block prohibits an employee from taking vacation during a certain period.

Vacation ban: these are the requirements

In Germany, however, there must be urgent business reasons for a vacation ban. The reason is then decisive for how long the block is.

Particularly important: Employees must adhere to the imposed vacation ban.

If the team member has formally submitted their leave request correctly and on time, the employer must approve it. The only exception is for urgent operational reasons. Only then can the boss refuse the leave request.

Reasons for blocking

The following reasons are permissible for a vacation block:

• High personnel requirements: applies, for example, in seasonal business when an employee wants to take vacation in the run-up to Christmas
• Deadlines must be met: This applies, for example, when annual financial statements have to be completed in the accounting department
• Sickness wave: if too many employees are absent, there may be a vacation freeze
• Unexpectedly large order situation: with many unplanned new orders
• Social factors: if many colleagues have already taken vacation, employees with school-age children, for example, are given preference during the vacations

Incidentally, company vacations are the opposite of a lockdown. This means that employees have to take part of their annual leave at a time specified by the company. For example, some companies close for the Christmas period until New Year.

Do you want to know how much vacation you are entitled to? Then take a look at our article on vacation entitlement and read for yourself.