If that is the case then so be it. But then what is the value of a contract of employment? I certainly don't have the right to make changes to it.

So you are saying the company has a right to unilaterally and without consultation change the terms of everyone's contract?

The company has never formally closed. I miswrote that part. In the past we have always had the "Discretionary" three days over Christmas unless there was, in any particular year, "a pressing business need to come in to work". So that means that the company is open but we didn't have to come in to work under normal circumstances. Now they are saying we must take three days leave over this period, they haven't stated that the company will close over Christmas.

I don't really understand your answers. I'm trying to get an employment law viewpoint. I'm prepared to raise this as a formal grievance to my employer; if, as is likely it's ignored (or worse) would I have any grounds to take it to a tribunal.

OK, but this change wasn't consulted upon with anyone in the company. It's a unilateral change in the terms of my contract.

From a high-level point of view the change translates as a unilateral reduction of holiday entitlement by three days. I don't think I take issue with the withdrawal of the "discretionary" three days but I do certainly take issue with the compulsory use of three days of annual leave to replace it. There's no option to work over the three days as the company is formally closed.

How so?

Hi First, I want to say that some years ago I was a member, avid poster and grateful receiver of advice on CAG. I can now no longer remember my username and details so I've created this new profile. That said I have an issue to resolve: I have worked here for a number of years. I get a contractual 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + discretionary 3 days over Christmas. My employer has now announced that the discretionary Christmas leave will no longer happen and that we must reserve three days out of our 25 days annual leave to cover the Christmas shutdown. There is no option to come into work between Christmas and New Year - the company is shut. Is the company entitled to impose this change?