Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the minimum length of service was 2 years for this. Good luck.

I'd worry about frostbite. Seriously, as a female, I don't think I would go to work.

That's a tough one for me, jackieandwayne, is it rare? It doesn't sound great, though. My first port of call for information would be the HSE website. Otherwise, we hope someone more knowledgeable than me turns up

Hi Adam. I can't give you a definitive answer, I'm afraid, but hopefully someone on the forum will come along. My gut reaction is that it doesn't sound right. Is this the sort of thing the ACAS helpline could advise you on, come Monday? I hope you get a good result.

Hi there. Could you clarify please, [i'm thick]. Do you mean 2 days' holiday or 2 holidays of longer than that?

Hi Tommo. I was wondering how you got on the other day. Can you give us an update please? I hope it worked out for the best.

Hi there. I'm sorry you're having the same problem as a good many of us on this forum. I think the point system is the way to go for you. I hope this link works. I was directed to it by the DWP's own website and it's on Direct Gov. If you scroll down towards the end, Appendix A of the pdf document, I think it is, the points system is all there. http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@disabled/documents/digitalasset/dg_177366.pdf Some of the charities are well versed in this, from what I've seen on google searches. Is there one that supports your particular condition, for instance? [Erika, I hope that's an approved link?] I was turned down following an Atos assessment and an appeal to the DWP, which was rejected. My appeal was based on proving why I hadn't been given the right number of points. The appeal tribunal overturned the DWP decision. So, we're rooting for you here. Good luck. My best, HB

A couple of extra thoughts here. Teaboy, I imagine harassing someone for making a complaint would be victimisation? There has to be another way to keep your house and your life with your son going. I imagine other caggers have been in the position of looking at redundancy and hope they will help. My best, HB

Hi there. What a terrible situation for you to be in, I'm very sorry. This never happened to me while I was working in consultancy and sales, but if it had, I would have looked at what teaboy is suggesting. You're in good hands with him, it's a good forum. Speaking as a fellow 'girl', I really don't think you should succumb to this cynical [at best] man's offer. It probably wouldn't make any difference to the outcome and you would feel cheap and bad about yourself afterwards, I imagine. And think of his poor wife and family; I wouldn't want my OH to do that to me. Please, please think very carefully about descending to his level. I prefer teaboy's idea of catching him out, or getting other female colleagues. In the offices where I worked, we would have been able to discuss this and i hope, take action. I'm not a legal person, but I would be interested to know if recording a leading conversation could amount to entrapment, or is it different in an employment case? Keep strong and keep us updated. My best, HB

I agree with loopinlouie. This is a guideline for anyone who posts on the CAG forums from the site rules. 1.7 Above all else, use your common sense, be respectful and reasonable to people and companies.

Hi K13, I'm delighted for you. Well done! And well done Mariefab and Elpulpo as well.

What time are you on parade, mooshoo? My best, you can do it if I could. And we won!

That's right, mooshoo, don't give up before you start. I've been through it too, and had the same experience as Brighton gal at the tribunal. I was given a written decision on the day, but if Erika says the tribunal could have other matters to consider, I have no doubt that she's right! Crossing my fingers for a good outcome.

Hi there. I don't know if this will help or not, hope I don't make things worse, at least. My OH is in the same position in that he doesn't work Mondays. He has a holiday allocation of 28 days, 20 plus the 8 Bank hols, and can take those days when he likes. They're not allocated against Mondays. I hope you find your answer, Likeable.

Hi K13. That sounds like good news, fingers crossed. Good luck tomorrow and don't lose your cool. Please let us know how it goes.

Hi shifty. It's not necessarily right that you can't draw your pension early. Reaching State retirement age of 65 and taking an early pension from a final salary scheme aren't the same thing. Not every HR person understands pensions. That's why I was asking you what the early pension rules are for your scheme, if you're able to tell. Send me a PM if you prefer.

Correct me if I'm wrong guys, or this is repetition, but isn't an employer meant to have a reasonable belief that something wrong has been done?

That's right, shifty, it will be a good scheme and from memory, you were in it for about 10 years? In a final salary scheme, you usually need the company's or Trustees' agreement to retire early. This will depend on the scheme rules. The current minimum early retirement age is 50, but on 6th April this year, the age will go up to 55 for virtually everyone. If you have a scheme booklet, does it say anything about Early Retirement please? I've looked online to see if any details are available for your employer [no names, no pack drill], but can't find anything specific. Please tell me more when you're ready.

Maybelline, I understand how you must feel about being exploited and it's a great shame. Others on this forum will tell me if I'm wrong, but personally, I wouldn't go in all guns blazing about 'exploitation' without preparing a logical case, preferably in writing because I forget things in the heat of the moment. That's what Elpulpo was trying to help you to do, I believe. What does anyone else think, please?

From 1st October, the minimum wage is £5.80 per hour for someone over 22.

If you're able to tell us, are you the only person carrying out your particular role? Is that why they feel they need to have 24-hour access to you? [Not saying they're right, of course.]

From shifty50dog 'To put the pension thing in perspective because the company said you cant have your pension until you retire this is reduced when you contact the pension people yourself basicly you lose afew thousand because the company wont sanction it and it also reduces your monthly payments i hope thats made it more clear.' Not yet, I'm afraid. Shifty, can you tell us what age you are, if you're prepared to. Also what is the 'Normal Retirement Age' for the company's scheme please? I'll ask more later about what type of scheme it is, if you'll tell me. My best.

Hi there shifty50. Is there nothing in writing from the company or your supervisor/s and colleagues that you can post on your thread please? I would think there's a limit to how much hearsay can be used as an argument and some hard facts would really help us. Will post separately about the pension.

I have seen problems like this. In my opinion, it's not right, because responsible employers view holiday as a chance to unwind. But it seems to be more and more common. I wish I knew the answer, but maybe someone on this forum does. This sounds like moral blackmail, I hope you manage to find a solution.

Guys, going back to the Data Protection argument, am I right in thinking this comes under the Information Commissioner's auspices. They have a website, kawfairy. Do you have time to look, if that's a good place to start>