Handing in my notice - accrued holiday?

[w00tman]

Finally hit breaking point with my job after answering my blackberry and receiving a verbal b*llo*ing from the boss for daring to be off work ill. Woe is me, etc etc.

So - went and got another job yesterday - fantastic.

I have a one month contractual notice period and I am due to start my new job on 1st August. I also have accrued three weeks (15 days) of holiday I have been unable to take as the delightful individual I work for keeps cancelling them on me.

My question: If I hand in my notice one the 1st of July, am I able to say "this is my 1 month notice, of which I have 15 days of accrued holiday, so this is essentially the last week you will see me in the office" or can they prevent me taking this accrued time?

I know they can theoretically pay me in lieu for time not taken when I go, but can they insist on this? despite the very welcome addition of the cash this would bring (I'm taking a c.60% pay cut in moving) I'd rather boil my head than go back in that office, so would prefer to use my accrued time to avoid this.

I've done some googling and it doesn't seem very clear. The staff handbook doesn't say either way, and despite working in a company that employs c.#200k staff across the globe, our HR intranet doesn't cover this eventuality!

Thanks all

[w00tman]

Sorry for the delayed response all - forgot to turn on email notifications!

Thanks for all replies - tomorrow is the day I hand in my notice and, given the messages above, I think many of you have a fair point.

I'm going to say that I'm happy to work but paid in lieu or take the time - I think you're right, I don't want to leave them in the sh.. even if it's my arse of a boss' own doing, it's no one else's fault and I dont want to punish my co-workers who will have to pick up the slack.

I want paying in lieu if I cant have it though, cant imagine that will be a problem however.

Slightly ironically I found out on thursday that my department are very likely to be closing and I would either lose my job or be relocated 40 miles down the road - which adds 60+ minutes to my commute. So, not an especially big loss overall.

Thanks all.