Can an employer ask an employee to return early?
Question: Can an employer require an employee on an approved vacation leave to return early and discipline the employee if they refuse?
Answer: In many workplaces, vacations are scheduled at mutually convenient times, with the employer retaining the right to approve or deny an employee’s vacation request based on the operational requirements of the business, or in some circumstances to schedule the employee’s vacation unilaterally. In unionized settings, the vacation provisions of the collective agreement will usually deal with vacation scheduling and approval.
