I have worked for my employer for 15 years. I earn 6 weeks…

The following is an explanation of Illinois law concerning vacations.

In Illinois, an employer is not required to provide its employees with vacation benefits, either paid or unpaid. An employer is required to pay these benefits only if it has established a policy, promised, or contracted to provide them. See 820 ILCS 115/2.

An employer must pay an employee for all accrued or earned vacation upon separation from employment. An employer cannot maintain a policy or employment contract requiring the forfeiture by an employee of accrued vacation upon separation from employment for any reason. 820 ILCS 115/5; 56 Ill. Adm. Code 300.520. The only exception to this rule is if the employer is party to a collective bargaining agreement with a union that provides otherwise. 820 ILCS 115/5.

An employer can implement a vacation policy where employees must use vacation time by a certain date or lose it (a “use-it-or-lose-it” policy), but must permit employees a reasonable opportunity to use the leave. 56 Ill. Adm. Code 300.520(e).

Your attention is invited particularly to the paragraph stating that employees must be granted a reasonable opportunity to use their leave.

You would have the right to complain about this employers practices to the Illinois Dept. of Labor.

www2.illinois.gov/sites/AdministrativeHearings/dol

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Judge Bill K. ret.