Forced to use vac day or off payroll

[roberte]

I work for a company that provides contracting services to other companies. I have been on assignment to one company for 5 years. This company has the 23rd and 30th of December off as holidays and is closed. My company does not recognize those days as holidays and says that I must use my vacation time or take leave without pay for those 2 days. My stance is that it is not my fault that the company I'm contracted to has those days off, and I should not be forced to use my vacation or lose pay because of this and that my company should find something else for me to do, put me on call, or put me on the bench for those 2 days. My company says it's "Company Policy", however I have never seen this policy in our employee handbook. Can anyone point me in the right direction if I'm right or wrong?

Thank you very much

[Beth3]

You're wrong - legally, anyway. If your employer (the staffing agency) wishes you to use vacation time for the days the client company is closed, they are free to do so.

[roberte]

OK, thank you Beth. It just doesn't seem fair is all, but if that's the way it goes, that's the way it goes.

Thanks again.