Lowering ADV days: Is this allowed?

Questioner

As full-timers, we have 6 ADV days per year. In return, we are paid for 39 hours per week. In other words, we work 40 hours, get paid for 39 and for 1 hour per week we receive 6 ADV days per year. Now, with effect from 01-01-2013, the management wants to reduce the number of ADV days by 1 per year. The salary will not be compensated. Is this allowed?

Lawyer

If the company is not doing well, the employer can in principle ask the employees to make this sacrifice. If there is a works council, it must agree to this. The individual employees then agree to this with the employer. If there is no works council, the employer can also include it in a regulation. The employer must have a reasonable interest in this measure. Kind regards,