Can I require an employee to use accrued paid vacation time before taking unpaid time off?

An employer may require an employee who is taking a vacation to use accrued paid vacation time rather than taking unpaid time off. Vacation pay is not required by law, although when it is offered, certain accrual and vesting rules do apply in California.

However, no law specifies that employees have an absolute right to determine when they want to use their paid vacation. Therefore, you may require your employee to use their paid vacation rather than going unpaid and saving the paid vacation time for a later date.

As a best practice, you should include language in an employee handbook stating that accrued paid vacation time must be used if available when taking time off for vacation