We have a similar system at our company. Except you can't book 7 days off, you can only book leave in 4 day blocks. And not just the 4 days off you actually want, but the 4 days off that are marked on the leave bid lines. So if you want to be off on the 4th August for a week, but the "block" starts on the 2nd, you just have to book 12 days off (3 blocks) to cover your week. I get less days off now than when I worked in a small office. I used to get 5 weeks holiday, that is 5 x 5 day week plus all the weekends, plus 8 Bank Hols. Now we get 37 days which includes the 8 Bank Hols. So I actually get 29 days holiday. But that is 29/7, which is just over 4 weeks hols.
We used to be able to get an extra week if all leave was over the winter, but now if we take that option our annual days off are reduced by that amount.
We can book days off but to be honest, its so far in advance that its not much use.
We can also finish at just before midnight prior to a day off (if delayed) and start at 0700 local time after a day off with no additional payments.
But we do now get paid if we work a day off or if we have to work prior to 0700 local after a day off.
As for FTLs, it doesn't matter whether you are on "days off" or leave, it still counts as "days off" for the limitations. I believe.
I thought there was an EU ruling that every employee must have 4 weeks off p.a. yet there are cases whereby you could lose some or all of your leave with our company. Does anyone know if the 4 weeks is recommended or compulsory?