Are there laws to essential employees who were not able to take vacation due to the lack of work force allowing for the remainder of vacation outside of the established policy to be paid out.

A very seasoned writer is requested, as I will have to present and argue said matter.

An employee has been terminated, the company’s policy is to pay the maximum 80 vacation hours pre Covid. Are there laws to essential employees who were not able to take vacation due to the lack of work force allowing for the remainder of vacation outside of the established policy to be paid out. Argue why the needs of the business, and employee absenteeism did not allow for some managers to take off, thus the need to rewriting the policy in line post Covid.