Do Not Get Caught Out By Deadline, Kent Lawyer Warns Employers

04 September 2007

The deadline is approaching for employers who don’t allow full-time workers to take bank holidays as part of their annual leave entitlement, warns Kent lawyer Amanda Okill.

New legislation – which increases the minimum annual leave (for full-time workers) by eight days from four weeks to 5.6 weeks – takes effect from October 1 this year.

Amanda, employment lawyer at leading south east law firm Furley Page, says: “The increase will be implemented in two phases: the first additional four days from October 1 and the second four days from April 1, 2009.

“To help employers, the Government has put a temporary measure in place which allows for a payment in lieu of the extra holiday entitlement until April 1, 2009. But this is only temporary. Annual leave cannot be replaced by payment in lieu per se – except on termination of employment.”

Although the change ensures that all workers receive paid time off for the eight bank holidays in addition to their statutory four weeks’ holiday, there’s no stipulation that staff take the extra eight days on the actual public holidays, adds Sarah. What’s important is that they are allowed extra time off during the course of the year.

Increases will be calculated proportionally, depending on when the leave year starts. And to avoid any confusion, the Government is providing an online calculator for everyone to work out their new holiday entitlement!

For more information on the impact of the new legislations contact Amanda Okill

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