Disappointment looming over extra week's holiday

Wednesday, March 28th, 2007

Disappointment looming over extra week's holiday on April 1st

Businesses and their employees are in for a disappointment if they think they become entitled to an extra week's holiday on April 1st, says David Lowe, Employment Services Manager for EMA (Northern).

Many businesses will be shocked to learn the increase in holidays to four weeks is retrospective, and they may have to find up to a year's holiday pay if an employee leaves, Mr Lowe said.

"Conversely, most employees probably think they become entitled to the extra week's paid holiday on April 1st but many won't qualify for it until later in the year.

"Some won't get it until next year.

"An employee whose anniversary date with an employer is, say June 15th will have to wait until June 15th 2007 to qualify for the four weeks holiday.

"But if they leave their job next Monday, their employer has to pay out their holidays at the equivalent rate of four weeks back to June 15th 2006.

"An employee whose anniversary date is March 31st must wait until 2008 for the extra week while an employee who started a day later gets the extra holidays from Sunday.

"Employers are finding themselves in the firing line when they explain to some employees they have to wait until next year before they get the extra week's holiday.

"When a law comes in to effect on April 1st 2007, we should be able to rely on it being effective from that date," Mr Lowe said.

"It's what happens when legislation is based on out-dated work practices that ceased decades ago.

"Only 18 per cent of employers plan to offer more holidays to staff already with a four weeks holiday entitlement according to a recent EMA survey."

ENDS

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