Research recently conducted by Citizens Advice has revealed that a staggering 50% of people on zero hours contracts wrongly assume they are not entitled to paid holiday. The research suggested that some employers were unwittingly misleading staff as a result of their own ignorance but others were deliberately flouting the law by exploiting their workers’ confusion.
In one particular case it was found that a care home worker who had worked 48 hours per week for five years was told by his employer that night workers were not entitled to paid holiday. This resulted in him missing out on almost £9,000 of paid holiday.
All workers whether employee or otherwise are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual holiday. Part-time workers or those with irregular hours are equally entitled to 5.6 days of paid annual leave however; the actual number of days they accrue is based on the number of days/hours worked.
Example: A staff member who works 3 days per week will have their annual leave calculated by multiplying 5.6 by 3 giving them 16.8 days per year.
If you are unsure how to calculate an employee’s holiday entitlement then please speak to your usual Backhouse contact for help.
The Backhouse Team
Tel: 01245 893400
Email: info@backhouse-solicitors.co.uk
Web: www.backhouse-solicitors.co.uk
Or visit our offices at 17 Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JU
