Browse frequently asked questions and answers on key HR issues. Navigate by topic or key word search. View latest additions or suggest a question to the XpertHR editorial team.


What is the minimum statutory provision for paid holiday?

Can unused statutory annual holiday be carried forward to the next holiday year?

Can unused statutory annual holiday be replaced by a payment in lieu?

Does reg.13A of the Working Time Regulations 1998 affect all employers?

Is an employer legally obliged to offer all its workers holiday payment?

What are part-time workers' rights to paid holiday?

Does an employer have to pay holiday pay to its casual workers?

Are mobile workers in road transport covered by the Working Time Regulations 1998?


Can workers take holiday whenever they like?

No. In the absence of any arrangement or agreement to the contrary, a worker must give notice equal to twice the length of the holiday that he or she wishes to take. The employer can then give counter notice requiring that the leave not be taken, so long as this counter notice is equivalent to the length of the holiday requested, and the worker is not prevented from taking the leave to which he or she is entitled in that holiday year. Employers can also require workers to take leave at particular times, such as over the Christmas period or during the annual factory shutdown. The employer must give notice equal to twice the length of holiday that it wishes the workers to take.

During their first year of employment, workers may be permitted to take only that portion of their full 5.6-week entitlement to paid annual holiday that has accrued due to them at the material time, calculated monthly in advance.

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Should an employer insist that holiday is taken?

How should an employer compute a week's pay in relation to an employee's holiday pay entitlement?

What is a workforce agreement on holiday?

What are bank holidays?

Can bank holidays be included in a worker's statutory leave entitlement?

Are employees entitled to time off for bank holidays in addition to the statutory minimum annual leave entitlement of 5.6 weeks?

Is an employee who is required to work on bank holidays entitled to extra pay?

Are employees who are required to work on bank holidays entitled to pay in lieu of time off, or additional holiday?

Can employees be required to take annual leave on bank holidays?

Are part-time workers entitled to bank holidays?

If a part-time or shift-working employee is not scheduled to work on a bank holiday, is he or she entitled to an additional day's holiday?

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