Holiday entitlement refers to the legal minimum number of days you're entitled to take off work each year, paid, for rest and relaxation. It's designed to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevent burnout.
Legally Entitled
This entitlement is determined by your employment contract and country's laws. It's your legal right as an employee, and your employer is obligated to provide it.
Calculating Holiday Entitlement
1
Annual Entitlement
Typically, this is 28 days per year, which includes bank holidays.
2
Working Days
The calculation is usually based on your working days per week, and may be pro-rated for part-time workers.
3
Legal Minimum
Your contract might offer more holiday days than the legal minimum. Always check your contract for details.
Full-time vs. Part-time Entitlement
Full-time
Full-time employees typically receive the full annual entitlement, often 28 days, including bank holidays.
Part-time
Part-time employees receive a pro-rated entitlement based on their working hours, calculated as a proportion of their full-time colleagues.
Accruing Holiday Time
1
Start Date
Holiday entitlement begins to accrue from your start date. You may need to wait a certain period (e.g., 3 months) before taking paid leave.
2
Continuous Accrual
Holiday days accumulate over time. This means you gain a certain amount of holiday each month, depending on your working days.
3
Paid Leave
Once accrued, you can request and take paid leave for holidays. Ensure you follow your company's holiday request process.
Carrying Over Unused Holiday Days
1
Legal Limit
In many countries, you can usually carry over a limited number of unused holiday days. Check your contract or country's laws for details.
2
Time Off
Your employer may encourage taking holiday days within a specific timeframe, such as the following year. It's good practice to take your holidays regularly.
3
Employer Discretion
Your employer may have policies about carrying over holiday days. You should consult with your HR department for specific guidance.
Holiday Pay and Compensation
Paid Leave
You are entitled to be paid for your holiday days, even though you are not working. This is called holiday pay.
Normal Earnings
Holiday pay is usually calculated based on your average earnings over a specific period, such as the last 12 weeks.
Additional Benefits
Some employers may offer additional benefits, such as bonuses or company contributions, in addition to your regular holiday pay.
Holiday Entitlement FAQs
How do I calculate my holiday entitlement?
This is typically calculated based on your working days per week and your annual entitlement. Refer to your contract or HR for details.
What is holiday pay?
This is the pay you receive for your holiday days, calculated based on your average earnings over a specific period.
Can I carry over unused holiday days?
You may be able to carry over some unused days, but there are often limits. Check your employment contract or country's laws for specifics.