From 1 April 2009 statutory paid annual leave will increase to 5.6 weeks (28 days)

[0iD]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employme...ys/DG_10029788

Since 1 October 2007 all workers have had a statutory right to at least 4.8 weeks paid annual leave (that's 24 days paid holiday if you work five days a week). From 1 April 2009 this entitlement will increase to 5.6 weeks (28 days).

Bit of good news I was not formerly aware of, and worryingly, neither was our HR Department. Anyone else aware of this?

[Bluecube]

Does that not include bank holidays though?

Pretty crap if you're a small business trying to make ends meet.

[Splash]

Hmmm... Can anyone see that places who were previously offering 25 days plus bank holidays will now start offering 25 days *including* them?

[eshrules]

Hmmm... Can anyone see that places who were previously offering 25 days plus bank holidays will now start offering 25 days *including* them?

well, '28 days' including them.

I certainly won't be complaining to my firm about my allowance, 25 days plus bank holidays suits me

[shaithis]

Hmmm... Can anyone see that places who were previously offering 25 days plus bank holidays will now start offering 25 days *including* them?

If they want staff riots

8 bank holidays in the UK.

[Fraz]

well, '28 days' including them.

I certainly won't be complaining to my firm about my allowance, 25 days plus bank holidays suits me

Hold on a minute - so you're honestly saying you wouldn't like more days holiday per year?

You need to see a head doctor.

[eshrules]

Hold on a minute - so you're honestly saying you wouldn't like more days holiday per year?

You need to see a head doctor.

if I've read the above link correctly, the holiday allowance is INCLUSIVE of bank holidays, IE my firm could pay me 28 days holiday, minus bank holidays, thus I would only have 20 days of 'free' holidays to book?

I currently get 25 days PLUS bank holidays = 33 days in total

[Splash]

well, '28 days' including them.

I certainly won't be complaining to my firm about my allowance, 25 days plus bank holidays suits me

Gah, I knew what I meant.

My point being - how would you feel if your 25 days plus bank holidays all of a sudden becomes 28 days including bank holidays?

Odds on some companies will try it. I can't see how smaller companies are going to be able to afford an extra 4 days of holiday in the current climate.

[Fraz]

if I've read the above link correctly, the holiday allowance is INCLUSIVE of bank holidays, IE my firm could pay me 28 days holiday, minus bank holidays, thus I would only have 20 days of 'free' holidays to book?

I currently get 25 days PLUS bank holidays = 33 days in total

Thankgod. For a minute there I thought you were insane.

[eshrules]

Gah, I knew what I meant.

My point being - how would you feel if your 25 days plus bank holidays all of a sudden becomes 28 days including bank holidays?

Odds on some companies will try it. I can't see how smaller companies are going to be able to afford an extra 4 days of holiday in the current climate.

hehe we both knew what you meant

I'd be pretty miffed and I should imagine more than a handful of the larger firms will certainly take the opportunity to reduce holidays, thus cost. My bet's on halifax, what with their extortion-come-overdraft-charges policy they've just announced.

[Saracen]

hehe we both knew what you meant

I'd be pretty miffed and I should imagine more than a handful of the larger firms will certainly take the opportunity to reduce holidays, thus cost. My bet's on halifax, what with their extortion-come-overdraft-charges policy they've just announced.

But it wouldn't reduce costs.

It never has been x days plus bank holidays, it's been x days including bank holidays. They're just changing x.

If you've been getting more than the X+bankhols minimum, you've been doing well, and your employer has been paying what that costs. You'll be getting the same, and they'll be paying the same.

Just because you've been getting minimum wage plus an amount, do you expect your pay to go up with minimum wage increases? Suppose you earn £20,000 and minimum wage is £10,920 (i.e. an assumed £6 per hour, 35 hours per week for 52 weeks). If minimum wage goes up to £7/hour, it won't affect what you get paid and it won't affect what you cost your employer in wages.

For those already getting more than the statutory minimum, I can't see any reason why they should expect to get more, either in wages or paid annual holiday, just because the statutory minimum increases.

....

My point being - how would you feel if your 25 days plus bank holidays all of a sudden becomes 28 days including bank holidays?

Odds on some companies will try it. I can't see how smaller companies are going to be able to afford an extra 4 days of holiday in the current climate.

How you should feel is pleased that some of those less fortunate than yourself (if you do better than the minimum) are finally getting a bit extra.

And there's no reason why companies that pay more than the minimum should take a blind bit of notice that the minimum has changed ..... unless they have contracts that say "minimum plus y days". I've never heard of such a contract, but it's possible I suppose.

[Zak33]

Hold on a minute - so you're honestly saying you wouldn't like more days holiday per year?

You need to see a head doctor.

Maybe, like me he feels an obligation to work hard for his employer, and doesn't feel as though he's being hard done by at the moment.

This last year is the first year, in 18 years of full time employment, that I've taken all of my holiday entitlement. I have never ever taken it all before. ever.

And I dont feel hard done by. I get my job done, exceed expectation where I can, and dont see many reasons to complain if I have full time work.

On the other hand, I'm glad OiD pointed this out, as I had no idea it was going up, and it's good to know about, even if I dont use it all.

[Zak33]

Does that not include bank holidays though?

Pretty crap if you're a small business trying to make ends meet.

I agree fully with your sentiment, especially as most places are struggling to survive currently, and are cutting back on staff to get by.

Seems like bad timing to me tbh