The government is being called upon to implement the changes to minimum holiday allowance sooner.
Under existing law, employers can force staff to take bank holidays, such as the Easter break, out of their statutory annual leave entitlement – currently 20 days for full time staff. However, from October 2008 employees will be entitled to 28 days paid leave.
Workers’ union the TUC is urging ministers not make employees wait until next autumn before they can get the additional days and bring in the legislation sooner.
“Over-worked, stressed out, holiday- poor employees are not going to be a firm's best asset,” said TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber.
“On the other hand, those staff who are able to book time off work, return refreshed with their batteries recharged, and are much more productive. The extra leave on offer to employees will make a real difference to the lives of millions of working people.
“Workers should be able to take the extra holiday from this autumn and not be forced to wait another year to get their holiday in full.”
According to the TUC, ‘previous increases in annual leave and any new bank holidays have come into effect with no detrimental effect on the economy, jobs, productivity or competitiveness’.
The organisation also pointed out that most UK employees would be unaffected by the change as they already enjoy more holiday than the legal minimum – the average being 25 days plus eight bank holidays.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
