We are so grateful to all the key workers in the UK who are working around the clock to keep us as safe as possible. To ensure these unsung heroes don’t lose out on their holiday entitlement, the Business Secretary has created the Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. Read this post for more…..
The Working Time Regulations 1998 provides workers with various rights regarding working time. This includes rules relating to daily and weekly hours of work, rest breaks and annual leave. The Regulations provide workers with 5.6 weeks of annual leave (4 weeks of ordinary leave plus 1.6 additional leave).
The 4 weeks of ordinary annual leave given by the Regulations cannot generally be carried over unless a worker is unwell or on maternity leave, meaning if the worker fails to use their holiday in their leave year, they will lose it.
In a welcome move taken on Friday 27 March 2020, the Business Secretary Alok Sharma has confirmed that those workers who are unable to take holiday because of the COVID19 pandemic, will now be able to carry their leave over into the next 2 leave years. She is quoted to have said:
“Whether it is in our hospitals, or our supermarkets, people are working around the clock to help our country deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Today’s changes will mean these valued employees do not lose out on the annual leave they are entitled to as a result of their efforts, and employers are not penalised”[1]
This change is so important and gives sensible reassurance to those employers and workers who are presently keeping us all ticking over during the current crisis.
We continue to be available to advise on all employment law issues but for the safety of our clients and staff, we are operating remotely. If you need specialist employment law advice, at a time to suit you, please call Lincs Law Solicitors on 01522 440512, or visit our website www.lincslaw.co.uk for more information about the services we provide.
Sophie Goodwill
Director, Specialist Employment Law Solicitor
LincsLaw Solicitors, Lincoln
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rules-on-carrying-over-annual-leave-to-be-relaxed-to-support-key-industries-during-covid-19
Tags: COVID19 Employment Law Advice Lincoln Holiday Pay Specialist Employment Solicitors