The Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) have issued a consultation documentation entitled “Success at Work” seeking to start consultation with industry about the proposed increase to holiday entitlements.

The Working Time Regulations require employers to give employees 4 weeks holiday with pay each year. Many businesses (particularly smaller businesses) have included the statutory holidays within the entitlement and, based on a 5 day week have given the employees 12 days of annual leave and the 8 bank holidays each year.

The trade union movement has campaigned long and hard against this and have always insisted that the Regulations were introduced to facilitate 4 weeks holiday in addition to the 8 bank holidays.

The Government appears to be caving in to the Trade Union pressure and hence the issue of the consultation paper. Consultation ended on 22nd September 2006 and we will publish further details when they are available.

It is also ironic that the DTI have confirmed that they currently have no idea as to what the cost and impact will be on British business.

What do you think about the proposed increase to staff holiday entitlement? Let us know by completing our form via the link below.