WORKING during the holidays can be daunting but you could be entitled to compensation or extra time back.
Depending on your work contract, you might be asked to work on Christmas or Boxing day.
If you are a service industry worker, your contract probably already includes holiday work.
However, some bosses might decide to offer their employees extra pay such as double time on Christmas bank holidays.
You might be asked to work for the same salary as normal, though, as it is not legally obligatory.
Your yearly leave allocation may or may not include bank holidays, too.
Here is all the information you need to know about if you are required to work this Christmas, whether you will receive additional compensation, and whether you are eligible for time off in lieu.
Do I have to work on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day?
If you normally work weekends or your workplace is open during bank holidays, you’ll likely have to work on Christmas.
If you want it off, you might have to book an annual leave.
According to government guidelines, employers are not required to provide paid vacation on bank or public holidays.
However, a company may decide to incorporate them into an employee’s legally required yearly leave.
Do I have to work on bank holidays over Christmas?
Your employer may occasionally state that you are entitled to a specific number of days of annual leave “exclusive of” bank holidays.
For example, your contract can permit you to take any bank holidays in addition to 20 paid vacation days annually.
You cannot be forced to work on a bank holiday if your holiday is scheduled in this manner.
Your holiday entitlement will be described as “inclusive of” bank holidays in the second type of contract.
In this scenario, you will need to schedule days off if you wish to take advantage of any bank holidays over Christmas, New Year’s, or Easter.
You might not be able to take those days off at all, depending on the kind of work you do.
However, if you have to work on the bank holiday, you can be granted a day off at a different time.
Can you get double or triple time if you work over Christmas?
Employers aren’t legally required to offer you a double or triple time if you work bank holidays.
However, it is important to check your contract for any clauses for holiday or Christmas policies.
Some firms choose to reward their staff for work over Christmas period and you could pocket triple your pay.
But you have to read through your contract carefully to find out what you’re entitled to.
