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24/08/2001
TUC calls for three more bank holidays a year
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the British government to review bank holiday entitlement and to give British workers an extra three days every year.
The call came after the release of the report, ‘Banking on your holiday?’ which revealed that British workers enjoy only eight bank holidays a year compared to 12 in Italy, 13 in Austria and up to 14 in Spain and Portugal.
Unlike their European counterparts, British workers do not have a legal right to take these bank holidays, but have to rely on the generosity of their employers.
And while the UK and the Netherlands have the least public holidays amongst EU countries, Dutch workers have the right to be paid for their public holidays.
A loophole in the UK Working Time Directive regulations also means employers can count bank holidays as part of the 20 day annual leave entitlement leaving some UK employees, in theory with only 12 days annual leave after bank holidays.
In the UK, workers have no statutory rights to bank holidays, having to rely instead on the generosity of their employers. Whilst this is the case with some of the European bank holidays, the majority are statutory days which employees are entitled, by law, to take.
The TUC said that employment rights legislation should support public holidays, arguing that it must be made clear that public holidays are not part of the annual leave entitlement in the Working Time Directive (20 days a year).
TUC General Secretary John Monks said: “This report shows that again British workers have been put at the bottom of the EU pile. But they need proper time off work as much as their European colleagues.
“UK workers have the shortest holidays and the lowest productivity in Northern Europe. So offering more holidays makes sense for employers too - happier workers are more productive.” (MB)
The call came after the release of the report, ‘Banking on your holiday?’ which revealed that British workers enjoy only eight bank holidays a year compared to 12 in Italy, 13 in Austria and up to 14 in Spain and Portugal.
Unlike their European counterparts, British workers do not have a legal right to take these bank holidays, but have to rely on the generosity of their employers.
And while the UK and the Netherlands have the least public holidays amongst EU countries, Dutch workers have the right to be paid for their public holidays.
A loophole in the UK Working Time Directive regulations also means employers can count bank holidays as part of the 20 day annual leave entitlement leaving some UK employees, in theory with only 12 days annual leave after bank holidays.
In the UK, workers have no statutory rights to bank holidays, having to rely instead on the generosity of their employers. Whilst this is the case with some of the European bank holidays, the majority are statutory days which employees are entitled, by law, to take.
The TUC said that employment rights legislation should support public holidays, arguing that it must be made clear that public holidays are not part of the annual leave entitlement in the Working Time Directive (20 days a year).
TUC General Secretary John Monks said: “This report shows that again British workers have been put at the bottom of the EU pile. But they need proper time off work as much as their European colleagues.
“UK workers have the shortest holidays and the lowest productivity in Northern Europe. So offering more holidays makes sense for employers too - happier workers are more productive.” (MB)
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25 October 2004
Pressurised workers need more bank holidays, says TUC
The government should create three new bank holidays to help overstretched workers spend more time with their families, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC). As work-related stress costs the UK £4.4 billion a year, staff working excessive hours should expect a few extra days off to re-charge their batteries.
Pressurised workers need more bank holidays, says TUC
The government should create three new bank holidays to help overstretched workers spend more time with their families, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC). As work-related stress costs the UK £4.4 billion a year, staff working excessive hours should expect a few extra days off to re-charge their batteries.
05 June 2002
Up to 6 million people lost out on Jubilee holiday
With most people across the UK celebrating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, for those people having to work, the TUC has estimated that up to 6 million people may find their pay packet is lighter this month because of it.
Up to 6 million people lost out on Jubilee holiday
With most people across the UK celebrating the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, for those people having to work, the TUC has estimated that up to 6 million people may find their pay packet is lighter this month because of it.
14 January 2002
Take a working holiday with the National Trust
Are you bored with holidays that consist of little more than sun, sea, and sangria? Well, if the answer is yes, then the National Trust might be able to help with a new range of working holidays at some of Northern Ireland's most renowned beauty sports throughout 2002.
Take a working holiday with the National Trust
Are you bored with holidays that consist of little more than sun, sea, and sangria? Well, if the answer is yes, then the National Trust might be able to help with a new range of working holidays at some of Northern Ireland's most renowned beauty sports throughout 2002.
04 January 2002
All work and no holidays for UK’s long hours workers
Nearly a quarter of self-confessed workaholics do not take a single paid day’s holiday each year, a nationwide survey commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has found.
All work and no holidays for UK’s long hours workers
Nearly a quarter of self-confessed workaholics do not take a single paid day’s holiday each year, a nationwide survey commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has found.
13 June 2006
Low paid workers to benefit from more annual leave
Plans to ensure that workers get to take paid leave for bank holidays in addition to the statutory four weeks annual leave, have been set out in a government consultation.
Low paid workers to benefit from more annual leave
Plans to ensure that workers get to take paid leave for bank holidays in addition to the statutory four weeks annual leave, have been set out in a government consultation.
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