New holiday legislation
Up until 30 September all employees in the UK are entitled by law to 4 weeks paid leave every year. New holiday legislation has now been introduced and as of 1 October all employers are required to give at least 4 bank holidays as paid leave in addition to the 4 weeks. That means that all employees will now be entitled to 4.8 weeks holiday per year.
This entitlement begins from the very first day of employment but cannot be taken until it has been accrued (e.g. one day’s holiday after thirteen days work). The holiday entitlement will be on a pro-rata equivalent.
The additional 4 days do not necessarily have to be taken on the actual bank holidays and it is up to the employer to choose when the holiday should be taken. Employers whose nannies do not accompany them on holidays may like to agree with their nannies, when employment starts, that at least part of their entitlement is to be taken when they themselves are on holiday.
In April 2009 legislation will change again and all employers will be required to give all 8 bank holidays as paid leave, bringing the total holiday entitlement up to 5.6 weeks.