Part-time workers have equal holiday rights - it's just calculated differently to reflect their working pattern.
Part-Time Holiday Rights
The Principle
Part-time workers are entitled to:
- Same proportion of holiday as full-time workers
- 5.6 weeks annual leave
- Calculated based on working pattern
- No less favourable treatment
Legal Protection
| Right | Basis |
|---|
| Pro-rata holiday | Working Time Regulations |
| Equal treatment | Part-Time Workers Regulations |
| No discrimination | Based on part-time status |
Calculating Holiday
Days-Based Calculation
| Full-Time Equivalent | Part-Time | Holiday Days |
|---|
| 5 days/week | 5 days | 28 days |
| 5 days/week | 4 days | 22.4 days |
| 5 days/week | 3 days | 16.8 days |
| 5 days/week | 2 days | 11.2 days |
| 5 days/week | 1 day | 5.6 days |
Formula
Part-time holiday = Days worked per week × 5.6 weeks
Examples
| Pattern | Calculation | Holiday |
|---|
| 3 days/week | 3 × 5.6 | 16.8 days |
| 4 days/week | 4 × 5.6 | 22.4 days |
| 2.5 days/week | 2.5 × 5.6 | 14 days |
Hours-Based Calculation
When It's Better
Hours calculation is fairer when:
| Situation | Why Hours Better |
|---|
| Different length days | Monday 8hrs, Tuesday 4hrs |
| Varying shifts | Different hours each day |
| Annualised hours | Complex patterns |
Hours Formula
Holiday hours = Weekly hours × 5.6
Example
| Working Pattern | Calculation | Holiday Hours |
|---|
| 20 hours/week | 20 × 5.6 | 112 hours |
| 15 hours/week | 15 × 5.6 | 84 hours |
| 25 hours/week | 25 × 5.6 | 140 hours |
Bank Holidays
The Issue
Full-time workers often get:
- 20 days basic holiday
- Plus 8 bank holidays
- = 28 days total
Part-time workers must get equivalent proportion.
How It Works
| Approach | Description |
|---|
| All inclusive | 5.6 weeks includes bank holidays |
| Separate treatment | Basic leave + pro-rata bank holidays |
Working on Bank Holidays
| If Part-Timer Works | Entitlement |
|---|
| On bank holiday | Take day off in lieu |
| Not scheduled that day | Pro-rata bank holiday allowance |
Example Calculation
Part-timer works 3 days (Mon-Wed):
| Bank Holiday | Falls On | Impact |
|---|
| Christmas Day | Wednesday | Off, uses 1 day |
| Boxing Day | Thursday | Not scheduled - no impact |
| Easter Monday | Monday | Off, uses 1 day |
Compressed Hours
Definition
Working full-time hours over fewer days:
| Pattern | Hours | Days |
|---|
| Standard | 35 hours | 5 days |
| Compressed | 35 hours | 4 days |
Holiday Calculation
| Method | Result |
|---|
| Days | 5.6 × 4 = 22.4 days |
| Hours | 5.6 × 35 = 196 hours |
Hours often makes more sense for compressed patterns.
Term-Time Workers
Holiday for Term-Time Only
Special considerations:
| Issue | Approach |
|---|
| Fewer weeks worked | Still entitled to 5.6 weeks |
| Often included in pay | Rolled up holiday pay |
| Calculate carefully | Based on hours/weeks worked |
Calculation
| Element | Consideration |
|---|
| Weeks worked | E.g., 38 term weeks |
| Hours per week | E.g., 25 hours |
| Annual hours | 38 × 25 = 950 |
| Holiday hours | 950 × 12.07% = 114.7 hours |
Variable Hours
Irregular Part-Time
If hours vary week to week:
| Method | Calculation |
|---|
| Average hours | Over reference period |
| 12.07% accrual | Of hours worked (for some workers) |
From April 2024
| Worker Type | Holiday Method |
|---|
| Regular part-time | Standard pro-rata |
| Irregular hours | 12.07% of hours worked |
| Part-year workers | 12.07% of hours worked |
Common Problems
Less Than Full-Time Equivalent
| Problem | Protection |
|---|
| Less pro-rata holiday | Unlawful |
| Worse terms | Discrimination |
| No bank holidays | Must be compensated |
What to Do
| Step | Action |
|---|
| Calculate | Your correct entitlement |
| Compare | With what you receive |
| Raise | With employer if wrong |
| Claim | If not resolved |
Taking Holiday
Booking Leave
| Consideration | Impact |
|---|
| Days vs hours | Know what system used |
| Bank holidays | Know how they count |
| Half days | How are they calculated |
When Days Vary
If you work different length days:
| Day | Hours | Taking Leave |
|---|
| Monday | 8 hours | Uses 8 hours holiday |
| Tuesday | 4 hours | Uses 4 hours holiday |
Hours-based tracking prevents unfairness.
Bank Holiday Examples
Scenario 1: Works Mondays Only
If you only work Mondays:
| Bank Holiday | Falls | Impact |
|---|
| Christmas | Not Monday | No holiday used |
| Easter Monday | Monday | Uses holiday day |
Should get pro-rata of bank holiday entitlement.
Scenario 2: Works Mon-Wed
Working 3 days (Mon-Wed), full-timers get 8 bank holidays:
| Pro-rata | 3/5 × 8 = 4.8 days |
| Actual bank holidays on working days | Count them |
| If fewer fall on your days | Extra leave to compensate |
| If more fall on your days | May use more holiday |
Practical Tips
Understanding Your Entitlement
| Step | Action |
|---|
| Know your pattern | Hours/days per week |
| Calculate correctly | Using formulas |
| Check policy | How bank holidays work |
| Compare | With full-time equivalent |
Questions to Ask
- Is my holiday calculated in days or hours?
- How are bank holidays handled?
- What happens if I work on a bank holiday?
- How do I book half days?
If Something's Wrong
| Action | Detail |
|---|
| Raise informally | With manager/HR |
| Put in writing | Document concern |
| Grievance | If not resolved |
| Tribunal | For unlawful treatment |
Legal Protections
Part-Time Workers Regulations
You cannot be treated less favourably:
| Aspect | Protection |
|---|
| Holiday entitlement | Pro-rata minimum |
| Holiday pay | Same rate |
| Bank holidays | Fair treatment |
| Terms generally | No worse |
Making a Claim
| Claim | Time Limit |
|---|
| Less favourable treatment | 3 months |
| Unlawful deduction (pay) | 3 months (can be extended) |
| Discrimination | 3 months |