Government announces changes to Working Time Regulations
Ippubblikat: 16 October 2001
From 25 October 2001, workers in the UK have the statutory right to paid annual leave from their first day of employment, and a corresponding right to compensation for any untaken leave on termination of employment. The new rights are the result of amendments to the Working Time Regulations 1998 [1] (UK9810154F [2]) announced by employment relations minister Alan Johnson on 28 September 2001, designed to bring UK law into line with a ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).[1] http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1998/19981833.htm[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-working-conditions/new-working-time-regulations-take-effect
Amendments to the UK's Working Time Regulations 1998 came into effect in October 2001. The changes remove the qualifying period of employment previously required in the UK for entitlement to paid annual leave, ruled unlawful by the European Court of Justice.
From 25 October 2001, workers in the UK have the statutory right to paid annual leave from their first day of employment, and a corresponding right to compensation for any untaken leave on termination of employment. The new rights are the result of amendments to the Working Time Regulations 1998 (UK9810154F) announced by employment relations minister Alan Johnson on 28 September 2001, designed to bring UK law into line with a ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
UK legislation previously provided that workers were entitled to paid annual leave only after 13 weeks continuous employment with the same employer, but in June 2001 the ECJ ruled (in case C-173/99) that this contravened the EU working time Directive (93/104/EC) (UK0107138N). The government subsequently undertook a short public consultation on proposed amendments to the Working Time Regulations to take account of the ECJ's judgment. An order amending the Regulations was laid before parliament on 27 September and was due to come into force on 25 October.
The new requirements provide for monthly accrual of paid leave entitlement during the first year of employment, at the rate per month of one 12th of the annual entitlement of four weeks' leave, rounded up to the nearest half-day. If employment ends during the first 13 weeks, workers will be entitled to payment for leave days which have been accrued but not taken during this period.
The government's move was welcomed by the Trades Union Congress. Its general secretary, John Monks, said in a statement: 'This is good news for particularly vulnerable groups of workers. New starters and those on short-term contracts will now get their holiday entitlement by right, instead of having to time-serve for it.'
Il-Eurofound jirrakkomanda li din il-pubblikazzjoni tiġi kkwotata kif ġej.
Eurofound (2001), Government announces changes to Working Time Regulations, article.
