New ruling means workers will accrue holiday while on sick leave

15th June 2009

Employees on long-term sick leave will be entitled to take all holiday that they have accrued when they return to work, the House of Lords ruled yesterday.

Small business owners have criticised the ruling, which means that someone who had been on sick leave for two years would be entitled to around 40 days of paid holiday on their return.

"Allowing workers to accrue statutory paid holiday entitlement during sickness absence will have serious financial and practical ramifications for employers across the UK," said Tim Marshall, partner and UK head of employment at lawyers DLA Piper.
 

Source: Newbusiness.co.uk