Sick-day holiday right fear for firms

EMPLOYEES will gain a right to extra time off if they fall ill during holidays under new European rules.

The change, following European Court of Justice rulings, will also protect time off for staff on maternity or paternity leave. They will be able to claim extra time for sick days during holidays or parental leave by producing a sick note.

The new rules, which mean all workers are guaranteed at least four weeks’ holiday a year, will take effect in October and are expected to cost business more than £100 million a year. Many companies already operate such a policy but the changes will come into force for all from October, sparking fears about the burden that will be placed on smaller firms.

Guy Bailey, the head of employment and employee relations at the Confederation of British Industry, said: “While active discussions are ongoing in Brussels on the future of the working-time directive, it may make sense for the UK government to pause before implementing the latest European Court of Justice rulings.

“Introducing a set of changes in October that immediately have to be reviewed and replaced would not be a good outcome.”

A Department for Business, Innovation and Skills spokesman said: “Our position remains we anticipate introducing secondary legislation in 2012, nothing has changed. As previously stated, changes to the working time regulations need to be made because of European Court rulings, however government will do all it can to minimise the burden on business.”