Time off still to take

Employers should check if they have employees with a number of days holiday left still to take before the leave year ends. Although holidays have been the subject of recent case law, the law is still uncertain so employers should tread carefully when deciding how to tackle the situation.

The first thing an employer should do is, in good time, remind employees of how many days holiday they have remaining and encourage them to book these days as soon as possible because it may just be that some employees have forgotten.

If an employee asks if they can carry over some holiday into the next leave year, employers should check the terms and conditions of their employment to see if this is permitted.

Extra care should be taken when deciding whether to allow carry over where the employee has been on sick leave or maternity leave. Employers should contact Peninsula's 24 Hour Advice Service on 0844 892 2772 where carry over is requested.

Remember, giving payment in lieu of any untaken holidays at the end of a leave year where the employee is still in employment is unlawful.