EU to change sick leave entitlement

If employees fall ill during annual leave, they will have a legal right to take more time off work, it has been reported.

New European regulations which are due to come into force will also offer protection to workers on maternity and paternity leave, it has emerged. If staff become sick during holiday leave, employers must give them extra days off once they have handed in a sick note, The Daily Telegraph said.

The alterations, which guarantee staff a minimum of four weeks holiday each year, will come into effect in October. It is thought businesses will lose £100 million each year because of the new laws.

A number of firms already have this policy in place, but the changes will effect all companies from October. It is thought smaller firms will be fearful of the burden placed upon them.

CBI’s head of employment and employee relations, Guy Bailey, told The Telegraph:

“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.”

IBB’s Employment Team provides advice on the employment aspects of all major business decisions. To contact a member of the team for advice, call us on 01895 207892 or email employment@ibblaw.co.uk