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11 December 2014 / Sarah Johnson
Issue: 7634 / Categories: Features , Employment
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Holiday pay hell?

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What does Bear Scotland mean for employers, asks Sarah Johnson

The news has been full of holiday pay stories recently, but are employers facing holiday pay hell?

Yes, in that they will almost certainly have to include some variable payments, such as commission, in holiday pay, creating potentially significant liabilities. However, things looked a lot worse before the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision in the joined cases of Bear Scotland Ltd and Others v Fulton and Others UKEATS/0047/13/BI, Hertel (UK) Limited v Woods and Others UKEAT/0160/14/SM and A mec Group Limited v Law and Others UKEAT/0161/14/SM (EAT decision).

Unite, the union representing the claimants, has now said it will not appeal.

Background

We are in this position because the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) has held that our Working Time Regulations 1998 (regulations) do not comply with the European Working Time Directive (directive).

The directive provides employees/workers with at least four weeks’ paid annual leave in order to improve their health and safety. The UK “gold-plated” the directive, adding an

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft strengthens Scottish real estate capabilitywith partner appointment

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Brendan Ryan as partner in Public Law Projects team

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers welcomes five new barristers

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