Labour Research May 2002

Law Matters

Holiday rights for long-term sick

Workers on long-term sickness absence or taking unpaid leave have the right to at least four weeks' paid holidays a year, according to the Employment Appeal Tribunal. The right to holidays under the Working Time Regulations applies regardless of whether or not the worker has served a period of "working time". Union reps need to be aware of the rights that workers may have under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, in case any employers use this ruling to take action against employees on long-term sick leave.