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May 12, 2017

Calculating holiday pay – change on the horizon?

In the UK, many employers calculate holiday pay based on basic salary alone – even if an employee usually receives commission. However, a landmark court case seems set to change this.

Last year the Court of Appeal in British Gas v Lock held that employers must consider commission payments when calculating holiday pay under the Working Time Directive (WTD). However, the Court remained silent on whether the same rule would apply in other cases, for example, where employees receive a single, results-based commission or annual bonus.

Summary of the case

Mr Lock was a sales consultant for British Gas, and was paid a commission which greatly exceeded his basic salary. While on holiday, he was paid at the rate of his basic salary – and claimed this was an unauthorised deduction from his wages. An Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) agreed with him, finding that under the WTD, ‘normal remuneration’ included his commission and should be included in his holiday pay.

How could the ruling affect UK employers?

The ruling sets a precedent for commission to be included in holiday pay if it is intrinsically linked to the performance of tasks in an employee or worker’s employment contract.

While the calculation is left up to national courts to determine under national law, it must be based on the average commission earned “over a reference period which is considered to be representative”. When writing this article, the Tribunal had not considered the appropriate reference period to be applied to calculate Mr Lock’s commission. Although, it was likely to be based on average earnings over the 12-week period before holiday is taken.

In light of Lock and other recent case law, employers are advised to review their holiday pay calculations to ensure they comply with the changes. As it’s unclear how such payments should be calculated, tribunals will likely approach the issue on a case-by-case basis.

In short

“COMMISSION MUST BE INCLUDED IN HOLIDAY PAY IF IT IS INTRINSICALLY LINKED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF TASKS IN AN EMPLOYEE’S OR WORKER’S EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT”

  • Following a landmark court case, employees must consider commission when calculating holiday pay
  • Holiday pay must include commission if it’s part of an employee’s ‘normal remuneration’
  • Pay will be calculated based on the amount of commission earned in a representative period.

If you have an employment query, speak to Karen Cole today.

Note: This is not legal advice; it provides information of general interest about current legal issues.

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