If
we had a referendum in the UK about increasing our statutory holiday
entitlement, it would perhaps cause a huge rush at the polling stations and the
clamour would cause a stampede! In Switzerland, if more than 100,000 citizens
speak up about a particular issue, they get their voice heard in a referendum,
giving citizens the opportunity to have their say on changes to laws,
budgets etc.
Recently,
voters in Switzerland opted ‘out’ of
proposals to increase employee statutory annual entitlement from 4 to 6 weeks a
year, to bring them in line with other Western European neighbours.
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| Are British workers lucky to get nearly 6 weeks off a year? |
In
the UK, employees currently have a statutory right to 5.6 weeks annual leave and
public holidays can be used to make up the 5.6 weeks (20 days plus 8 days). In
Switzerland however, the proposals were voted against because business groups
warned that it could be too costly to the economy.
Perhaps
us Brits should consider ourselves lucky, especially since last year we enjoyed
an additional bank holiday to celebrate the royal wedding and again this year
to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – though it doesn’t mean that
everyone will be paid for this time off!
So
if the additional bank holiday for the Jubilee has thrown your business into
confusion, find out more information and some tips here
