Bank Holidays for Part-Time Workers

[ionaming]

Hiya, hope someone can help with this. I currently work 3 full days per week, so 3/5 th of a standard week. My company says that as there are 8 bank holidays per year, I have to work an extra 3 days each year(unpaid) to make up for me being part-time but still getting 8 bank holidays. Is this correct? I never had this at my previous company where I worked 4 days per week (30 hours).

From November, I will then be changing my hours to slightly more, say 25 hours per week, but spread over 5 days (5 hrs per day). They are saying I still need to make up the 3 bank holidays. Is this correct too?! I feel that as I will only be working a 5 hour day, when a bank holiday occurs I will only be benefitting from 5 hours off work (rather than 7.5 hours), so why should I have to make up the extra time? They are not paying me 7.5 hours pay on the 8 bank holidays!

Hope this makes sense & someone can let me know if my company is correct in both cases.

Thanks, Iona

Thanks Hatstand! So basically, if I go back to the 2nd paragraph of my very first post, then this is saying exactly the same as what you've just said!!!! . I thought it made sense!

I'm the first part-time worker (started FT, then made myself indispensible & after 6 months asked to go part-time coz missing DD too much!) & also the only parent, so they are treading new ground with me. It's a very small company (about 15 of us) and they've been very flexible with me over chopping & changing hours to fit in with nursery, pre-school, then part-time school + nursery, and (soon) FT school! They actually used a specialist outside company just for me to draw up my contract, can't remember what it was called.

Do you know if there are any good "law" type sites that would have this set out in writing? Thanks, Iona

if it's a small company and they've never done this before then aren't they just doing they're sums wrong? It's obviously not a case of established policy to do people over. Can't you put your argument in writing and persuade them?

sorry - just read your post properly - that's obviously your intent. can't think of anything to help you. hope you manage to persuade them

Thanks for all the help everyone. Judging by all the different stories, it seems to be a very confusing & common issue. I will speak to my manager on Monday & fight my case!

Just thought I'd update you with the news that my Company consulted their Employment Law legal advisors & we were proved right .

I AM entitled to all 8 bank holidays paid at my usual 5.5 hour day rate. I was SO cross with them not seeing my point of view, I was prepared to resign, so I'm glad they've had to back down & admit they were wrong. Thanks everyone!