Bank holidays when part time

[norfolknights]

Hi
Do you think I am owed a days holiday?

I started a new job recently. The offer letter (which I signed) stated my start day was 3rd May. As this was a bank holiday, closer to my start date I emailed the new company just to check if they wanted me in on 3rd or 4th. They confirmed 4th. My job is 4 days per week but the offer letter kept it open as to which day I wouldn't work. When I started they asked if I could take Mondays as my non-work day. Fine by me but I was a bit confused that first week whether I should be working 3 or 4 days due to the bank holiday. In the end I worked 4 days as they had booked training for me each day. Several forms I have been given also state me joining date for the company is 4th May not 3rd.
I may be being petty but am I owed a days holiday due to that first week? I'm also assuming I'll be paid less if they calcaute my first months pay on a starting date of 4th rather than 3rd. My offer letter stated a set holiday amount plus all bank holidays. Any opinions?
Thank you!

If you agreed your start date was the 4th, I'm afraid I don't think you are owed a day's pay for the Monday, no.

A bit late now, but next time just keep quiet and have your start day as a non working day!

If you agreed that Mondays would be your non-work day then it would make no difference if your starting date was the 3rd or 4th, surely? You will get paid for 4 days in your first week just as you normally would every other week, so it's made no difference.

However if Monday is going to usually be a non-working day obviously that means you will not benefit from any of the bank holidays that fall on a Monday because you wouldn't have been working anyway. You need to be sure you are getting a fair proportion of bank holidays over the year so you don't lose out because of being part time.

It depends how they calculate your annual leave. At our place they calculate annual leave for those on part time contracts to take into account bank holidays. For example I work a 4 day week taking monday afternoon and friday afternoon off, so my annual leave entitlement is calculated differently from a colleague working a 4 day week who has a friday as their non-working day.

Unseen - that is the way they have to calculate holiday due to part timers by law. It isn't optional as long as holiday given in full time contracts includes bank holidays.

The issue with the OP is whether she should be paid for the bank holiday which would have been her start date.

Unfortunately, as she agreed a start date of the 4th then this is when her employment starts and when she will be paid from.