This year’s Christmas and New Year public holidays are a bit tricky as they fall partially on the weekend.

The public holidays for Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Friday and are observed on the days they fall. That part is easy.

Boxing Day and the Day After New Year’s Day fall on a Saturday and special rules apply to them.

The three examples linked below show the 2009/10 holiday entitlements for some common working arrangements: Example 1 – employee who normally works Monday to Friday Example 2 – employee who normally works Monday to Saturday and is required to work work on Boxing and the Day after New Year’s Day this year  Example 3 – employees who normally work Tuesday to Friday

An employee is not entitled to more than four public holidays over the Christmas and New Year period.

You can work out holiday pay and leave with our Holidays Online Tool, or visit our website for more detailed information on: 

• Public holiday entitlements
• Annual leave