A Reminder for St. Patrick’s Day : Public Holiday Pay & Entitlements:
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, it’s a good time for employers to ensure they are correctly applying public holiday pay and entitlements in line with the Organisation of Working Time Act.
Here’s a refresher on what you need to know to stay compliant.
Who is Entitled to Public Holiday Benefits?
All employees, including full-time, part-time, and casual workers, are entitled to public holiday benefits and, in the case of part time workers, provided they have worked at least 40 hours in the five weeks leading up to the holiday.
What Are the Entitlements?
Employees who qualify are entitled to one of the following:
- A paid day off on the public holiday
- An additional day’s pay
- A day off within a month of the public holiday
- An extra day of annual leave
How to Calculate Pay for Public Holidays
- Full-Time Employees: If they normally work on the day the public holiday falls, they should receive a paid day off,
or,
If required to work the public holiday, should receive double pay, or basic pay plus one of the entitlements listed above
or,
If they do not normally work that day, they should still receive one of the entitlements listed from 2 – 3, above.
- Part-Time Employees (provided they meet the 40 hour threshold): If they normally work on the day the public holiday falls, they should receive a paid day off,
or,
If required to work the public holiday, should receive double pay, or basic pay plus one of the other entitlements listed above
or,
If they do not normally work that day, they should still receive one of the entitlements listed from 2-4, above. Whether you choose to pay your employee an additional days pay or give time in lieu, this should be based on the calculation of one fifth of their working week.
- Employees with No Fixed Working Days: If an employee’s schedule varies, their entitlement is based on the average hours worked in the previous 13 weeks.
Managing St. Patrick’s Day for Your Workforce
- Advance Planning: Ensure employees are informed about their entitlements well in advance.
- Roster Considerations: If your business remains open on St. Patrick’s Day, plan your roster accordingly and communicate any alternative days off where applicable.
- Payroll Adjustments: Ensure payroll calculations correctly reflect any additional public holiday pay.
If you have any specific questions about public holiday pay calculations, our Team are happy to help.
