Many employees receive their holiday pay into their account these days. However, we notice that De Unie that there is sometimes uncertainty: are you always entitled to it? How much exactly should you receive? And can your employer pay it at another time? Time for clarity!
Join now, starting from €0
What exactly is holiday pay?
Holiday pay (officially: holiday allowance) is a supplement of at least 8% on top of your gross salary of the past year. It is intended to make your holiday financially possible. You usually build it up monthly, but in practice you often receive it in May or June.
According to the National government you are legally entitled to holiday pay, unless you earn more than three times the minimum wage. In that case, your employer may theoretically deviate from this, but in practice this is rare.
How much holiday pay do you get?
The standard is 8% of your gross salary over the past year. Note: this is about your wage. Additional income such as an end-of-year bonus or bonus does not count towards the calculation. Overtime or shift allowance can count towards the calculation. Check the collective labor agreement or your employment contract for this. Do you work via a temporary employment agency or on an on-call basis? Then sometimes different rules apply, so check your contract or collective labor agreement carefully.
The program Nibud offers useful tools to calculate your holiday pay.
When will you get it?
Most people receive their holiday pay in May or June, but employers are allowed to deviate from this if it is stated in your contract. As long as you have received it by 30 June at the latest. Is that not the case? Or are you unsure whether the amount is correct? Please contact us. We are happy to help you gain clarity and take action where necessary.
Tax and holiday pay: a downer?
Many people expect a higher amount of holiday pay than is ultimately deposited into their account. Not because the Tax Authorities want to disadvantage you, but because holiday pay falls under the category of 'special wages', for which a higher tax rate applies.
What if you are ill or become unemployed?
Even if you are ill, your holiday pay continues to accrue. If you become unemployed, the UWV will pay out holiday pay on your unemployment benefit. You can read more about this on the website of the UWV.
What does De Unie?
De Unie checks collective labor agreements and helps you if you think you are receiving too little holiday pay. Are you in doubt? Please contact our Service Center. We are available on workdays between 8:30 and 17:00 via 0345 851 963 of sc@unie.nl. Together we ensure that you get what you are entitled to.
Tip from Karin Oosterveld: Use your holiday pay wisely. The Nibud tool helps you choose: save, pay off debts or book that holiday after all?
Karin Oosterveld, team manager, employment law attorney
