Acas has produced a new guide to help small businesses cope with changes in the minimum holiday allowance that came into force on 1st October.

Under the new law, the amount of holidays employees are allowed has increased from 20 days to 24 – including Bank Holidays – and this will eventually increase to 28 from April 2009.

Small business owners must now recalculate entitlement for all employees, inform them of the change in the law and ensure all new employment contracts reflect the change.

“With recent changes to holiday entitlement coming into play, this new guide will help employees calculate what they are entitled to and will help employers understand precisely what they should be providing,” said Susan Clews, Acas director.

“This will ensure that workers make the most of their holiday entitlement and help businesses – particularly smaller ones – plan effectively for periods when employees are away.”

The Holidays and holiday pay guide is available free online at www.acas.org.uk [1].