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Holiday pay

Vivienne14

Vivienne14

Kentish Brummie Moderator
Staff member
There are lots of small adverts in the newspapers like these which are from employees thanking their employers for holiday pay. Seems incredible to think today that holiday pay wasn’t an entitlement. These ads are from the 1940s and they use the words ‘generosity’ and ‘kindness’ in thanking employers. Seems unthinkable today.

Did non-payment for holiday leave continue beyond this time ? I only remember a time when holiday pay was automatic. But do others remember otherwise ? How could you afford to take time off ? Some families must have struggled through this time off if holiday pay wasn’t given. How on earth did you get through the two week ‘shut-down ? Viv.

A6623561-A09C-4927-8813-CAC9DC653350.jpeg
 
You certainly dig these little gems up Viv, great subject. As I recall it was the holiday with pay act (?), around 1938 that started it. I have a feeling that it did not apply to every employer, or what the criteria was.
We all know about the zero contracts in our gig economy today, so even now, some people don’t get holiday pay. I recall the equal pay act coming in around 1974. Even now, there is still a pay gap between men and women.
When I started work, holiday pay was bought with holiday stamps in advance. So, in my first job, I worked from September to end of March without any holiday. On 1 April I was entitled to about five days for the year.
There is also statutory holiday too, bank holidays and Christmas, but don’t know when this was introduced.
It was Billy Butlin who capitalised on the holidays at work act and used the slogan “a week away for a week’s pay”. A week full board at a Butlin’s camp would cost around about a week’s pay. He bought adorable holidays wo many working people.
 
The terms employer and employees are in general use in the 1940s, but going back
further it would be masters and servants.
 
Having said I only remember being paid holiday pay, I don’t think I got holiday pay (or time off in lieu) when I had a Saturday job (Boots the Chemist) or as a student in a factory (Midland Counties) in the 1970s. I suppose temporary work was excluded. Viv.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Having said I only remember being paid holiday pay, I don’t think I got holiday pay (or time off in lieu) when I had a Saturday job (Boots the Chemist) or as a student in a factory (Midland Counties) in the 1970s. I suppose temporary work was excluded. Viv.
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Yes, you were one of the ‘casual workers’, minimal terms and conditions, no sick pay either.
 
The early impact of holiday pay on firms, trains accommodation etc. This was from the Walsall Observer in February 1939. Viv.EB928C09-645F-4428-A6DE-D10F10AADCA4.jpeg
 
In the 70s my husband was an electrician working on contracts for housing developements, he and any contractor he worked for were registered with the Joint Industries board.
The contractors he worked for bought a stamp from the JIB for every week he worked and they were cashed in when he had his holidays
No sick pay so if he had a couple of weeks off sick it meant his holiday pay was reduced.
 
cookie273uk said:
I read that even now Holiday Pay is not given in numerous American firms. Eric
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Interesting point Eric. America does have this outward face of wealth and opportunity, but everyday people are having to do two or three jobs to make ends meet. Very long hours, very little holiday and an almost nine existent health and safety regime.

If you buy online in America, some retailers will insist on you wavering your consumer rights before they sell to you.
 
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