Working hours, overtime, annual leave
Extension of on-call protection arrangements to March 2010
The protection period for on-call arrangements that were due to expire in September have been extended to March 2010. Work has started on developing a new NHS arrangement and RCN Senior Employment Relations Adviser, Gerry O'Dwyer would like to hear from you if you work on-call, standby or sleep-in. Please let him know your working arrangements and how you are presently paid.
Contact Gerry O'Dwyer: gerry.o'dwyer@rcn.org.uk
Read Pay circular AforC 5/2008 (PDF, 28.7KB) [How to access PDF files].
Working hours
The new system will introduce standardised arrangements for certain core terms and conditions, including hours, overtime and annual leave.
The standard working week will be 37½ hours.
Overtime
There will be a single harmonised rate of time-and-a-half for all overtime, and on Bank Holidays double time. Part-time staff will receive this payment when overtime exceeds 37.5 hours otherwise it is at plain time rate.
Annual leave
All staff will receive the same entitlements to annual leave rising from 27 to 33 days with length of service excluding public holidays as follows:
| Length of service | Annual leave and general public holidays |
|---|---|
| On appointment | 27 days + 8 days |
| After 5 years service | 29 days + 8 days |
| After 10 years service | 33 days + 8 days |
Under the new arrangements an employee's continuous previous service with an NHS employer will count as reckonable service in respect annual leave.
Employers will have the discretion to take into account any period of employment with employers outside the NHS where it is judged to be relevant to NHS employment.
On returning to NHS employment, previous NHS service which is discontinuous will be counted towards the employee's entitlement to annual leave.