I took the three weeks’ holiday that were owed me just before I left my job, but a week before my holidays they reduced my hours from 20 a week to 15. They then proceeded to give me holiday pay at the 15 hours rate. Are they allowed to do this?
This is a bit naughty. If you worked irregular hours your holiday pay would be based on your average earnings over the previous 12 weeks. However your hours weren’t really irregular: they were fixed – at 15 hours –when you took your holiday. If you didn’t object to the cut in hours at the time you will have difficulty arguing breach of contract in the County Court, although you may have more success at an employment tribunal. But you must apply for a tribunal within three months of receiving the reduced pay.