Holiday Pay Calculations Shouldn’t Be Complicated
Calculating holiday pay can quickly become confusing, especially when your employees work different hours, earn overtime or receive variable pay. Getting it wrong can lead to unhappy staff, unexpected costs and compliance concerns. As a busy employer, you shouldn’t have to spend hours working through complicated rules or second-guessing your figures.
With Simplex, you get reliable holiday pay calculation support tailored to your business, helping you pay employees correctly, reduce payroll headaches and focus on running your business with confidence.
Keep Your Staff Happy
Pay your employees the right holiday pay, every time. Avoid disputes, build trust and keep your team happy knowing they’re being paid fairly.
Avoid Costly Mistakes
Stay on top of UK holiday pay rules without the stress. Reduce the risk of payroll errors, unexpected costs and compliance issues.
Save Time & Hassle
Leave the complicated calculations to Simplex. Spend less time worrying about payroll and more time focusing on your business and your people.
What to Expect from Our Holiday Pay Calculation Services
No two businesses manage their teams in exactly the same way. Whether you employ salaried staff, part-time workers or people with changing shifts, Simplex helps you manage holiday pay with less hassle.
Your holiday pay support can include:
✅ Holiday pay calculations for full-time and part-time employees
✅ Holiday pay for variable-hours and zero-hours workers
✅ Overtime and commission included where required
✅ Average holiday pay calculations using the relevant reference period
✅ Rolled-up holiday pay for eligible workers
✅ Final holiday pay calculations when employees leave
We take the time to understand your payroll arrangements, so you receive support that fits the way your business actually works.
Take the Stress Out of Holiday Pay Calculations
You have enough to think about when running a business. Holiday pay shouldn’t be another headache.
With Simplex, you’ll have approachable payroll support, accurate calculations and someone to turn to whenever questions come up.
Let’s make your payroll simpler, together.
“This service is state of the art – using all apps and synced devices to make the usually laborious job of keeping track of income and expenditure an absolute doddle.”
Tony, Film Producer
Get Holiday Pay Right, Every Time
Holiday pay isn’t always straightforward. Most UK workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave, but calculations vary depending on working hours and earnings.
Variable pay, overtime and commission can make things more complicated, with some employees requiring a 52-week average. From April 2026, employers must also keep holiday pay and leave records for at least six years.
That’s where Simplex can help.
We take care of the calculations, help you stay compliant and reduce costly payroll mistakes, giving you more time to focus on your business.
Why Businesses Choose Simplex
At Simplex, we believe accounting and payroll support should feel personal, not complicated.
You won’t be left trying to understand confusing figures or waiting endlessly for answers. We’re approachable, proactive and genuinely interested in helping your business succeed.
Unlimited Communication
Call, text or email whenever you need support, without extra communication charges.
48-Hour Response Guarantee
Our clients benefit from a clear response commitment, so they know their questions won’t be overlooked.
Support That Fits Your Business
We take the time to understand your team, payroll arrangements and business goals.
“I’m sure I’m not the only small business to leave self-assessment to the last minute. I contacted Lucy and she was so helpful and determined to get my books in on time.”
June, Sole Trader
Smart Tools, Simple Setup
We use simple, reliable tools to take the pressure off your payroll. We set everything up for you, walk you through how it works, and stay by your side whenever you need help.
Xero
Your live invoicing dashboard.
Send, track and match invoices in real time, with everything synced to your accounts automatically.
dext
Receipts and bills, sorted.
Snap a photo or forward an email. We handle the rest so nothing gets lost and your records stay complete.
brightpay
Your payroll, fully managed.
Payslips, reports and filings are all taken care of, so you stay compliant and everything runs on time.
Getting Started is Easy!
We’ve made it simple for you to get the help you need:
Book a Call
Tell us about your business and what you need.
Send Your Info
Share your financial details securely online.
We Do the Work
We’ll sort your accounts and keep everything up to date.
Stay in Control
Get updates and support, so you always know where you stand.
Book your discovery call! It will only take a minute
Time to Switch Accountants?
You don’t need to stay stuck with support that’s slow or confusing. Switching to Simplex is smooth and handled for you.
Seamless Transfer
We contact your previous accountant and securely move everything over: CIS, VAT, payroll and more.
No Disruption
Your accounts stay up to date while we handle the switch, so nothing gets missed.
A Fresh Start
We review your numbers, identify gaps, and get you set up with a clear plan that works for you.
Helpful Resources
Your Questions, Answered
We know you might have some questions, and we’re here to make everything as clear and straightforward as possible. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re always happy to help!
Employers calculate holiday pay based on an employee’s normal earnings and working arrangements. Most UK workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave each year, including part-time employees. Holiday pay may need to include regular overtime, commission and other payments. For employees with variable working hours or pay, a 52-week average may apply. Getting holiday pay calculations right helps businesses stay compliant with UK employment law and avoid costly payroll mistakes.
Yes, the 12.07% method can be used to calculate statutory holiday entitlement for irregular-hours and part-year workers in leave years beginning on or after 1 April 2024. For example, someone working 100 hours would typically accrue 12.07 hours of holiday, subject to statutory limits and rounding rules. Employers can also use rolled-up holiday pay for eligible workers, provided the legal requirements are met. However, 12.07% is not a universal holiday pay calculation method for all employees.
The holiday pay formula depends on how an employee is paid. For someone working fixed hours with regular pay, a week’s holiday pay is generally their normal weekly earnings. For workers with variable hours or pay, employers typically calculate average weekly pay using the previous 52 paid weeks, looking back up to 104 weeks if necessary. Regular overtime and commission may also need to be included. Accurate holiday pay calculations help employers meet their legal obligations.
Part-time employees in the UK are entitled to the same statutory holiday allowance as full-time employees, calculated proportionally. The standard entitlement is 5.6 weeks per year. For example, if you work three days a week, your annual holiday entitlement is 16.8 days (3 × 5.6). Bank holidays can be included within this allowance. If you work irregular hours, different accrual rules may apply. Employers should calculate part-time holiday entitlement fairly and consistently.
The UK holiday pay rules changed for leave years beginning on or after 1 April 2024, introducing new arrangements for irregular-hours and part-year workers. Eligible workers can accrue statutory holiday at 12.07% of hours worked, and employers may use rolled-up holiday pay where permitted. The rules also clarify how certain payments, including regular overtime and commission, affect holiday pay. Businesses should review employment contracts, payroll processes and holiday calculations to ensure they follow the current regulations.
For employees working regular days each week, the standard UK annual leave formula is days worked per week × 5.6. For example, someone working five days a week receives 28 days of statutory annual leave, while someone working four days receives 22.4 days. Statutory entitlement is generally capped at 28 days. For irregular-hours and part-year workers, holiday accrual is usually calculated differently. Employers should also consider starters, leavers and contractual holiday allowances.
