Calculate statutory annual leave entitlement based on the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Hrs
Enter total hours worked in the leave year/period.
€
Hrs/Day
Used to convert holiday hours into estimated days.
Holiday Entitlement (Hours):0.00 Hours
Estimated Holiday Pay Value:€0.00
Equivalent Days Off:–
Note: Statutory annual leave is generally capped at 4 working weeks per leave year. Ensure the result does not exceed your contract's full-time equivalent cap.
*Calculations are based on the statutory 8% rule used for part-time/casual workers. Consult your employment contract for specific company policies.
function calculateHolidays() {
// 1. Get input values
var hoursInput = document.getElementById("hoursWorked");
var rateInput = document.getElementById("hourlyPayRate");
var shiftInput = document.getElementById("shiftLength");
var hours = parseFloat(hoursInput.value);
var rate = parseFloat(rateInput.value);
var shift = parseFloat(shiftInput.value);
// 2. Validation
if (isNaN(hours) || hours 0) {
entitlementPay = entitlementHours * rate;
}
// Calculate Days if shift length is provided
var entitlementDays = 0;
var displayDays = "-";
if (!isNaN(shift) && shift > 0) {
entitlementDays = entitlementHours / shift;
displayDays = entitlementDays.toFixed(2) + " Days";
}
// 4. Update DOM
document.getElementById("resHours").innerHTML = entitlementHours.toFixed(2) + " Hours";
if (!isNaN(rate) && rate > 0) {
document.getElementById("resPay").innerHTML = "€" + entitlementPay.toFixed(2);
} else {
document.getElementById("resPay").innerHTML = "N/A";
}
document.getElementById("resDays").innerHTML = displayDays;
// Show results
document.getElementById("results").style.display = "block";
// Show warning if result seems to exceed typical 4 week cap (approx 156 hours for 39hr week)
// This is heuristic, as we don't know their full time hours, but it's helpful context.
if (entitlementHours > 160) {
document.getElementById("capWarning").style.display = "block";
} else {
document.getElementById("capWarning").style.display = "none";
}
}
Understanding Pro Rata Holiday Entitlements in Ireland
Calculating annual leave for part-time, casual, or flexible workers in Ireland can often lead to confusion. Under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, all employees are entitled to paid time off, but the method of calculation depends on the number of hours worked.
The 8% Rule: For most part-time workers or those with variable hours, the statutory minimum holiday entitlement is calculated as 8% of the hours worked in the leave year.
The Three Calculation Methods
There are three specific methods for calculating statutory annual leave in Ireland. An employee is entitled to whichever method yields the greater amount of leave, subject to a maximum of 4 working weeks:
Method 1: 4 working weeks for an employee who has worked at least 1,365 hours in the leave year.
Method 2: 1/3 of a working week for each calendar month in which the employee worked at least 117 hours.
Method 3 (Pro Rata): 8% of the hours worked in the leave year (subject to a maximum of 4 working weeks).
Our calculator above utilizes Method 3, as this is the standard approach for calculating pro rata entitlements for part-time staff who do not meet the 1,365-hour threshold.
Example Calculation
Let's say Mary works part-time in a retail store. Her hours vary week to week.
Total Hours Worked: Over the course of the leave year, Mary works 850 hours.
Converting to Days: If Mary's average shift is 6 hours long, she is entitled to approximately 11.3 days of leave (68 ÷ 6).
Public Holidays
It is important to note that Annual Leave and Public Holiday entitlements are separate. In Ireland, part-time employees are entitled to a day's pay for a public holiday if they have worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks ending on the day before the public holiday.
Is there a Maximum Limit?
Yes. Regardless of how many hours are worked, the statutory entitlement to annual leave is capped at 4 working weeks. If the 8% calculation results in a figure higher than 4 of your standard working weeks, your entitlement is capped at that 4-week limit.
When Does the Leave Year Start?
For most employees in Ireland, the statutory leave year runs from 1st April to 31st March. However, many companies operate on a calendar year basis (January to December). It is vital to check your employment contract to confirm your specific leave year dates.