Hourly paid employees: Entitlement to salary varies
For hourly paid employees, separate rules apply, distinguishing between:
1 May and 17 May:
These days are governed by specific statutory rules on salary, even for employees who do not work.
According to the Act relating to 1 May and 17 May as public holidays and the associated regulation, hourly paid employees are entitled to full salary if:
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They have been employed for at least 30 days prior to 1 or 17 May
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They would otherwise have worked on these days if they had not been public holidays
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The day does not fall on a Sunday (in 2025, 17 May falls on a Saturday – which does not entitle to salary)
Exception: If the employee is absent without valid reason on the day before or the day after 1/17 May, the right to salary is lost.
Valid reasons include:
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Medically certified illness
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Holiday
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Public office
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Other compelling reason
Other public holidays (Maundy Thursday, Easter Monday, etc.)
For these days, there is no statutory right to salary for hourly paid employees unless:
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A collective agreement provides entitlement to paid leave
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An individual agreement exists
In practice, many employers nevertheless provide salary for such days, but it is not a requirement.
