The National High Court has issued a ruling that puts an end to a common practice in many companies: not paying or compensating for Saturdays that coincide with holidays. The court clarifies that these days are non-working days and, if worked or used to cover the weekly rest period, must be compensated. A victory for workers who saw their work calendar shrink without compensation.
Time control technology, key to proving rest periods ⏰
For this ruling to be applied accurately, workday recording and time control systems will be essential tools. Companies will need to implement software that clearly distinguishes between working days, holidays, and weekly rest days. Shift management platforms and time-tracking apps will allow workers to demonstrate whether a holiday Saturday was used as a rest day or if service was provided, thus facilitating the claim for corresponding compensation.
The holiday Saturday: the new rough diamond of the calendar 💎
Let's see, let's get this straight: it turns out that the holiday Saturday wasn't a free rest day, but a non-working day with rights. Who would have thought. Now companies will have to do the math and discover that that Saturday which used to vanish without asking, is worth money. Some bosses are already looking for ways to sneak it into the Excel spreadsheet without it being noticed. Good luck with that.