The short answer
An official holiday is not automatically a paid day off in the catering industry. A compensation scheme applies to a skilled worker who works on a recognized collective labor agreement holiday: in principle, alternative time off and, if this is not possible within the set period, an allowance.
Check public holiday, schedule and skilled worker status
The catering collective labor agreement itself specifies which public holidays count. This does not include every school holiday or local holiday. The holiday compensation does not apply to an employee who is not yet a skilled worker. The normal payment for hours worked remains distinct from this. If you want to be free yourself, request leave in time; don't just rely on the color of the calendar.
First time off, then the allowance
KHN describes one hour of alternative time off per holiday hour worked, to be granted within three months after the holiday. If this compensation is not possible, a surcharge of 50% of the hourly wage applies for the eligible hours. This is a different arrangement than the payment of regular overtime. A calculator can only process that distinction properly if it is clear which hours and conditions you enter.
This is how you check it
- Check whether the day is included in the collective labor agreement's public holiday list.
- Note the hours worked and check whether you are a skilled worker.
- Ask when the replacement time off will be taken or paid for.
For 6 hours of public holiday work, the starting point for an eligible skilled worker is 6 hours of alternative time off. If, according to the collective labor agreement, the 50% surcharge is due instead and the hourly wage is €16, the additional surcharge is €48 gross.
Questions about this CAO
Does everyone in the catering industry receive holiday compensation?
No. The collective labor agreement links this scheme to skilled worker status. Other employees do not automatically have the same right to compensation.
Is Sunday always a holiday?
No. An ordinary Sunday is not only a recognized collective labor holiday because of the day of the week.
Is 50% full payment for the hours?
No. This is an allowance on top of the hourly wage when the conditions for payment of that allowance are met.
Do public holiday hours also count as overtime?
That must be assessed separately. Do not add percentages together without checking; the schedule and collective labor agreement arrangements remain leading.
Sources for this explanation
Sources checked:
Original documents · PDF