The three annual leave methods compared
Section 19 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 gives every employee whichever of three calculations produces the most annual leave.
Section 19 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 gives every employee whichever of three calculations produces the most annual leave. Most full-time employees comfortably clear the 1,365-hour threshold and simply get 4 working weeks. Part-time, seasonal, and irregular-hours workers usually depend on method B or C instead, which is exactly why running all three matters.
| Method | Rule | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| A, 1,365 hours | 4 working weeks, flat | Full-time employees working the whole leave year |
| B, 117 hours/month | 1/3 working week per qualifying month | Employees who started or left partway through the leave year |
| C, 8% of hours | 8% of hours worked, capped at 4 weeks | Part-time and irregular-hours employees |
Sources
4 official sources
- Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, section 19, Irish Statute Book: entitlement to annual leave, the three calculation methods (4 working weeks at 1,365+ hours; 1/3 working week per month at 117+ hours; 8% of hours worked capped at 4 weeks), whichever is greatest.
- Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, section 2 (interpretation), Irish Statute Book: defines "leave year" as a year beginning on 1 April.
- Citizens Information, Annual leave (holidays) from work: confirms the three methods and that statutory annual leave continues to accrue during certified sick leave, since 1 August 2015, with carry-over of up to 15 months for leave affected by illness.
- Workplace Relations Commission, Annual Leave: WRC guidance confirming the same three-method entitlement test and employer obligations around payment and timing of leave.
This calculator covers annual leave only, not the separate public holiday entitlement under OWTA section 21. Left out: employer-specific contractual leave above the statutory minimum, and leave-pay wage calculations, since these depend on your individual contract.
FAQ
How is annual leave calculated in Ireland?
Under section 19 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, your entitlement is whichever of three calculations gives the most leave: 4 working weeks if you worked at least 1,365 hours in the leave year; one third of a working week for each calendar month you worked at least 117 hours; or 8% of the hours you worked in the leave year, capped at 4 working weeks.
What counts towards the 117-hours-a-month rule?
It's the actual hours you worked in that calendar month. If you worked at least 117 hours in a given month, that month counts as one third of a working week towards your entitlement under method B, so a full leave year of qualifying months gives you the same 4 weeks as method A.
Do I still build up annual leave while I'm off sick?
Yes. Since 1 August 2015, statutory annual leave continues to accrue while you're on certified sick leave. Leave you couldn't take because of illness can also be carried forward for up to 15 months after the end of the leave year it was earned in, rather than being lost at the usual point.
What is the leave year and can my employer set a different one?
The Act defines the statutory leave year as beginning on 1 April. In practice many employers instead run their leave year on the calendar year or another 12-month period by agreement, check your contract or staff handbook for the leave year that actually applies where you work.
Can I carry unused annual leave into the next leave year?
There's no general statutory right to carry leave forward, untaken annual leave is normally lost at the end of the leave year unless your employer agrees otherwise. The guaranteed exception is leave that built up while you were on certified sick leave, which can be carried forward for up to 15 months.
How is annual leave paid?
Annual leave must be paid at your normal weekly rate, including regular bonuses or allowances that form part of your usual pay, calculated as though you had been working rather than on leave.
Are public holidays part of my annual leave?
No. Ireland's public holidays are a separate entitlement under section 21 of the Organisation of Working Time Act, on top of the annual leave calculated under section 19. This calculator covers annual leave only.
What if I work part-time or irregular hours?
The same three-method test applies no matter your contract type. Part-time and irregular-hours employees are usually best served by the 8%-of-hours-worked method, since the 1,365-hour and 117-hours-a-month thresholds are harder to reach on reduced hours.