Holiday loading represents an additional percentage-based payment made to employees while they are on annual leave. This supplement is designed to compensate for lost opportunities to earn overtime or penalty rates that might have been available had the employee been working. The typical calculation involves applying a rate, often 17.5%, to the employee’s ordinary time earnings for the period of their leave. For instance, if an employee earns $1,000 per week and takes one week of holiday leave, the holiday loading would be 17.5% of $1,000, resulting in an additional $175 payment.
The provision of holiday loading serves to ensure that employees are not financially disadvantaged when taking their entitled annual leave. This payment encourages employees to utilize their leave entitlements, promoting well-being and preventing burnout. Historically, holiday loading was introduced through industrial awards and agreements to maintain a reasonable standard of living for employees during periods of rest and recreation, acknowledging that forgone work opportunities could impact their overall income.