The changes to the law took effect on 1 April. They weaken the accrual of annual leave during family and maternity leave and will include the six-day waiting period for sick leave within the annual leave entitlement.

The amendments mean that annual holiday will only accrue during the first six months of maternity, paternity and parental leave, instead of throughout the entire leave entitlement.

Concerning the six-day waiting period for sick leave, under the previous rules employees could postpone their annual leave due to sickness or incapacity before or during their holiday. Now the six-day waiting period will apply before employees can postpone their annual leave due to illness.