Working fewer hours does not automatically mean receiving fewer days of annual leave. For a regular weekly schedule, the important distinction is how many days you work, not simply how many hours. Getting that distinction right prevents a common planning mistake.
Compare working days, not just weekly hours
One employee works 20 hours over five days. Another works 20 hours over three days. Their weekly hours are the same, but they need different numbers of leave days to take a whole working week off.
For a regular weekly pattern, the usual calculation is:
Comparable full-time annual leave ÷ full-time working days per week × your working days per week.
The Osnabrück Chamber of Commerce explains the calculation with examples for part-time work.
Example: 30 days for a five-day week
| Your working days per week | Calculation | Annual leave in this example |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 30 ÷ 5 × 5 | 30 days |
| 4 | 30 ÷ 5 × 4 | 24 days |
| 3 | 30 ÷ 5 × 3 | 18 days |
Each example provides six working weeks off. The 30-day allowance is an assumed contractual entitlement, not the general statutory minimum. Section 3 of Germany’s Federal Leave Act sets out the statutory minimum using a working-day basis that needs to be applied to the relevant schedule.
Shorter hours on the same days
If you still work Monday to Friday, reducing the length of each day does not automatically reduce the number of leave days. One day of leave covers one scheduled working day. The hours credited to a working-time account are a separate issue and should not be confused with the leave-day balance.
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Take care when schedules change
An arbitrary sample week is not enough for an irregular shift pattern. If working days change during the year, assess the relevant periods and accrued entitlement separately. Do not automatically recalculate all existing leave using the new schedule. Additional contractual leave, joining or leaving during the year and special rules may also matter.
Do not round fractions down for convenience. The treatment depends on how the entitlement arose and the applicable rules; rounding everything to half-days is not a reliable universal approach.
Keep the calculation understandable
Document the working pattern, period and calculation used. Distinguish approved leave from requests still awaiting a decision, so employees can see whether pending requests are reflected in their balance.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 20-hour week mean half the holiday allowance?
No. For the regular-week calculation, compare working days and the equivalent full-time entitlement.
Does the table apply if I change jobs?
Not on its own. The examples assume an unchanged weekly pattern and a suitable annual entitlement. Other circumstances need a separate assessment.
Keep balances clear for your team
Use Minutezilla’s leave management to maintain understandable allowances and requests. Establish the correct entitlement before entering the balance.
