OVERTIME counting as holiday pay could cost businesses dear, according to the CBI.

Commenting on the an Employment Tribunal ruling that overtime should be taken into account when holiday pay is calculated, John Cridland, CBI director-general, said: “This is a real blow to UK businesses now facing the prospect of punitive costs potentially running into billions of pounds – and not all will survive, which could mean significant job losses.

“These cases are creating major uncertainty for businesses and impacting on investment and resourcing decisions.

“This judgment must be challenged. We need the UK Government to step up its defence of the current UK law, and use its powers to limit any retrospective liability that firms may face.”