What is the difference between scheduled days off and vacation days?

Scheduled days off and vacation days are both days you don't have to work. That's where the similarities end. The rules and guidelines around scheduled days off and vacation days are different. So how does it work exactly? What do employers and employees need to know about the difference between vacation days and scheduled days off? That's what this article is about.

The difference between scheduled days off and vacation days

To make the difference between scheduled days off and vacation days clear, it's important to look at what both terms mean.

What are vacation days?

Vacation days are days off that are set by law. In the Netherlands, you are legally entitled to four times the number of hours you work per week (on average), which for a full-time job comes down to about 20 vacation days per year. Do you get sick? Then you are still entitled to vacation days. That even applies if you get sick during your vacation!

What are scheduled days off?

Scheduled days off (roostervrije dagen) are days off that are also known as ADV days. ADV stands for arbeidsduurverkorting, or working time reduction. This means that according to your contract you work fewer hours per week than you actually work, so you have scheduled days off left over (accrued) at a later moment. You don't accrue scheduled days off when you're sick (unless the CAO or contract says otherwise).

The difference between ADV and vacation days: sickness

There are a number of important differences between scheduled days off and vacation days.

1.     The difference between ADV and vacation days: working or not

A big difference between scheduled days off and vacation days is that you get vacation days as a percentage of the hours you have already worked. So you didn't really do anything extra for them; you get them as a kind of "bonus." For scheduled days off, on the other hand, you did work. It's a form of time-for-time.

2.     The difference between ADV and vacation days: when to take them and when they expire

The CAO or contract often states when ADV days may be taken. In most cases, they expire after a year. This is unlike vacation days. You can carry statutory vacation days over until one year after the calendar year in which you accrued them. For extra-statutory days, the term is 5 years.

3.     The difference between ADV and vacation days: payout

Statutory vacation days may never be paid out, except at the end of your contract. So as long as you're employed, you have to take the hours; if not, they expire. With ADV, an agreement can be made about payout.

An example of the difference between vacation days and scheduled days off

It's common for people to have a 38-hour contract and still work 40 hours a week. You then accrue 2 ADV hours per week. Are you sick that day? Then you don't accrue the 2 ADV hours either. You do accrue vacation days over those 38 hours.

Making sure everything is registered properly? Dyflexis!

As you can read, there are some crucial differences between (ADV) scheduled days off and vacation days. You can imagine that it's important to document everything the right way. That's where Dyflexis comes in. With our Workforce Management System, you keep track of leave down to the last detail. Scheduled days off and vacation days are kept apart correctly. This kind of automation saves you a lot of time and money, and prevents mistakes! Want to know more and discover the benefits yourself? Then try the free demo of the Dyflexis Workforce Management System.