Home care workers set for holiday pay boost as Northern Trust commits to overtime back pay

Inset: North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew

Home care workers across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust are set to have average overtime earnings included when their holiday pay is calculated, with retrospective payments also expected to be made before the end of the year.

North Antrim MLA Paul Frew has welcomed the commitment after raising concerns with the Northern Trust on behalf of constituents who said they were losing out because of the way their holiday pay was calculated.

The issue arose despite arrangements being introduced across Health and Social Care from April 2025 to ensure overtime earnings were reflected in holiday pay. Home Care Workers were not covered by an equivalent arrangement because of difficulties with the existing system.

Interim process and back pay planned

Mr Frew said the Trust has now confirmed that an interim process is being developed which will allow average overtime earnings to be taken into account when calculating holiday pay for Home Care Workers.

He said work is also under way to identify and make retrospective payments owed to affected staff, with the arrangements and back pay expected to be implemented by 31 December 2026.

Speaking about the development, Mr Frew said:

“Following a number of constituents contacting me about unfair complications in their holiday pay, I wrote to the Northern Trust to seek answers as to why these homecare workers were losing out.

“From April 2025 arrangements were introduced across Health and Social Care to ensure that overtime earnings were reflected in holiday pay. However, due to difficulties with the current system, an arrangement did not exist for Home Care Workers.

“I am delighted that following my correspondence with the Trust that they have confirmed an interim process is being developed to enable average overtime earnings to be included in holiday pay calculations for Home Care Workers.

“Crucially, they have also confirmed work is under way to make any retrospective payments due by 31 December 2026. The Trust are working to implement arrangements and back pay due by 31 December 2026.”

‘Great news’ for workers across North Antrim

The move could mean additional payments for Home Care Workers who regularly worked overtime but did not have those earnings reflected appropriately in their holiday pay. The precise amount due will depend on individual workers’ circumstances and overtime earnings.

Mr Frew added:

“This will be great news to many Home Care Workers across North Antrim who for too long have been at a disadvantage.

“I thank the Trust for their response and will continue to engage until the necessary arrangements are in place.”

The key date for affected workers is now 31 December 2026, by which point the Trust is expected to have implemented the arrangements and made any retrospective payments due.