Holiday Pay Claim — Gig Worker Letter: Free Template and What to Include

If you need to claim holiday pay entitlement as a gig economy worker, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong holiday pay claim — gig worker should include.

What this letter needs to cover

• Assert worker status
• Claim 5.6 weeks holiday pay calculated on average earnings
• Reference the Working Time Regulations 1998
• Calculate the amount claimed where possible
• Give a deadline for response and warn of tribunal claim

Your right to holiday pay as a gig worker

Following Supreme Court rulings, many gig economy staff have been confirmed as "workers" under UK law, entitling them to statutory holiday pay — currently 5.6 weeks per year, calculated based on average earnings — even where a platform has classified them as self-employed. Misclassification doesn't remove this right; it simply means the entitlement hasn't been paid.

What to include before you send it

• A clear assertion of your status as a worker, referencing relevant case law if you're aware of it
• A calculation of the holiday pay you believe you're owed, based on your actual earnings pattern
• The period you're claiming for — noting there are limits on how far back claims can go
• A request for payment and for holiday pay to be properly calculated going forward

How holiday pay should be calculated for irregular gig work

For workers without fixed hours, holiday pay is generally calculated as a percentage of earnings (commonly 12.07%, reflecting 5.6 weeks against a 46.4-week working year), though this method has evolved through case law, so it's worth checking the current recommended approach carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back can I claim unpaid holiday pay?
Claims are generally limited, and can be affected by gaps of more than a certain period between deductions, so it's worth seeking specific advice on your maximum backdated claim.

Does it matter that my contract says I'm self-employed?
No — courts look at the actual reality of the working relationship, not just the label used in a contract, when determining employment status.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Postcode]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Name of Platform/Company]
[Company Address]
[Company Postcode]
[Date]

Dear [Name of Contact, or "Human Resources Team"],

Subject: Formal Claim for Statutory Holiday Pay

I am writing to claim statutory holiday pay for my work as a [Your Role, e.g. Courier / Driver] through your platform. I started on [Start Date].

I believe I am a "worker" under section 230(3)(b) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 [in Northern Ireland: the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996], because [e.g. I must do the work personally, you set the fares and terms, and you control how I do the work]. As a worker, I am entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid annual leave a year under the [Working Time Regulations 1998 / in Northern Ireland: Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016].

I have not received any paid holiday or payment in lieu of holiday. Based on my average earnings, I calculate the holiday pay owed for [Start Date] to [End Date] as £[Amount].

Please confirm within 14 days that you will pay this amount. If this is not resolved, I will contact Acas [in Northern Ireland: the Labour Relations Agency] to start early conciliation, which is the required first step before an employment tribunal claim.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]