Designed by Freepik
While you are rushing to fix the "468" rosters, do not miss the other major amendment to the Employment Ordinance for 2026. Effective immediately, Easter Monday is a Statutory Holiday.
What Changed?
Previously, Easter Monday was only a "Public Holiday" (General Holiday), meaning banks and offices were closed, but blue-collar workers (on Statutory Holiday contracts) could be asked to work without holiday pay.
- New Rule: Starting 2026, the number of Statutory Holidays increases from 14 to 15 days.
- The Date: April 6, 2026 (Easter Monday).
Action Required for HR Systems:
- Update Your Leave Tables: Most payroll software defaults to 14 days for "Labour/Factory" contracts. You must manually tick "Easter Monday" as a paid holiday for 2026.
- Budget for Substitutes: If you run a restaurant or retail store, you now have to pay holiday pay or provide a compensatory day off (within 60 days) for staff working on April 6.
- Check "Day-in-Lieu" Balances: For staff on "Public Holiday" contracts, nothing changes. But for "Statutory" staff, they just gained an extra paid rest day.
💡Don't let April catch you by surprise. Update the system setting this week.