Retail Employees Working on Holidays: What's Fair Compensation Under the Shops and Establishments Act?

Hi, as we all know, retail employees (people working in stores/retail chains/shops) work on all public holidays too. In such cases, how do we adequately compensate an employee as per the Shops and Establishments Act? Do we give them a compensatory leave, or do we have to pay twice the normal wages?

Regards,
Saumya

As a matter of fact, those working on Sunday/weekly off must be given Compensatory Off (C/Off) in the next three days. It means you can divide the Sunday workers into three groups, and for each group, you can provide Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as C/Off. In the Attendance Register, you must mention C/Off instead of Leave/Absence, and on Sunday, you can show them as Present.

Regards.

I was looking at it more from the legal point of view. When we consider national holidays during which these store employees still work, should we provide them with compensatory time off or double their wages?

Compensation for Working on National Holidays

While on national holidays, if someone works, they will receive one present as it is a paid holiday. Additionally, for the hours worked during that period, double overtime pay must be provided. For example, if a person worked for 8 hours on a national holiday, they would receive 3 days' worth of salary. I hope this clarifies any doubts.

Regards

I am assuming you meant to say that they would get paid 2 days' salary for working on a national holiday.

No, Saumya. One day's salary has to be paid whether they work or not, as the National Holidays are paid holidays. Furthermore, if they work, you have to give them double OT pay. Hence, if a person works for 8 hours on any national holiday, then you have to compensate them with 3 days' pay for that one day or normal salary with one compensatory off.