Lock v British Gas Trading Limited [2014] CJEU

In this important case, the European Court has ruled that holiday pay must not be reduced for workers who ordinarily receive commission. It makes no difference that, as in the case of Mr Lock, an Internal Energy Sales Consultant for British Gas, the commission was paid during his holiday periods - his inability to earn commission whilst on leave was a disincentive to take annual leave - which is an EU right from which there is no derogation permitted for Member States. Payment and leave are inextricably linked:

"Directive 2003/88 [Organisation of working time] treats entitlement to annual leav e and to a payment on that account as being two aspects of a single right. The purpose of