As with any business in the UK, campsite operators must comply with employment legislation, including minimum wage standards, working time directives, and fair employment practices.
Job Role Classification on Campsites
While the UK does not operate a sector-specific collective agreement like the French “HPA convention,” campsite businesses should establish clear staff categories to determine fair pay and responsibilities. Here is a typical job banding structure adapted for UK contexts:
| Category | Typical Role | Suggested Pay Band |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reception assistants (no admin) | £11.44 – £11.80/hour |
| 2 | Entry-level staff (bar, restaurant, shop) | £11.44 – £12.50/hour |
| 3 | Admin, trilingual reception, qualified animator or cleaner | £12.00 – £14.00/hour |
| 4 | Supervisors with NVQ Level 3 / BTEC or equivalent experience | £14.00 – £17.00/hour |
| 5 | Junior managers or team leads with degree or senior experience | £18.00 – £22.00/hour |
| 6 | Senior managers/site directors (autonomous roles) | £23.00 – £30.00/hour (based on site size) |
Note: These ranges are indicative. Employers must meet or exceed the UK National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage requirements.
Salary Calculations
UK employers must comply with legal pay structures. The National Living Wage (from April 2024) is £11.44/hour for workers aged 21 and over. Employers may establish bonus schemes or pay differentials based on experience or training certifications.
Working Hours
Standard full-time working hours are typically 39 to 40 hours per week. For part-time or seasonal roles, hours should be clearly stated in the contract.
Overtime
There is no statutory maximum number of overtime hours unless the employee opts out of the 48-hour weekly limit. However, in the hospitality and tourism sector, overtime up to 180 hours/year without additional authorisation is a common threshold used for internal management.
Rest Time
- Staff must receive at least 11 consecutive hours of rest between shifts.
- Employees are entitled to at least 1 full day off per week or 2 days every 14 days.
Split Shifts
Due to the nature of campsite roles (e.g., cleaning, activities, guest services), employees may work split shifts. In such cases:
- The split may exceed 2 hours between active periods.
- Employees should have at least one continuous 2-hour work block daily, unless otherwise agreed.
- An additional compensation of 6% of gross monthly pay is recommended to cover the inconvenience.
- Split hours where the employee is free to leave are not considered paid working time.
Annual Leave
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year (including bank holidays). Some operators extend the holiday year from 1 May to 30 April to match seasonal operations. A 2-day bonus may be given if holidays fall outside the June–September period.
Additional Contractual Terms
Employment contracts should also clearly define:
- Probation periods (typically 2 weeks to 3 months)
- Dismissal and resignation procedures
- Retirement age and preparation options
- Training and continuing professional development