We have recently starting using a PSC and would like to know if ‘days’ used in time periods in the PSC means calendar days or working days?
Answer
The PSC only uses days, as opposed to weeks, to describe time periods in two places: the dispute resolution option W2 and secondary option Y(UK)2. Both of these are only used for work subject to specific UK legislation, as set out in the preamble at the beginning of both options, and in order to comply with that legislation.
In both cases clauses within the options clearly describe exactly what is meant by ‘days’ in the option – see clause W2, 1(2) for option W2 and clause Y2.1(2) for option Y(UK)2. Although the wording is slightly different, the meanings are the same.
The only other time you may come across the word ‘days’ is if the employer has used it when describing time periods in the contract data or the scope. The meaning will depend upon exactly what the employer has written. If the employer has just used the word ‘days’ without any other descriptor or qualifier, then it will mean exactly what it says: days. Saturday and Sunday are days as are bank holidays, so they all count.
