Annual Leave Calculator UK

How Annual Leave Works in the UK

In the UK, all workers are legally entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual leave per year. This applies to both full-time and part-time workers, though the exact number of days or hours depends on your working pattern.

Statutory Minimum Entitlements

Common Scenarios

Starting Mid-Year

If you start employment partway through the leave year, your entitlement is calculated pro-rata. For example, if you start 6 months into the leave year, you’ll get half your annual entitlement for that year.

Leaving Employment

When you leave a job, you’re entitled to payment for any accrued but unused holiday. Conversely, if you’ve taken more than you’ve accrued, your employer may deduct this from your final pay.

Irregular Working Patterns

For workers with irregular hours (like zero-hours contracts), holiday is often calculated as a percentage of hours worked – typically 12.07% of total hours worked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my employer refuse holiday requests?

Yes, employers can refuse holiday requests if they have good business reasons. However, they cannot prevent you from taking your minimum statutory entitlement during the leave year.

Can I carry holiday over to the next year?

For statutory leave (5.6 weeks), you can only carry over up to 4 weeks if you were unable to take it due to reasons beyond your control. Any additional contractual leave depends on your employment terms.

What happens if I’m sick during holiday?

If you fall ill during annual leave, you may be able to reclaim those days as sick leave instead, provided you follow your employer’s procedures and provide medical evidence if required.

Do bank holidays count towards my leave?

This depends on your contract. Employers can either include bank holidays within your 5.6 weeks minimum entitlement or provide them as additional days off.