Essential points
- The minimum amount of annual leave which an employer must provide to a full-time worker is currently 28 days a year (or 5.6 weeks).
- The rules extend to employees and all workers covered by the Working Time Regulations 1998, including agency workers.
- There is a limited ability to carry leave over the four-week ‘European minimum’ from one holiday year to the next.
- Employers should ensure that holiday pay takes commission, overtime, bonuses and other allowances into account.
- Bank or public holidays including Christmas and Easter can be counted towards the annual holiday.
CIPD member content
This content is only available for CIPD members
If you’re already a CIPD member, please sign in to access this content
Disclaimer
Please note: While every care has been taken in compiling this content, CIPD cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. These notes are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice.
Employment
law helplines
Are you a CIPD member?
Need help with an employment law matter?
Bullying
and harassment
Discover our practice guidance and recommendations to tackle bullying and harassment in the workplace.
Related content on annual leave
Understand the basics of the Working Time Regulations in the UK, working hours trends, holidays and special leave.
Information on how people managers can approach managing holiday in their team
Discover our resources on annual leave and keep up to date with the latest employment legislation.
Explore our collection of resources around legal issues surrounding stress and wellbeing in the workplace
Explore our collection of resources around legal issues relating to religion and belief discrimination in the workplace, including philosophical beliefs
Explore our collection of resources and Q&As covering the recruitment process, from pre-employment checks and case law, to employing overseas workers
A round up of the year's statutory rates, providing quick and easy access to information on compensation limits, family friendly payments, statutory sick pay, national minimum wage, disclosure and barring fees and National Insurance contribution thresholds