United Kingdom (England)
Complete guide to UK employee leave entitlements including statutory annual leave, sick pay (SSP), maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave.
28
Annual leave
8
Public holidays
country
Location type
2025-01-15
Reviewed
Legal framework
Primary legislation
Governing body
Last updated
Official source
Entitlements overview
Annual leave
Statutory entitlement: 28
Calculation: 5.6 weeks, can include bank holidays. Maximum 28 days.
Pro-rata: Pro-rata for part-time workers based on days/hours worked per week
Carryover: Default: up to 8 days can be carried over. Can carry more if unable to take due to sickness.
Sick leave
Statutory: Yes
Paid days: Varies
Statutory pay: £116.75 per week (2024-25)
Eligibility: Earning at least £123 per week, Employed by employer for at least 1 day, Been ill for 4 or more days in a row (including non-working days)
Parental leave
Maternity: 52 weeks
Paternity: 2 weeks
Adoption: 52 weeks
Shared leave: Up to 50 weeks leave, 37 weeks pay
Additional leave and compliance
Other leave types
Unpaid Parental Leave: 18 weeks per child (up to age 18) (unpaid)
Dependant Leave: Reasonable time (unpaid)
Bereavement Leave: 2 weeks (parental bereavement) (paid)
Jury Service: As required (unpaid)
Neonatal Care Leave: Up to 12 weeks (paid)
Record keeping and notice
Records: Maintain leave records for at least 2 years, Track SSP, SMP, SPP payments, Document leave requests and approvals
Employer notice: Respond to leave requests in reasonable time
Employee notice: Holiday: twice the length of leave. Maternity: 15 weeks before due date.
Penalties: Employment Tribunal claims for unlawful deductions, Compensation for breach of statutory rights, Unlimited awards for discrimination claims
Public holiday sample
New Year's Day: 2025-01-01
Good Friday: 2025-04-18
Easter Monday: 2025-04-21
Early May Bank Holiday: 2025-05-05
Spring Bank Holiday: 2025-05-26
Summer Bank Holiday: 2025-08-25
Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave are UK employees entitled to?
UK employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days for full-time) paid annual leave. This can include bank holidays. Part-time workers receive pro-rata entitlement.
How does Statutory Sick Pay work?
SSP is £116.75 per week (2024-25) for up to 28 weeks. You must be ill for 4+ days and earn at least £123/week. The first 3 days are unpaid waiting days.
What is Shared Parental Leave?
SPL allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay. The mother must curtail her maternity leave, and the remaining leave can be shared between both parents.
Can employers include bank holidays in annual leave?
Yes, employers can include the 8 bank holidays as part of the 28-day statutory entitlement. There is no automatic right to bank holidays off.
Related policy guides
United Kingdom (Scotland)
Complete guide to Scotland employee leave entitlements. Same statutory rights as England plus Scottish bank holidays.
Ireland
Complete guide to Irish employee leave entitlements including 20 days annual leave, statutory sick pay, maternity, paternity, and parent's leave.
United States (Federal)
Complete guide to US federal leave laws including FMLA, military leave, and jury duty. Understand employer obligations and employee rights under federal law.