Going on a vacation is an essential part of maintaining mental and physical well-being. It’s an opportunity to recharge your batteries, spend quality time with friends and family, or explore new places. However, before planning a vacation, it’s crucial to know how many vacation days you’re entitled to in the UK.
Statutory Minimum Entitlement
The UK has a statutory minimum entitlement of 5.6 weeks of paid leave per year, which equates to 28 days for someone who works five days a week. This entitlement is inclusive of public holidays. However, if you work fewer than five days a week, your annual leave entitlement will be pro-rata.
Bank Holidays
In the UK, there are eight bank holidays in total, and they are included in your statutory minimum entitlement. These are New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May), Late Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Employment Contract
Your employment contract may offer more vacation days than the statutory minimum requirement. Employers have the freedom to offer their employees more generous vacation allowances if they wish to do so. Therefore it’s important to check your contract and understand what you’re entitled to before making any plans.
Accrued Vacation Days
If you haven’t taken all your vacation days this year or have started a new job midway through the year, you may be entitled to accrued vacation days. This means that you can carry over unused vacation days from one year to the next or get paid for them when leaving a company.
Calculating Your Vacation Days
Calculating your annual leave entitlement can be confusing if you work part-time or have recently started a new job. Here’s how you can do it:
- Multiply how many days you work per week by 5.6
- Add on any extra vacation days your employer offers you
- Add on any bank holidays that fall on your working days
Example:
If you work three days a week, your annual leave entitlement would be 16.8 days (3 x 5.6). Suppose your employer offers an additional five vacation days per year, bringing the total to 21.8 days. If two of the bank holidays fall on your working days, you would receive an additional two days of vacation, bringing the total to 23.8.
In conclusion, the UK has a statutory minimum entitlement of 28 paid vacation days per year inclusive of public holidays for those who work five days a week. However, if you work part-time or have started a new job midway through the year, calculating your annual leave entitlement can be confusing, and it’s essential to check your contract and understand what you’re entitled to before making any plans.