Holidays and Leave

Most workers - whether part-time or full-time - are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid annual leave.  Employers can set the times of the year that leave needs to be taken and workers must give the employer notice when they want to take leave.

Pregnant employees are entitled to up to one year’s maternity leave.  Paternity leave is available if certain criteria are met.  Parents are also entitled to 18 weeks’ unpaid leave for each child up to their 18th birthday. 

There are various other types of leave including: garden leave; time off for public duties; and study / training leave.