How this annual leave calculator works
The calculator uses the common UK statutory entitlement basis of 5.6 weeks of paid holiday. For part-time workers, leave is estimated pro rata from your weekly working pattern.
If you manage field teams, this is useful for planning schedules, avoiding clashes, and forecasting staffing coverage during busy periods. For day-to-day operations, workforce management software can automatically manage leave requests, approvals, and availability so rotas stay accurate without manual spreadsheets.
Statutory Leave
Understanding UK Holiday Entitlement
Almost all workers are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year (known as statutory leave entitlement or annual leave). This includes agency workers, workers with irregular hours, and workers on zero-hours contracts.
- 1 Full-time workers working 5 days a week must receive at least 28 days paid annual leave a year.
- 2 Part-time workers are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata (5.6 times their normal working week).
- 3 Bank or public holidays do not have to be given as paid leave, an employer can choose to include bank holidays as part of a worker's statutory annual leave.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions about annual leave
How is part-time holiday calculated? + -
Part-time workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday, but this will amount to fewer than 28 days. For example, if they work 3 days a week, they must get at least 16.8 days leave a year (3 × 5.6).
What about irregular hours or zero-hours contracts? + -
For workers with irregular hours or part-year workers, holiday entitlement is calculated as 12.07% of the hours worked in a pay period. This ensures they receive the equivalent of 5.6 weeks of leave based on the hours they actually work.
Can an employer refuse a holiday request? + -
Yes, an employer can refuse a holiday request or cancel leave, but they must give as much notice as the amount of leave requested, plus one day. For example, an employer would give 11 days' notice if the worker asked for 10 days off.
Ready to manage leave and scheduling in one place?
Book a demo and see how Intrflex keeps leave requests, availability, and rotas aligned.