{"id":16734,"date":"2022-03-03T12:01:22","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T10:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/blog\/?p=16734"},"modified":"2026-05-12T13:22:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T11:22:50","slug":"employee-annual-leave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/blog\/employee-annual-leave\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Employee Annual Leave Entitlement in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Employee Annual Leave in the UK<\/strong> can be taken for various reasons. It\u2019s crucial that HR professionals are aware of the annual leave entitlement in the UK and the different types of leave available to their employees. This knowledge helps to track employees\u2019 time off with ease and ensure company compliance with UK employment laws.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we define what annual leave is, the benefits it brings to employees, other types of paid and unpaid leave available in the UK, and the legal annual leave entitlement in the UK.<\/p>\n<h3>Key Facts About UK Annual Leave<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Statutory Entitlement:<\/strong> Nearly all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/holiday-entitlement-rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">workers in the UK are legally entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year<\/a>, which equates to 28 days for a full-time employee, according to GOV.UK guidance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Workplace Stress:<\/strong> According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), <a href=\"https:\/\/newleafhealth.co.uk\/blog\/key-workplace-mental-health-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">964,000 UK workers suffered from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2026\/25<\/a>, leading to 22.1 million lost working days.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Leave Management:<\/strong> The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development highlights that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cipd.org\/en\/knowledge\/guides\/annual-leave\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">clear policies are essential for managing leave fairly and consistently, which in turn supports employee health and productivity<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe title=\"Improving your time-off request system to increase morale\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7Cu5ejMA0Os?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Related video: <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/7Cu5ejMA0Os\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Managing Time-off Requests<\/a>:<\/strong> <em>This video explains how to manage employees\u2019 time off requests and the different types of leave available.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#what-are-the-benefits-of-annual-leave-for-employees\" rel=\"noopener\">What are the Benefits of Annual Leave for Employees?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#what-other-types-of-leave-are-available-in-the-uk\" rel=\"noopener\">What Other Types of Leave Are Available in the UK?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#annual-leave-in-the-uk-explained\" rel=\"noopener\">Annual Leave in the UK Explained<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-much-leave-are-your-employees-entitled-to\" rel=\"noopener\">How Much Leave Are Your Employees Entitled To?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-should-you-manage-employee-time-off-requests\" rel=\"noopener\">How Should You Manage Employee Time-off Requests?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#is-stress-leave-from-work-part-of-the-annual-time-off\" rel=\"noopener\">Is Stress Leave from Work Part of the Annual Time-off?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#what-is-the-law-on-statutory-maternity-leave-in-the-uk\" rel=\"noopener\">What is the Law on Statutory Maternity Leave in the UK?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#paternity-leave-uk-law\" rel=\"noopener\">Paternity Leave UK Law<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#adoption-leave-uk\" rel=\"noopener\">Adoption Leave UK<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-the-benefits-of-annual-leave-for-employees\">What are the Benefits of Annual Leave for Employees?<\/h2>\n<p>Taking time off promotes motivation and productivity in the workplace, as well as the following benefits:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reduces stress levels<\/li>\n<li>Better work-life balance<\/li>\n<li>Prevents job burnout<\/li>\n<li>Improved mood<\/li>\n<li>Better social life<\/li>\n<li>Reduced risk of heart disease<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"factorial-banner inline-banner banner-demo category-factorial-team\"\n    data-banner-id=\"177018\"\n    data-banner-type=\"demo\"\n    data-category=\"Factorial Team\">\n    <div class=\"banner-content\">\n        <div class=\"banner-text\">\n                            <h4>Track hours automatically &amp; boost productivity across your team<\/h4>\n            \n                            <ul class=\"banner-checklist\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"not-prose\">Monitor real-time attendance with automated clock-in\/out<\/li>\n                                                                                                <li class=\"not-prose\">Generate instant reports in hours worked, overtime, and productivity trends<\/li>\n                                                                                                <li class=\"not-prose\">Reduce timesheets errors and ensure accurate payroll processing<\/li>\n                                                            <\/ul>\n            \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/request-demo\"\n                    class=\"factorial-cta-button not-prose demo btn-brand\" data-cta=\"demo\" data-cta-position=\"inline-banner\">\n                    Get a demo                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-image has-image\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/09115712\/time-tracking-app.webp\" class=\"not-prose\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>To promote staff morale, employee wellbeing, and company culture, you must ensure that your employees are taking time off.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/04124639\/imgonline-com-ua-CompressToSize-mUhCSiLLEh.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/04124639\/imgonline-com-ua-CompressToSize-mUhCSiLLEh.jpg 830w, https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/04124639\/imgonline-com-ua-CompressToSize-mUhCSiLLEh-300x145.jpg 300w, https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/04124639\/imgonline-com-ua-CompressToSize-mUhCSiLLEh-768x370.jpg 768w\" alt=\"employee annual leave entitlement\" width=\"830\" height=\"400\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-other-types-of-leave-are-available-in-the-uk\">What Other Types of Leave Are Available in the UK?<\/h2>\n<p>Many human resource professionals wonder how to find the best way to <strong>track employee time off.<\/strong> Managing employee time off can be a challenging process, especially when there are many different types of leave in the UK. Thus, your company must clearly define different types of absences and leave within your company.<\/p>\n<h4>To get you started, here are some of the types of leave in the UK:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Statutory Annual Leave:<\/strong> The legal minimum paid holiday entitlement.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Family and Parental Leave:<\/strong> This includes paid Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, and Shared Parental Leave.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sick Leave:<\/strong> Governed by company policy and eligibility for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).<\/li>\n<li>Parental Bereavement Leave: A statutory right to paid time off for parents following the death of a child.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Compassionate Leave:<\/strong> Discretionary time off to deal with emergencies involving a dependant.<\/li>\n<li>Garden Leave: Typically used during a notice period after an employee resigns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For this reason, implementing holiday leave software can help you keep track of absences within your company.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"annual-leave-in-the-uk-explained\">Annual Leave in the UK Explained<\/h2>\n<p>Annual leave is <strong>paid time off<\/strong> work, also known as statutory leave entitlement, granted by employers to employees and can be used for any reason.<\/p>\n<p>Now, this raises a few questions, such as, \u2018Are part-time employees entitled to the same leave as full-time employees?\u2019 Let\u2019s review entitlement when it comes to holiday leave and how it is paid out.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-much-leave-are-your-employees-entitled-to\">How Much Leave Are Your Employees Entitled To?<\/h2>\n<p>Under the UK&#8217;s Working Time Regulations 1998, almost all individuals classed as workers are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year. For an employee working a five-day week, this translates to 28 days of statutory leave, as confirmed by guidance on CIPD. This entitlement extends to agency workers, workers with irregular hours, and those on zero-hour contracts., according to acas.org.uk According to GOV.UK guidance, statutory paid holiday entitlement is capped at 28 days, even for those who work six days a week.<\/p>\n<p>An employer can choose to include UK bank holidays as part of the statutory 28 days. The employment contract, as highlighted by Acas, must clearly state whether the leave entitlement is inclusive or exclusive of bank holidays. A part-time worker is also entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of leave, calculated on a pro-rata basis. For instance, according to Acas guidance, an employee working three days a week is entitled to 16.8 days of annual leave (3 days \u00d7 5.6 weeks). You can use the official GOV.UK holiday calculator to determine pro-rata entitlements.<\/p>\n<p>For leave years beginning on or after 1 April 2024, the method for calculating leave for irregular-hour and part-year workers was clarified. Holiday entitlement for these workers accrues at 12.07% of the hours they have worked in a pay period. This percentage is derived, according to Citizens Advice, from the statutory 5.6 weeks of leave divided by the remaining 46.4 working weeks of the year. Employers can also use &#8216;rolled-up holiday pay&#8217; for these workers, where an additional amount for holiday pay is added to their regular pay packet.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-should-you-manage-employee-time-off-requests\">How Should You Manage Employee Time-off Requests?<\/h2>\n<p>Are you wondering how you manage employee holidays in the best way? The first step to more organised and effective employee holiday management is Annual Leave Software. Here are a few tips for managing holiday requests better:<\/p>\n<div class=\"factorial-banner inline-banner banner-freebie category-factorial-team\"\n    data-banner-id=\"170479\"\n    data-banner-type=\"freebie\"\n    data-category=\"Factorial Team\">\n    <div class=\"banner-content\">\n        <div class=\"banner-text\">\n                            <h4>Download your free monthly timesheet<\/h4>\n            \n                            <ul class=\"banner-checklist\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"not-prose\">Stay compliant with recordkeeping laws<\/li>\n                                                                                                <li class=\"not-prose\">Gain tighter control of your team&#039;s hours<\/li>\n                                                                                                <li class=\"not-prose\">Increase payroll accuracy<\/li>\n                                                            <\/ul>\n            \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/templates\/monthly-timesheet\"\n                    class=\"factorial-cta-button not-prose freebie\" data-cta=\"freebie\" data-cta-position=\"inline-banner\">\n                    Download for free                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-image has-image\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/14100624\/template-static-banner.png\" class=\"not-prose\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Have a Well-defined Leave Policy for Employees<\/h4>\n<p>Make sure to communicate the holiday entitlement policy with new staff during the onboarding process. All of this information should also be available in the employee onboarding handbook.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Holiday Management Software<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Ensure compliance with UK labour laws regarding the minimum number of holidays per year your employees are entitled to by using holiday management software.<\/p>\n<h3>Before Accepting Holiday Requests: What to Know<\/h3>\n<p>An employer must be aware of a few essential things before accepting an employee\u2019s holiday request on your HR software.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>There are <strong>adequate resources to cover the absence<\/strong> to ensure business requirements are met.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>leave is discussed and mutually decided<\/strong> upon by the employer and employee.<\/li>\n<li>There are <strong>no conflicting requests<\/strong> and\/or too many employees away at one time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Whilst it is easy to just follow a \u2018firstcome, firstserved\u2019 system when considering holiday requests, a better way of managing employee holiday requests and absences is required. To ensure your business runs smoothly during yearly absences, proper absence management is necessary.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"is-stress-leave-from-work-part-of-the-annual-time-off\">Is Stress Leave from Work Part of the Annual Time-off?<\/h2>\n<p>In the UK, there is no separate statutory entitlement for &#8216;stress leave&#8217;. If an employee is unable to work due to stress, anxiety, or depression, this is treated as sick leave. According to Acas guidance, the employee should follow the company&#8217;s standard sickness absence reporting procedure. They can self-certify for the first seven days of absence and will require a doctor&#8217;s fit note thereafter. Whilst on sick leave, an employee continues to accrue their statutory annual leave entitlement, as confirmed by Acas guidance. An employee may choose to book annual leave instead of taking sick leave, but an employer cannot force them to do so.<\/p>\n<p>Work-related stress, depression, or anxiety are significant issues in the UK. Data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for 2026\/25 shows these conditions account for 52% of all work-related ill health cases. An employee can provide a fit note from their GP for any mental health condition, just as they would for a physical illness, to certify their absence from work.<\/p>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/04124609\/imgonline-com-ua-CompressToSize-nXrSokwc6J3d.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/04124609\/imgonline-com-ua-CompressToSize-nXrSokwc6J3d.jpg 830w, https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/04124609\/imgonline-com-ua-CompressToSize-nXrSokwc6J3d-300x145.jpg 300w, https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/04124609\/imgonline-com-ua-CompressToSize-nXrSokwc6J3d-768x370.jpg 768w\" alt=\"annual leave entitlement maternity leave uk\" width=\"830\" height=\"400\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-the-law-on-statutory-maternity-leave-in-the-uk\">What is the Law on Statutory Maternity Leave in the UK?<\/h2>\n<p>Maternity leave is the time off work granted to an employee before and after giving birth. People often ask, <strong>how much maternity leave will I get?<\/strong> The maximum is 52 weeks of maternity leave. An employee can hand in a maternity leave request letter to their employer. \u2018Ordinary maternity leave\u2019 covers the first 26 weeks and \u2018Additional maternity leave\u2019 covers the second 26 weeks.<\/p>\n<p>The earliest an employee can request leave is 11 weeks before the expected birth date, unless complications arise, such as premature birth. By law, employees must stay off work for at least 2 weeks following birth.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factorial-banner inline-banner banner-demo category-factorial-team\"\n    data-banner-id=\"177020\"\n    data-banner-type=\"demo\"\n    data-category=\"Factorial Team\">\n    <div class=\"banner-content\">\n        <div class=\"banner-text\">\n                            <h4>Take control of complex shift planning<\/h4>\n            \n                            <p>Whether managing 10 or 10,000 employees, create fair and efficient schedules that balance business needs with employee preferences.<\/p>\n            \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/request-demo\"\n                    class=\"factorial-cta-button not-prose demo btn-brand\" data-cta=\"demo\" data-cta-position=\"inline-banner\">\n                    Get a demo                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-image no-image\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/blog\/app\/plugins\/factorial-utilities\/assets\/images\/banners\/inline\/backgrounds\/default_image.svg\" class=\"not-prose\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)<\/h3>\n<p>If the employee is eligible, they are entitled to SMP for up to 39 weeks.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>First 6 weeks:<\/strong> 90% of their average weekly earnings (AWE) before tax.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Remaining 33 weeks:<\/strong> \u00a3194.32 per week or 90% of their AWE, whichever is lower.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To be eligible, an employee must also earn on average at least \u00a3129 a week.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"paternity-leave-uk-law\">Paternity Leave UK Law<\/h2>\n<p>In the UK, employees are entitled to paternity leave when their partner is having a baby. Qualifying fathers can take from 1 to 2 weeks of paid paternity leave, and the earliest the leave starts is the date of childbirth or later. However, it must end within 56 days of the child\u2019s birth.<\/p>\n<p>Some employers may allow fathers to take more time off, depending on company regulations and the requirements for paternity leave. The statutory weekly rate of Paternity Pay for the 2026\/2027 tax year is \u00a3194.32, or 90% of the employee&#8217;s average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"adoption-leave-uk\">Adoption Leave UK<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re adopting a child, you are eligible to get time off to attend 2 adoption appointments after you\u2019ve been paired with a child. You must give your employer proof of adoption to qualify for adoption leave pay if required.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, you and your partner may be able to qualify for shared adoption leave, where you can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay.<\/p>\n<h3>Parental Bereavement Leave Policy (Jack\u2019s Law)<\/h3>\n<p>From April 2026, employed parents are entitled to two weeks\u2019 bereavement leave following the death of a child. This accounts for employed parents who have lost a child under the age of 18, excluding self-employed workers. Rights to parental leave for bereavement are also available to adoptive parents, as long as the adoption placement has not been obstructed.<\/p>\n<p>Now you may ask, how long is the parental leave entitlement? Each parent will be entitled to take 2 weeks off during the year following the death of their child. This can be taken in two sections of one-week periods or a single block of 2 weeks together. The employer is not allowed to refuse, postpone or amend the dates chosen by the employee, but the leave should be taken within 56 weeks, starting on the day of the death of their child. If the employee loses more than one child, they have the right to a period of bereavement leave for each child. Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay is paid at the statutory flat rate.<\/p>\n<h3>Key Considerations for Annual Leave Policies<\/h3>\n<p>To ensure compliance and fairness, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) advises that HR professionals ensure their annual leave policies are clearly documented and communicated. Key areas to define include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Leave Year:<\/strong> Specify the 12-month period during which leave must be taken (e.g., January to December).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Booking Procedures:<\/strong> Outline the notice period required for requesting leave.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Carry-Over Rules:<\/strong> Clearly state how many days, if any, can be carried over into the next leave year. Whilst statutory guidance allows for carry-over in specific situations like long-term sickness, company policy on contractual leave should be explicit.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Payment on Termination:<\/strong> Detail how outstanding leave entitlement will be calculated and paid when an employee leaves the company.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Using a centralised holiday and leave management system can automate these rules, providing a clear record for both employees and managers, and ensuring your business remains compliant with the Working Time Regulations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factorial-banner inline-banner banner-demo category-factorial-team\"\n    data-banner-id=\"167129\"\n    data-banner-type=\"demo\"\n    data-category=\"Factorial Team\">\n    <div class=\"banner-content\">\n        <div class=\"banner-text\">\n                            <h4>Want see more of Factorial?<\/h4>\n            \n                            <ul class=\"banner-checklist\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"not-prose\">Automate your workflows<\/li>\n                                                                                                <li class=\"not-prose\">Save time &amp; effort<\/li>\n                                                                                                <li class=\"not-prose\">Centralise HR &amp; finance with one platform<\/li>\n                                                            <\/ul>\n            \n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/request-demo\"\n                    class=\"factorial-cta-button not-prose demo btn-brand\" data-cta=\"demo\" data-cta-position=\"inline-banner\">\n                    Get a demo                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-image has-image\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/01114707\/Discover-banner-factorial-laptop.png\" class=\"not-prose\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>FAQ<\/h2>\n<h3>What is the normal annual leave entitlement?<\/h3>\n<p>In the UK, most workers have a statutory entitlement to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave. For an employee working five days a week, this equals 28 days. This minimum entitlement can include bank holidays, depending on the employer&#8217;s policy.<\/p>\n<h3>How do I calculate my annual leave entitlement?<\/h3>\n<p>For full-time employees, the entitlement is 5.6 weeks. For part-time staff, it&#8217;s calculated on a pro-rata basis (e.g., 5.6 multiplied by the number of days worked per week). The easiest way to manage these calculations and track balances is with an all-in-one business management software like Factorial.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"TIME OFF Software \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f | Manage Holidays &amp; Absences \ud83c\udfd6 - Factorial\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/buL6CWPktKE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Article\",\n      \"headline\": \"Understanding Employee Annual Leave Entitlement in the UK\",\n      \"description\": \"Navigate UK employee annual leave and other entitlements for 2026. 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For an employee working five days a week, this equals 28 days. This minimum entitlement can include bank holidays, depending on the employer's policy.\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How do I calculate my annual leave entitlement?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"For full-time employees, the entitlement is 5.6 weeks. For part-time staff, it's calculated on a pro-rata basis (e.g., 5.6 multiplied by the number of days worked per week). The easiest way to manage these calculations and track balances is with an all-in-one business management software like Factorial.\"\n          }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Employee Annual Leave in the UK can be taken for various reasons. It\u2019s crucial that HR professionals are aware of the annual leave entitlement in the UK and the different types of leave available to their employees. This knowledge helps to track employees\u2019 time off with ease and ensure company compliance with UK employment laws.<a href=\"https:\/\/factorialhr.co.uk\/blog\/employee-annual-leave\/\" class=\"read-more\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":97,"featured_media":68249,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[103,887],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-team","category-human-resources-en-gb"],"acf":{"topics":"time-off"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.5 (Yoast SEO v21.9.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>UK Employee Annual Leave Entitlement 2026 Explained | Factorial<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Navigate UK employee annual leave and other entitlements for 2026. 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