Holiday Pay UK: Your Statutory Entitlement Explained

Almost every worker in the UK is entitled to paid holiday by law, but the way entitlement is calculated confuses many people, especially part-timers and those with irregular hours. This guide walks through the rules in plain English.

How much holiday are you entitled to?

Most workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year. For someone working five days a week that equals 28 days, and your employer can include bank holidays within that total. The statutory maximum is 28 days, even if you work more than five days a week.

Many employers offer more than the legal minimum, so check your contract. Extra contractual days are not covered by the statutory rules unless your contract says so.

Part-time workers

Part-time workers receive the same 5.6 weeks, pro rata to the days they work. If you work three days a week, your entitlement is 3 x 5.6 = 16.8 days a year. Your employer cannot treat you less favourably than a full-time colleague doing a comparable job.

Irregular hours and part-year workers

If you work irregular hours or only part of the year, your leave can be calculated as 12.07% of the hours you work. For example, if you work 1,000 hours across the year, you accrue about 121 hours of paid holiday.

How holiday pay is calculated

If your pay is fixed, holiday pay is simply your normal pay. If your hours or pay vary, holiday pay is generally based on your average pay over the previous 52 paid weeks, including regular overtime and commission that forms part of normal remuneration.

Example: a worker earning an average of £420 a week who takes two weeks of holiday should receive 2 x £420 = £840.

Use the Holiday Pay Calculator UK to test your own figures.

Carrying over and leaving a job

Your employer can decide whether unused leave carries over, unless your contract says otherwise. If you leave, you are entitled to be paid for accrued but unused statutory holiday. If you have taken more than you accrued, your employer may only deduct the excess where your contract allows it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bank holidays count towards my 28 days?

They can. Your employer is allowed to include bank holidays within the 5.6 weeks of statutory leave.

How much holiday do part-time workers get?

The same 5.6 weeks as full-time workers, pro rata to the days or hours worked.

Does overtime count towards holiday pay?

Regular overtime that forms part of your normal pay should be included when your pay is variable.

Do I get paid for unused holiday when I leave?

Yes. You should receive pay for any accrued statutory holiday you have not taken.

This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal or medical advice. Rules and figures change, so check the official sources below and speak to a qualified adviser for decisions that matter.