United Kingdom
The UK guarantees a statutory minimum of 5.6 weeks paid annual leave (28 days for full-time, including bank holidays). SSP (Statutory Sick Pay) at £116.75/week after 4 continuous sick days. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) up to 39 weeks.
Annual paid leave
WTR 1998 — 5.6 wks (28 days)Working Time Regulations 1998 (Reg. 13/13A): 5.6 weeks × working days/week (max 28 days paid). Bank holidays can count towards statutory minimum. No automatic right to paid bank holidays unless in contract.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (5d/wk) | 28 j | 100% | Incl. bank holidays possible |
| Part-time | 5.6 × days/wk | 100% | Pro rata |
| Year 1 | Monthly accrual | — | WTR Reg. 15 |
| Leave year | Définie par contrat | — | Sinon avril-mars |
| Year-end balance | Use or lose | — | Unless carry-over |
| Termination | Paid in lieu (PILON) | 100% | Unused balance |
Public holidays
8 EN/WL · 9 SCO · 10 NI8 bank holidays in England & Wales, 9 in Scotland, 10 in Northern Ireland. No statutory right to bank holiday pay — depends on contract. Many companies close or pay premium (time and a half or double time).
| Day | Date | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day | UK | — |
| 2 January | 2nd January | Scotland only | — |
| 17 March | St. Patrick’s Day | Northern Ireland | — |
| March-April | Good Friday | UK | Variable |
| March-April | Easter Monday | EN/WL/NI | Variable |
| First Mon May | Early May Bank Holiday | UK | — |
| Last Mon May | Spring Bank Holiday | UK | — |
| 12 July | Battle of the Boyne | Northern Ireland | Orangiste |
| First Mon Aug | Summer Bank Holiday | Scotland | — |
| Last Mon Aug | Summer Bank Holiday | EN/WL/NI | — |
| 30 November | St. Andrew’s Day | Scotland | — |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | UK | — |
| 26 December | Boxing Day | UK | — |
Sick leave
SSP £116.75/wk · 28 wks maxStatutory Sick Pay (SSP): £116.75/week paid by employer after 4 continuous sick days (waiting days), for up to 28 weeks. Beyond: ESA (Employment Support Allowance) via DWP. Self-certify 7 days, Fit Note (sick note) beyond.
| Scenario | Waiting | Pay | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1-3 (Waiting days) | 3 j | Non payé sauf contrat | Pas SSP |
| Day 4 to week 28 | 3 j | £116.75/sem (SSP) | 28 sem max |
| Beyond 28 wks | — | ESA (DWP) | Plus SSP |
| Statutory PSP top-up | — | Selon contrat | Contractual |
| Phased return | — | Salaire partiel | Médecin du travail |
Maternity, paternity, parental
SML 52 wks · SMP 39 wksStatutory Maternity Leave: up to 52 weeks (26 ordinary + 26 additional). Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP): 90% pay for 6 wks, then £184.03/wk or 90% (lower) for 33 wks (total 39 wks). Paternity Leave: 2 weeks at SPP (£184.03/wk). Shared Parental Leave (SPL) up to 50 wks shareable.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Maternity | 26 sem | SMP | All employees |
| Additional Maternity | 26 sem | SMP/Unpaid | 6 sem 90%, 33 sem £184.03 |
| Paternity | 1-2 sem | SPP £184.03/sem | 52 sem ancienneté |
| Shared Parental Leave | 50 sem (partage) | ShPP £184.03/wk 37 wks | Eligibilité partagée |
| Parental Leave | 18 sem/enfant | Non payé | Jusqu’aux 18 ans |
| Adoption | 52 sem | SAP (comme SMP) | — |
| Neonatal Care Leave | 12 sem | Selon employeur | 2025 statutaire |
Special leaves
ERA 1996 · PBLA 2018ERA 1996: unpaid time off rights (dependant care, public examination, jury duty, union duties). No statutory bereavement leave except ‘parental bereavement leave’ (2 wks). Many employers offer 1-5 days compassionate leave in contract.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parental Bereavement Leave | 2 sem | SPBP £184.03/sem | Décès enfant < 18 ans |
| Compassionate leave | 1-5 j | Variable | Contractuel |
| Dependant care | Raisonnable | Non payé | ERA 1996 s57A |
| Jury duty | Selon convocation | Non payé statutory | Allocation HMCTS |
| Time off training | Raisonnable | Variable | Apprentis |
| Marriage / civil partnership | Selon contrat | Variable | Pas légal |
| Carer’s Leave | 1 sem/an | Non payé | Depuis 6 avril 2024 |
Information current as of last update. This guide does not replace local legal advice. For specific situations, consult a labor lawyer in the relevant country.
Centralize UK absence management
Illizeo applies WTR 1998 + SSP + SMP + SPL + SAP with per-nation bank holiday management.
Book a meeting← Back to the guide
