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.
Disclaimer: This country guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we update it regularly, it may not reflect ongoing regulatory changes. Illizeo SA accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this content.
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.
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