The legal position
Almost all workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid annual leave, capped at twenty-eight days for those working more than five days a week. Part-time entitlement is proportionate. Bank holidays can form part of the statutory entitlement and are not automatically extra paid leave. Irregular-hours and part-year arrangements need the relevant calculation rules. Entitlement to time off and the amount of holiday pay are related but separate questions.
Source and attribution [1]Using it in practice
Confirm status, working pattern, leave-year dates and contractual enhancement. Use the appropriate official calculator or guidance, retaining the inputs and method. Explain entitlement in a unit that works for the pattern, such as hours where appropriate. Reconcile leave records and payroll when hours change, and ensure staff can actually take their leave rather than only maintaining a nominal balance.
An example, not a reported case
Worked example · illustrative
A worker moves from five equal days to three longer days. Simply multiplying the old daily allowance by three-fifths could confuse the value of a day. HR checks the new pattern, contractual terms and the correct calculation unit, then explains the result in writing. The manager also checks coverage so the revised entitlement can be used in practice.
What to watch for
Carry-over, sickness, family leave and irregular-hours pay rules need additional guidance. Do not apply a single percentage or a full-time days figure to every arrangement.
Take it into your next conversation
Three useful questions.
- What is the actual working pattern?
- Are leave and pay calculations being confused?
- Can the worker take the entitlement in practice?
Go to the evidence
Sources & attribution
[1] GOV.UK. Holiday entitlement. ↗
Official guidance supports the legal overview. Application notes and examples are original editorial material, not individual legal advice. Check the linked source for changes and the full qualifications.
Published 2026-09-20 · Reviewed 2026-09-20. Editorial approach