What Different Types Of Work Leave Can You Take In The UK?

When an employee in the UK needs time off from work, they may request it. This can be for a variety of reasons, such as illness, bereavement, or taking care of a family emergency.

There are several types of leave that employees may be eligible for, and the process for requesting leave varies depending on the type of leave and the employer.

Maternity Leave

The law gives women the right to 52 weeks of maternity leave, of which 39 are paid. To be eligible for maternity leave, a woman must have worked for her employer for 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks before her baby is due.

Maternity pay is calculated using a woman's average weekly earnings in the eight weeks before she goes on maternity leave. She is then entitled to 90% of her average weekly earnings for the first six weeks of maternity leave, and £156.66 per week or 90% of her average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the remaining 33 weeks.

Some employers choose to offer more generous terms than those set out in the law, and many men take advantage of paternity leave options available to them.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to two weeks of paternity leave after the birth or adoption of a child. The leave can be taken at any time within 56 days of the child's birth or placement for adoption.

Fathers must give their employers at least eight weeks' notice before taking paternity leave. They must also provide proof that they are the child's father, such as a birth certificate or paternity order.

Paternity leave pays the same amount as maternity leave - £156.66 per week or 90% of their average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).

Fathers who take paternity leave are entitled to return to their same job or a similar job with the same terms and conditions.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to 28 weeks of paid sick leave per year. This can be used for illness, injury, maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, or to care for a dependant.

Workers must give their employer notice if they will be taking sick leave, unless it is not reasonably possible to do so. If the employee is absent for more than 7 days in a row, the employer may require a doctor's note or other evidence to support the absence.

Employees who are absent from work due to illness are generally entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP), which is £99.35 per week

Compassionate Leave (Bereavement Leave)

Paid compassionate leave is a benefit that is available to employees in the United Kingdom. It provides workers with time off to deal with a bereavement or to care for a loved one who is seriously ill. Eligible employees are able to take up to three days of paid leave per year.

Employers are not required to offer paid compassionate leave, but many choose to do so as a way of showing their support for their workforce. The leave can be used for any purpose related to the employee's caring responsibilities, such as attending hospital appointments or arranging care for an ill relative.

Paid compassionate leave is an important benefit for employees who are dealing with a difficult time in their lives. It can help them to focus on their loved ones and ensure that they receive the support that they need.

Duvet Day

A duvet day allows employees to stay home and relax in their own bed, rather than go to work. Duvet days are often used by employees who are feeling ill or have a lot of work to catch up on, and they can be taken either as part of annual leave or sick leave.

Employers can also give their employees duvet days as a way of thanking them for their hard work. This is usually done in the form of a bonus day, which employees can use to take some time off work to relax.

Duvet days are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, as they offer employees a chance to catch up on rest and relaxation without having to use vacation time or sick days.

Gardening Leave

Gardening leave is a period of paid leave that a senior staff member may be offered after resigning or being made redundant.

While on garden leave, the employee cannot go to work, access company property, or contact their co-workers or customers. This type of leave ensures that the individual does not take company secrets with them when they leave.

Annual Leave

Annual leave is a great way for employees to relax and recharge their batteries, and can help improve morale and productivity in the workplace.

Employers must give their employees a minimum of 5.6 weeks (28 days) of paid leave per year. This can be taken in one go, or split into smaller periods.

Employees are allowed to take annual leave for any reason, including holidays, illness, or to care for a family member.

They should give their employer as much notice as possible if they need to take time off, and should aim to schedule their leave as far in advance as possible.

Employers are not required to offer paid leave on bank holidays, but many choose to do so in order to attract and retain good employees. In addition, employees may be given extra days off for special occasions such as their birthday or wedding anniversary.

Career Break

When an employee wants to take a career break, they are usually allowed to take up to 12 months of unpaid leave.

During this time, they are not allowed to work for another company, and they must inform their employer of their intentions at least 8 weeks before taking the leave.

While on a career break leave, employees are still entitled to all the benefits they would normally receive, such as holiday pay and sick pay.

Employers in the UK are not required to offer career break leave, but many do so as a way of retaining talented employees.

This can be a great way for employees to recharge their batteries and come back to work with fresh ideas. It can also be a good opportunity for employees to pursue new opportunities or travel the world.

Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) Leave

An increasing number of UK employers are offering time off in lieu (TOIL) leave to their employees as an alternative to overtime pay.

TOIL leave allows employees to take time off instead of receiving overtime pay for working beyond their regular hours. This can be a valuable benefit for employees, as it allows them to take time off to relax, travel, or spend time with family and friends.

Employers may find that offering TOIL Leave is a cost-effective way to reduce the number of hours employees work each week. This type of leave is a great option for employees who want to earn extra time off but don't want to lose pay by taking vacation days.

Unpaid Leave

Employers are not required to give employees unpaid leave, but many choose to do so.

Unpaid leave may be requested for a variety of reasons, including illness, caring for a sick family member, or pursuing educational opportunities. Some employers also allow employees to take unpaid leave to serve in the military.

Employees who take unpaid leave are typically entitled to keep their jobs and return to the same position they held before taking leave. However, employers are not required to offer paid vacation time or paid sick days, so workers who take unpaid leave may lose those benefits.

They should consult with their employer before taking unpaid leave to ensure that they understand the company's policies and procedures.

Sabbatical

A sabbatical is a type of work leave that gives employees the opportunity to pursue their interests, like travel, research, volunteering, or furthering their education.

It is a practice often associated with academia, but it is increasingly being adopted by various companies across multiple industries.

Unlike regular vacation days, sabbaticals can last from a few months to a year, and their goal is to provide employees with an extended period of time to rest, rejuvenate, and pursue personal projects, all with the aim of enhancing their productivity upon return.

Sabbaticals can be full-paid, partially paid, or unpaid, depending on the company's policies and the agreement between the employer and the employee.

If you want to offer this type of leave, you should develop clear guidelines for requesting, approving, and tracking sabbaticals, as well as establishing a system for evaluating and documenting the impact of sabbaticals on individual employees and the organization as a whole.

Don't let the management of work leave become a burdensome task. Take advantage of our absence management tool today and experience a seamless solution that benefits your entire workforce.