HR Answers
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Clear, plain-English answers to the questions UK employers actually ask, each one backed by the law it rests on.
8 answers
Can I refuse an employee's holiday request?
You can refuse a holiday request if you have a genuine business reason.
How much notice do I have to give to refuse a holiday request?
Unless your contract says otherwise, you must give the worker as much notice as the holiday is long. If you don't, it doesn't count, and the worker can take the holiday anyway.
Are bank holidays included in the statutory holiday entitlement?
Your contract decides whether bank holidays come out of your holiday allowance or sit on top.
Is 'first come, first served' for holiday requests discriminatory?
Not automatically, but it can be. If the rule consistently puts parents or carers at a disadvantage and you cannot show it is a proportionate way to run the business, it may be indirect discrimination under the Equality Act.
When does unused holiday carry over to the next year?
Core statutory leave generally cannot be carried over, but there are three exceptions: family-related leave, long-term sickness, and where the employer did not give the worker a genuine chance to take it.
How does Statutory Sick Pay work?
You must pay Statutory Sick Pay from the first day an employee is off sick, for up to 28 weeks. The rate is the lower of the flat weekly rate or 80% of their normal pay.
How much notice does an employee have to give to request holiday?
Unless your contract says otherwise, a worker has to give you as much notice as twice the length of the holiday.
Do I have to hold a return-to-work meeting after sickness absence?
No, return-to-work meetings are not required by law. However, they are one of the most effective ways to manage absence, so hold one after every period of sickness.