IF you’re already planning your holidays for 2024, you’ll want to make the most of your annual leave and get as much time off as you can.
And you can get bag longer stretches of time off work, using fewer holiday days, with just a few simple tricks.
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And securing more time off for the same amount of annual leave might be easier than you think.
Next year you could enjoy 55 days off of work – for just 25 days of annual leave.
The key, is to make the most of public holidays like long bank holiday weekends.
Here’s what you’ll need to do…
March – April
If you book three days off between March 25 and 28, and the 2 and 5 of April, you’ll be in for a treat.
With just eight days of annual leave gone, you’ll have twice as many days off.
With 16 holiday days, you could definitely fit in a good trip.
May
Booking off May 7 – 10 and 28 – 31 with your annual leave might see you lose four days of it from your yearly quota, but you’ll be getting nine off in total.
And as the warmer weather starts to kick in, it’s the perfect time of year for a little beach break.
August
The hot bank holiday weekend in August is always a good time of year to steer clear of the office.
Scheduling your days off around it means you’ll be able to get a 9-day stretch off work, including the weekend with just four days of annual leave.
December
And as the Christmas season approaches, everyone wants to get as much time as possible to spend with family.
Booking off the 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31 means with just five days off annual leave gone, you can have 12 days off!
What are my rights to time off?
Your employer will have to agree to the suggested times off listed here in order for you to score those extra days.
Most employees who work a five-day week must get at least 28 days’ paid annual leave a year – the equivalent of 5.6 weeks of holiday.
But there is no obligation for employers to grant requests for specific dates.
And getting specific time off often depends on how many other employees plan to do so at the same time– so getting your requests in early can make a difference.
And make sure you get time off approved before you pay for plans, that you may not be able to stick to!
