Holiday request
A holiday request, in the context of employment law and human resources within the United Kingdom, refers to an employee’s formal application to take time off from work for the purpose of holidays, which can include annual leave, sick leave, or other types of absence. This request typically involves submitting a formal notice to their employer, usually through HR systems or direct communication with line managers.
The process of making a holiday request often includes:
Notification Period: Employees are expected to provide adequate notice for their holiday requests, which is generally considered to be at least 28 days in advance. However, this period can vary depending on the company’s policies and collective bargaining agreements (if applicable).
Approval Process: The employer reviews the request against operational needs, ensuring that the absence does not cause undue disruption or impact on business operations. This may involve checking rota commitments, ensuring adequate staffing levels during peak periods, and considering any necessary cover arrangements.
Leave Entitlements: Employees are entitled to a certain number of paid annual leave days under UK employment law (typically 28 days for full-time employees), which can be taken in one go or broken into smaller periods throughout the year. The specifics of holiday entitlements can vary based on individual contracts, collective agreements, and company policies.
Refusal of Holiday Request: If an employer refuses a holiday request, they must provide a valid reason that is not discriminatory or unfair. This could include operational requirements, lack of staff availability during peak periods, or other legitimate business needs.
Holiday Pay: Employees are entitled to receive their full pay for the days taken as annual leave, subject to certain conditions and deductions (e.g., statutory sick pay if they’re off sick).
Carrying Over Unused Leave: If an employee has unused holiday entitlement at the end of a year, they may be able to carry it over into the next year according to company policies or collective agreements.
Blackout Dates: Some employers might have specific dates (often referred to as “blackout dates”) when no holidays can be taken due to operational reasons, such as during peak periods or special events.
In summary, a holiday request in the UK involves an employee formally asking for time off from work for holidays, which is then reviewed and approved by their employer based on operational needs and leave entitlements.
AceRota’s automated holiday request system allows employees to submit requests online, which are then automatically sent to their line managers for approval, reducing administrative time and increasing visibility of staff availability.
