Holiday Pay & Annual Leave
Your Holiday Entitlement
You are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave per holiday year, in accordance with applicable UK employment legislation. For a full-time worker working five days a week, this is normally equivalent to 28 days.
Your annual leave entitlement is based on your working arrangements and may include Bank and Public Holidays. Where applicable, the standard 28-day entitlement comprises:
- 20 days of annual leave
- 8 Bank and Public Holidays
The SmartWork holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Your annual leave entitlement must be used within the current holiday year and cannot normally be carried forward, except where carry-over is required or permitted by law or your employment arrangements.
How Your Holiday Pay Works
SmartWork operates a paid-in-advance holiday pay arrangement. This means your holiday pay is paid alongside normal pay in each pay period and itemised separately on the payslip rather than being held until you take annual leave.
At onboarding, you will receive information explaining how we manage your holiday pay. If you would prefer to accrue your holiday pay instead, you can notify SmartWork so we can put the appropriate arrangement in place.
Accrued Holiday Pay
If you are on an accrued holiday pay arrangement, your holiday pay entitlement builds up as you are paid. Your accrued holiday pay and available balance will be shown on your payslip.
To take annual leave and receive the corresponding accrued holiday pay, submit a request to SmartWork. Once processed, the payment will appear on your payslip, and your accrued balance will be adjusted accordingly.
How to Request Annual Leave
All holiday requests must be submitted by email to holidays@smartwork.com. Please submit your request in good time so we can review and process it.
Workers receiving holiday pay through their regular payroll must still submit holiday requests and take their annual leave. Holiday pay arrangements do not remove the requirement to take appropriate rest and time away from work.
Keeping Track of Your Holiday Balance
Your payslip will show your accrued holiday entitlement and, where applicable, your total available holiday balance. SmartWork also sends regular reminders throughout the holiday year, including as the year-end approaches, to help you use your entitlement fully.
We encourage all workers to plan and take their annual leave throughout the year to support a healthy work-life balance.
Holiday Accrual During Absence
Holiday entitlement continues to accrue during applicable periods of sickness absence and statutory family leave, in accordance with UK employment legislation and the terms of your employment arrangements.
When Your Employment Ends
If your employment ends with unused accrued holiday entitlement, we will include any payment due in your final pay, with the relevant details reflected on your final payslip.
Need Help?
If you have any questions about your holiday entitlement, holiday pay balance or a holiday request, please contact the SmartWork team at holidays@smartwork.com.