Holiday entitlement following periods of sickness absence

If an employee is on long-term sick leave during the last six months of the annual leave year and cannot take their full annual leave entitlement, their Head of Department may approve carrying the leave forward into the next holiday year.

If an employee is on occupational sick leave, providing their absence is covered by a fit note they are entitled to take any public and customary holidays that occur during their absence upon their return to work. The employee must agree on a mutually convenient time with their line manager.

Once an employee has exhausted their occupational sick pay entitlement, they are no longer entitled to reclaim public and customary holidays upon their return to work. However, they may be eligible to receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for these days.