Staff are encouraged to continue to take their annual leave entitlement

Due to government restrictions, there is likely to be continued uncertainty around travel and holiday plans during the current annual leave year. Despite this it is essential that all staff are supported and encouraged to take regular annual leave for the benefit of their wellbeing.

Managers should help staff manage their leave, checking that they have plans for time off throughout the holiday year. This will avoid the need to balance a disproportionate amount of requests later in the year. Requests to cancel leave should be discussed with the employee to ensure that the leave will be taken at another time.

All staff are required to take 28 days of their 38 day entitlement before the end of their leave year (pro rated for part time staff). Staff will be able to carry forward up to ten days of annual leave.

Full guidance on the 2020-21 leave year is available on the HR webpages.

Easter 2021

Further to the VC's email of 10 March, all staff are strongly encouraged to take two of their annual leave days on Thursday 1 April and Tuesday 6 April. The intention of extending the Easter bank holiday weekend, is to support as many staff as possible to have a coordinated 6 day period of rest to rebalance work and home life.

Managers should facilitate as many people as possible to take two of their leave days at this time. However we recognise that this timing will not be appropriate for everyone. Full information on the Easter leave days is available on the HR webpages.

Colleagues in the Human Resources department will be taking the recommended break over Easter. Therefore please be advised that HR colleagues will be unavailable from 1 April to 6 April, returning to normal working practices on Wednesday 7 April.