Two additional days leave to support staff wellbeing

This has been a particularly difficult year, for the whole of the higher education sector, and we are extremely grateful that everyone at the University has worked hard and persevered to get through it together. As a thank you, the University is giving staff two additional days leave to extend the winter break and facilitate some much needed rest time away from work.

This will consist of one additional day at the start, Wednesday 24 December, and one additional day at the end, Friday 2 January 2026. This additional entitlement will be reduced pro-rata for part time staff.

Taking time off this winter

• As many colleagues as possible should take the 24 December and 2 January off to enjoy an extended break, unless it is agreed with their line manager that they are required to work.
• Staff who are required to work on 24 December and 2 January, for example Campus Safety, will be granted the two additional days (pro-rated for part time) for use at another time. Ideally, this would be used to support the extended winter break.
• As usual, colleagues should use their annual leave entitlement for the three public holidays and the three customary closure days falling between 25 December and 1 January.
• Part-time staff have a pro-rated leave entitlement (including 24 December and 2 January), but they will need to book less time off to enjoy the extended break.

Please refer to the FAQ document for further guidance on the winter break. The FAQs include guidance for departments on how to manage the additional leave entitlement in FlexiLeave.

Further guidance on annual leave entitlement, including a leave calculator, can be found on the HR webpages.