Why UK Workers Are Skipping Annual Leave (and What That Means)

Madeleine Evans -

It’s time to talk about annual leave—a topic employees love but can overlook. Despite being one of the most valuable aspects of employment in the UK, a significant number of Brits do not take full advantage of their entitled holiday time. According to our survey, over half of UK workers (61%) didn’t use up all their annual leave in 2023. That’s approximately 20 million working people leaving their holiday days unused.

So, what’s going on? Why are so many workers struggling to take their well-deserved time off, and what does this trend reveal about the broader work culture in the UK?

The UK Has Got Slightly Better at Taking Holiday

Despite most UK workers not taking all their annual leave, people are getting better at using all their holiday. In 2023, 31% of workers maxed out their holiday time, up from 29% in 2022. Significantly, women were more likely to take all their leave (34% vs 29% of men), but whether this is because of childcare commitments is another conversation.

The age group leading the charge is 45 to 54-year-olds, with nearly 45% ensuring they take every last day of annual leave. People in Plymouth, Brighton, or Edinburgh were also most likely to take all their holiday.

The Toxic Workplace Problem

Unfortunately, not everyone skips holidays by choice. There’s a darker side to this story, as some workers face pressure from their employers not to take leave. 9% of men and 6% of women said they felt this way in 2023. Those in the 25-34 age group were hit hardest by "hustle culture," with 17% saying they felt pressure from management not to take a break.

The cities of Sheffield, London, and Manchester reported higher rates of toxic workplaces, with many saying they were just too busy or understaffed to step away.

Choosing Time Off Over Money

Despite the ongoing cost of living crisis, more people are favouring time off over extra cash. In 2023, only 12% of workers chose to sell their annual leave, a slight drop from 14% in 2022. It seems Brits are realising the value of recharging over adding to their paycheck.

However, there’s still a gender gap when it comes to financial reimbursement. Men are more likely to sell their annual leave (15% vs 10% of women) and they’re also more likely to get paid for unused leave, with 17% of men receiving payments compared to 13% of women in 2023. It’s also worth noting that the younger crowd, aged 16-34, are most likely to favour extra money over time off.

A Quick Look at Bereavement, Adoption, and Parental Leave

On a more personal note, there was a 7% rise in people taking bereavement or compassionate leave in 2023, according to our database. This trend indicates that more workplaces and employees were recognising the importance of time off for grieving and coping with personal hardships.

As for adoption leave, numbers are surprisingly low, with less than 0.05% of workers taking it in 2023. This likely mirrors the relatively low adoption rates in the UK, but also highlights a gap between policy and uptake. 

When it comes to paternity leave, dads still aren’t taking much time—averaging just 16.5 days, which has actually decreased from 2022.

On the other hand, maternity leave also saw a slight dip, with mothers taking 10-11 weeks on average in 2023, down from 11 weeks in 2022. This reflects growing concerns about financial pressures forcing new mums back to work earlier than they’d like.

As we head into the last few months of 2024, it's time to look at the annual leave trends that have shaped the year so far—and make some predictions for what’s still to come. One thing’s for sure: Mondays and Fridays remain the most popular days when it comes to time off. Understandably, workers love to stretch their weekends into mini-breaks, giving themselves that extra day to relax or head off on a short trip.

But if we zoom in on the busiest time of the year for holiday bookings, it's no surprise that the week between Christmas and New Year tops the list. For years, this period has been the sweet spot for people wanting to extend the festive season and squeeze in one final break before diving into the New Year. Last year, December 27th was the most popular day for annual leave, and we expect a repeat in 2024.

If you're planning on booking some time off, circle Friday, 27th December and Monday, 30th December on your calendar. These days are practically guaranteed to be the most popular, as workers look to string together a long holiday break. Whether it's extra time to enjoy the Christmas leftovers or gearing up for New Year's Eve, everyone’s keen to keep the festivities going.

If you’re after a peaceful break, aim for early in the new year—Friday, 10th January or Monday, 13th January 2025 could be perfect low-traffic days to take some downtime.

But for now, all eyes are on December. If you haven't already, get those Christmas dates booked early, because 27th and 30th of December are shaping up to be the busiest days for a little extra festive cheer.

It’s Time to Reclaim Your Leave

So, what’s the takeaway? If there’s one thing this data shows, it’s that employees have a way to go to make the most of their annual leave allowance. Taking a break isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s crucial for health, well-being, and overall productivity. Workplaces must actively encourage it and make the effort to ensure their employees feel like they can take a well-deserved break.