Everyday Workplace Policies

5. Holidays

5.1 Decide how holiday dates are to be allocated, and how you are going to provide for cover during holiday periods.

• Most companies work on a 'first come, first served' system.
• Many companies put a limit of, for example, two weeks on the amount of holiday that can normally be taken at any one time.

5.2 Set out your position on holiday rollovers.

• For example, you might stipulate that no more than one week of unused holiday can be rolled over into the next year.

5.3 Establish policies on bank holidays and time off in lieu.

5.4 Make it clear that employees need permission to take any unpaid leave.

• Any extensions to time away from the workplace should be agreed in advance. There may be tax implications if an employee adds a week's holiday to an overseas business trip.