Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template
Our Agreement to Anticipate Annual Leave template streamlines advance leave requests, ensuring clarity and compliance with employment regulations.
If an employee has requested to anticipate annual leave from the next annual leave year, issue this model template letter as your agreement to the request.
- 1 page / 177 words.
- Last updated 06/05/2025.
- Designed for United Kingdom use.
- Suitable for use in other territories; check local laws first.
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text, or send by email.
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter
[Sender name]
[Sender address]
[date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Dear [Recipient first name],
Your request to anticipate annual leave
We acknowledge your recent request to anticipate your annual leave entitlement due to [reason for advance leave request]. After careful consideration, we are pleased to inform you that we have agreed to grant you [number of days] of your annual leave in advance.
The approved dates for your anticipated leave are [start date]
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An Agreement to anticipate annual leave is a document for employees to request taking their annual leave entitlement in advance.
The template includes the dates, terms, and impact on future leave entitlements.
Employees sign to confirm their acceptance, and once in place, they can take the agreed leave, with future entitlements adjusted accordingly.
It is usually delivered to the Employee by the Employer / HR.
It should be actioned as soon as possible after a decision is made.
Compliance
Compliance
This Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
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Working Time Regulations 1998: This legislation provides the framework for annual leave entitlements in the UK, including minimum entitlements, carryover rules, and payment in lieu of leave. Employers should ensure that their Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template complies with these regulations, including the requirement to give employees sufficient notice before requesting them to take leave.
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Employment Rights Act 1996: This legislation provides protections for employees, including in relation to annual leave entitlements and pay. Employers should ensure that their Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template complies with these protections, including the requirement to provide employees with a written statement of their terms and conditions of employment.
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Equality Act 2010: This legislation prohibits discrimination in the workplace, including in relation to annual leave requests. Employers should ensure that their Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template does not discriminate against any employee on the basis of their protected characteristics, such as age, gender, race, or disability.
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Data Protection Act 2018: This legislation regulates the collection, storage, and processing of personal data, including information collected through an Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template. Employers should ensure that their template complies with data protection requirements, including obtaining consent from employees to collect and process their personal data.
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Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992: This legislation sets out the rights of employees to join a trade union and to engage in collective bargaining with their employer. Employers should ensure that their Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template does not infringe on these rights and that they consult with any trade union representatives before implementing any changes to their annual leave policies.
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Working Families and Parental Leave Regulations 2014: This legislation provides for various types of leave, including parental leave, that employees may be entitled to in addition to their annual leave. Employers should ensure that their Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template takes into account any additional leave entitlements that an employee may have.
Timings
Timings
Follow these best practice actions to get the most from the Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template, guiding you before, during, and after implementation:
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| Step | Description | Responsibility | Timing |
| 1 | Employee submits request | Employee submits a formal request to anticipate annual leave. | Employee submits request. |
| 2 | Manager reviews request | Manager reviews the request, considering operational needs and staffing requirements. | Within 1-2 business days. |
| 3 | Decision communicated to employee | Manager informs the employee of the decision on their request. If approved, the details of the anticipated annual leave period are provided. | Within 1-2 business days after review. |
| 4 | Agreement to anticipate annual leave issued | If approved, the employer issues an Agreement to Anticipate Annual Leave to the employee, outlining the dates, duration, and any conditions related to the anticipated leave. | Within 1-2 business days after the decision. |
| 5 | Employee's acknowledgment | Employee acknowledges the Agreement and confirms their understanding of the terms by signing the document. | Employee signs before the anticipated leave period. |
Practical example
Practical example
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Scenario: Agreement to Anticipate Annual Leave
ABC Limited, a UK-based company, occasionally allows employees to anticipate their annual leave entitlement to accommodate personal circumstances or special occasions. Manager Luke facilitates the process of reaching an agreement with employees who wish to anticipate their annual leave.
Request for Anticipated Annual Leave
Luke receives a request from an employee, John, who wishes to anticipate a portion of his annual leave entitlement to attend his sister's wedding abroad. John submits his request in writing, outlining the dates he wishes to take as anticipated leave and providing a brief explanation of the reason for his request.
Assessment of Request
Luke assesses John's request, considering factors such as business needs, staffing requirements, and the impact of John's absence on his team and projects. She reviews the company's policy on anticipated annual leave to ensure that John's request aligns with the criteria outlined in the policy.
Discussion and Agreement
Luke schedules a meeting with John to discuss his request for anticipated annual leave in more detail. During the meeting, they explore options for accommodating John's request while minimising disruption to the business. Luke explains the process for anticipating annual leave, including any conditions or requirements that need to be met. After discussing the implications of John's anticipated leave and considering the needs of the business, Luke and John reach a mutual agreement on the dates for his anticipated annual leave. They document the agreement in writing, specifying the dates of the anticipated leave and any conditions or arrangements agreed upon, such as covering John's workload during his absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Agreement to anticipate annual leave letter template is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
