Requirement for employee to take annual leave letter template

5 minute read • 14 December 2024
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Employment law compliance

Our requirement for employee to take annual leave letter template ensures employees use their full annual leave entitlement within a specified period to comply with legal obligations.

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Requirement for employee to take annual leave letter

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[Company name]

[Sender address]

 

[date]

[Recipient name]

[Recipient address]

 

Dear [Recipient first name],

 

Notice of required annual leave

This letter is to inform you that you are required to take annual leave from [date] to [date], amounting to [number] days. Thiis is due to [insret details, such as Christmas or Summer shutdown etc.].

This period of leave will be deducted from your annual leave entitlement and the Company’s records will be amended accordingly.

[OR}

As the end of the leave year approaches, I am writing to remind you that you have not taken your full entitlement of annual leave for the year [insert leave year]. Under UK employment legislation, it is a legal obligation for us to ensure that all employees take their full entitlement of annual leave.

In light of this, I am requiring you to take [insert number of days] days of annual leave before the end of the leave year. This requirement will help to ensure that you receive the rest and recuperation that you are entitled to and that you are refreshed and productive when you return to work.

The required period of leave will be from [insert start date] to [insert end date]. Please note that this period includes any public holidays that may occur during this time.

If you have any difficulties in taking leave during this period, please speak to your line manager to discuss alternative arrangements. However, I would strongly encourage you to take your leave during the specified period to ensure compliance with our obligations under UK employment legislation.

Please confirm in writing that you have received this letter and that you understand and will comply with the requirement to take annual leave as outlined above.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your line manager or the HR department.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of this letter, please speak to [name].

Protected before purchase.

Protected before purchase.

Yours [faithfully | sincerely],

 

 

[Sender name]

[Sender job title]

[Sender telephone]
[Sender email]

 

[For, and on behalf of [Company name] ]

What is this for?

A Requirement for Employee to Take Annual Leave Letter is a written notice from an employer instructing an employee to use part of their annual leave within a set period. This is typically used when employees haven’t taken their full leave or during company shutdowns (e.g., Christmas).

The letter specifies the amount of leave to be taken, the time frame, and any relevant restrictions. It should be issued in advance to allow the employee time to plan, and they should have the opportunity to discuss the requirement with their manager.

Employers should aim to provide notice at least double the required leave to ensure strong employee relations and compliance. 

Employers must also ensure employees take their full leave entitlement to avoid legal issues, such as carry-over or pay in lieu upon termination.

requirement for employee to take annual leave letter template
  • The Working Time Regulations 1998 require employers to provide a minimum of 28 days' paid annual leave to full-time employees (pro-rated for part-time employees).

  • Employers must ensure that employees are taking their annual leave entitlement each year, as failure to do so could result in employees being entitled to carry over some or all of their annual leave to the following year or being paid in lieu of their untaken leave upon termination of employment.

  • Employers should have a clear policy in place outlining how and when employees should take their annual leave entitlement, as well as any restrictions or requirements. This policy should be communicated to employees and easily accessible.

  • Employers cannot require employees to take annual leave during a period of sickness absence, but can offer employees the option to take annual leave instead of sick leave.

  • Employers should be mindful of potential discrimination issues when requiring employees to take annual leave, particularly if it conflicts with employees' religious or cultural practices.

  • The letter to the employee should clearly state the requirement for the employee to take annual leave and the reasons for this requirement (e.g. to ensure that the employee takes their full annual leave entitlement). It should also outline how much leave the employee is required to take, the period during which the leave must be taken, and any relevant restrictions or requirements.

  • The letter should be issued in advance to give the employee sufficient notice and opportunity to plan their leave. The notice period will depend on the length of leave required and any relevant policies or contractual terms.

  • The letter should also explain the consequences of not taking the required annual leave (e.g. potential carry over or payment in lieu upon termination of employment).

  • It is recommended to offer the employee the opportunity to discuss the requirement with their manager and raise any concerns or issues they may have.

  • The letter should be clear, concise, and professional in tone, and should be kept on file for future reference.

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