Managing Employee Holidays in the Summer: What UK Employers Need to Know
- Sally Brandon
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 28
TL;DR – Summer Holiday Edition:
- From the Bank Holiday Magician to the Silent Strategist, we've seen every time-off trick in the book.
- We debunk 5 common myths about holiday entitlement in the UK.
- Pro Tip: Use tools like Breathe HR to ditch spreadsheets and stay compliant.
- Need help? Minerva HR makes holiday management easy—so you can enjoy your iced coffee in peace.
The Importance of Holiday Management
Summer is prime time for holiday requests. It can also lead to HR-related headaches. At Minerva HR Consulting, we’ve experienced it all. Here are the most iconic—sometimes chaotic—approaches employees take to booking time off. We'll outline what you, as a UK employer, should really know about managing annual leave.
Legendary Leave-Booking Personalities
🦉 The Bank Holiday Magician
This mastermind can turn three days into ten. With perfect calendar acrobatics, they leave everyone impressed but slightly bitter.
🦉 The Silent Strategist
No request? No calendar event? Yet somehow, they're already lounging on a beach. Office legend or HR ghost?
🦉 The Holiday Hoarder
This employee wastes no time. Their flight landed an hour ago, yet their suitcase remains under their desk. Commitment? Madness? Both.
🦉 The “I Swear I Booked That”
They possess no approval or record—just vibes and hope. It’s a risky strategy!
🦉 The “4:59 PM Friday Booker”
This employee slides in their time-off request just before the weekend. Technically within working hours, but emotionally? They have already checked out.
🦉 The “Summer Planner”
They booked their August staycation back in January. With color-coded tabs and sunscreen sorted by SPF, they are a vacation guru.
5 Holiday Myths That UK Employers Get Wrong
Myth 1: “If employees don’t use their holiday, they lose it.”
Reality: Not necessarily true. If you have not encouraged your staff to take their leave, they may legally carry it over.
Myth 2: “Holiday can’t be carried into the next year.”
Reality: Carrying over leave is allowed in specific situations, such as long-term sickness or maternity leave. Clear policies help avoid confusion.
Myth 3: “Rolled-up holiday pay is illegal.”
Reality: It isn't outright banned, but it’s not considered best practice. Paying holiday when leave is taken is the preferred approach.
Myth 4: “I control exactly when holidays happen.”
Reality: Employers can manage timings, but they must be fair and provide notice. Staff have the right to request time off.
Myth 5: “Part-time staff don’t get the same holidays.”
Reality: All workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ holiday (pro-rata). It's a legal requirement that ensures fairness.
Managing Holiday Requests Effectively
So how do you keep track of all these requests without a spreadsheet headache? Managing summer holidays (or any other holidays) manually opens you up to errors. Disputes and lost time can create chaos. That's why at Minerva HR, we recommend Breathe HR, a holiday and HR tool specifically designed for small businesses. This tool simplifies summer holiday management efficiently.
With Breathe, you can:
✅ Instantly see who’s off and when
✅ Automate holiday accrual and carry-over
✅ Let staff request and approve leave online
✅ Stay compliant with UK employment law
Want a 14-day free trial? Book a call with us!
Final Thoughts from Minerva HR
Managing summer holidays—or holidays at any time of year—isn’t just about calendars. It’s about keeping your team happy, legal, and burnout-free. At Minerva HR Consulting, we are here to assist you. From setting leave policies to choosing the right HR tools, we've got you covered.
Ready to simplify your HR?
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