How long do you/can you go between annual leave?

[cheesywotsit62]

Just wondering as I’ve not had any annual leave since February. That was my last AL used up, new lot of AL hours started from April but I haven’t yet taken any as I need to wait for my holiday sheet to be processed.
So it’s a little over 3 months since I’ve had any time off work and I am feeling a bit fed up!

It got me thinking how does everyone else space out their AL? Do you find you get to an X amount of time in work before you think gah I need a holiday?!

Not even an actual holiday, just a week off loafing about the house would be great!

[Kissedbyfire1]

I went skiing in March and have been managing with the bank holidays since. I’m starting to feel like I need a proper break now, especially as so many folk are off next week for half term.

[SummerHouse]

I take some time every school holiday. So not always a full week but every 6/7 weeks. I get 32 days which is very generous I think.

Not an option if you can't afford to but I have just learned of unpaid parental leave!! Your employer is obligated to grant it but can have a say over when to meet business need. It's up to 18 weeks as child grows up, max four weeks in a year.

I think you need a break!!

[cheesywotsit62]

@Kissedbyfire1 It’s hard isn’t it! I’m also feeling increasingly frustrated seeing other people at work going off on their holidays!

[mynameiscalypso]

We take leave over Christmas, a week in June normally and a couple of weeks in August. Other than that, just bank holidays really. Maybe the odd day for a special reason but that's quite rare.

[LotsOfBalloons]

Wow 32 days! That's fantastic.

I think if you just get the standard 20 days then about every 3 months would work out right. But in reality if you need some days for school plays/sports day or a bit more in summer it would be less.

[shivawn]

My annual leave starts in April too and I get 9 weeks a year because bank holidays are added to my annual leave entitlement. I had 2 weeks off the start of March and I'm taking a week off this week. I'll have 2 weeks off again the start of July. I go on maternity leave in mid-September so I'm hoping to save the rest of my annual leave for the end of maternity leave.

[Lastqueenofscotland2]

i ended up having to really front load mine. Was away in early May and have a week off in October and none left in between. Cry

[Kyse23]

I usually just take 1-2 days a month to give me a longer weekend
Not allowed to take any in Feb or August

[JorisBonson]

I hear you OP!

DH and I both run April - March - I have a big birthday at the end of November next year and would like to go away for a week, but that's a long way from April!

[Onthegrid]

Our leave runs April to March and went away for 2 weeks at Feb half term, took an extra day at Easter to get 5 days off and now have nothing booked until the mid August when I am off for almost 3 weeks: I get 5 weeks plus bank holidays and have 2 weeks left to book just need to decide when some will be over Christmas. I usually take a long weekend in June/early July to get me from Feb to August and nothing from Sept to Dec when I will take another long weekend.

[Season0fTheWitch]

DH takes 2 days off each month for one long weekend. Then 4 days off every 3 months around a weekend. Also takes a day off to make bank holiday weekends longer, plus half days for school/kids events. He manages to get 3 weeks off in the summer hols, plus half of each half term off. He books them every year so it's set in stone, then he has a few days spare for as and when needed.

I'm not working atm but I tried to take a day off every month, plus making bank holiday weekends longer etc.

[GeraltsBathtub]

I try to take time off most months. I don’t have kids though so don’t need to save time for the school holidays. And I buy 12 days on top of my 26 day basic allowance. Turned down multiple jobs last year that paid more than this one but had less annual leave. I need my work-life balance!

[bottleofbeer]

I tend to end up with loads left over and have to use it up in March. Not good because I end up on basic pay in April because we 'earn' the decent wage with unsociable hours enhancements.

But I'm always wary of taking too much too soon, having something come up and not having any left! I can't seem to find the balance. Although they are good in the sense that if you book three days they will add rest days either side so you get a week off.

[Christmascracker0]

I’ve only had the bank holidays since Christmas and I’m def feeling it!

[Dacadactyl]

I've done just shy of 11 months without AL before now. I'm PT and don't massively feel the need for it. Only took leave when I did cos I realised I'd not taken any and would lose it otherwise.

[WetBandits]

My last AL was October, not got any booked now until July 😵 and I am feeling it!

[rookiemere]

I get a generous allowance but due to DS doing Highers haven't had a full week off since Christmas. I've had a few long weekends but the work just builds up. Off first week of June - cannot wait.

[ThreeRingCircus]

Probably every 3 to 4 months?

I normally take a week at Easter, two weeks in the summer, a few days in the October half term and a week at Christmas. I'm knackered by Christmas as usually take my two weeks off at end of July and start of August so going right up to the end of the year with just a few days off for the autumn half term always feels a bit of a slog!