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AIBU?

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Why is the NHS so generous with their employee leave

328 replies

Ionlywentandbloodydidit · 15/12/2025 23:03

Maybe I’m just jealous plain and simple.
I work really hard in a patient facing private sector clinical role ( not transferable to NHS) , long hours, huge amounts of stress and responsibility just like NHS workers . Four weeks holiday , no sick pay , no time off for GP, dentist appointments etc . Not just me , this is completely normal in my industry.
The NHS is on its knees , I see it every day , I’m privately employed but am also registered with NHS as a performer ( it’s complicated ) .
I have several friends who work within the NHS as nurses, midwife’s etc . They are all mostly on eight weeks holiday per annum , regularly on leave for months at a time on full pay for various reasons such as two months for a miscarriage, six months for the death of a very elderly parent or a bad back or stress etc.
They will all receive a good pension .
I’m so intrigued ( and envious I admit ) at how the NHS can be so generous with tax payers money.
Im ashamed to say I’m beginning to resent my NHS friends some of whom are quite brazen with it, especially when I also see first hand how long waiting lists are for consultations / ops for my own patients / family etc .

OP posts:
VerityUnreasonble · 22/12/2025 09:28

When my DF died suddenly in his 60s, I got 5 days of NHS compassionate leave (would have been 3 but it was extended given I needed to travel and arrange a funeral). My GP signed me off for 4 weeks. I returned to work because I didn't want to leave my team short staffed and my patients struggling. My first day back in I spent half my shift comforting 2 families who had been bereaved and the other half sobbing alone at my computer.

A colleague took much longer off for a family bereavement and I absolutely didn't begrudge it. There are lots of jobs that are vital to society but to give compassionate care you have to be able to give something of yourself (in a way I don't think you do in finance or waste collection say) and there are some points in your life where you have nothing to give. I'd rather people stayed off and recovered than not be able to offer the support patients deserve.

Considering we work for maybe 45 years or more, it's not a lot in the greater scheme of things.

FWIW - I also get 33 days holiday + BHs, and check my emails, and am contactable when on leave, including when I have been off sick, but this is because I am a bit of a workaholic as much as anything.

Toddlerteaplease · 22/12/2025 10:14

NHS doesn’t give time off for GP and dentist appointments. I had to take annual leave to have essential treatment for MS.

Fernsrus · 24/12/2025 05:48

The NHS is under attack at the moment and malicious lies are being peddled. I’d like to know who is behind it.

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