Does Holiday Count During My Notice Period?
Holiday can fall during a notice period, but it does not automatically shorten the notice period unless the employer agrees. You remain employed during approved holiday, and holiday pay should be handled through payroll.
Use the notice period calculator to estimate the normal final employment date, then check holiday separately.
Can I take holiday during my notice period?
You can ask to take holiday during your notice period, but your employer can decide whether to approve it. Citizens Advice says that if you go on paid holiday during notice, you are entitled to your usual wage.
If holiday is approved, the employee is still employed until the final employment date. The holiday days are part of the notice period, not a separate period after employment ends.
Can my employer make me use holiday during notice?
Citizens Advice says an employer can tell an employee to use holiday during notice, but they need to give notice of when to take it. If the contract does not set a different rule, Citizens Advice says the employer usually needs to give at least 2 days' notice for each day of holiday.
Employers should check the contract and holiday policy before instructing holiday during notice.
What happens to unused holiday when I leave?
When employment ends, unused accrued statutory holiday should usually be paid in final pay. Citizens Advice says this applies up to the first 28 days of holiday entitlement. Contractual holiday above that can depend on the contract.
This is why final pay should not be closed until HR and payroll agree the holiday balance.
Payroll checks for holiday during notice
Before the final pay run, employers should confirm:
- holiday taken during notice;
- holiday accrued up to the leaving date;
- holiday already taken in excess of entitlement;
- whether the contract allows deductions for overtaken holiday;
- whether unused contractual holiday is payable;
- the final payslip and P45 timing.
Workmax helps connect holiday records, HR documents, and payroll so the final pay calculation starts from the same data everyone has approved.
Related tools
- Notice period calculator
- Holiday pay calculator
- Employer leaver checklist
- HR software for UK employers
Official sources
This guide is general information for UK notice period and payroll planning. It is not legal advice. Contracts, workplace policies, settlement terms, dismissal facts, immigration status, and local circumstances can change the position.
