Can I carry over holiday I’ve not been able to take due to coronavirus?

Can I carry over holiday I’ve not been able to take due to coronavirus*?

Yes, new changes introduced by the Government mean where it is not reasonably practicable for a worker to take some, or all, of the holiday to which they are entitled due to the coronavirus, they have a right to carry 4 weeks leave into the next 2 leave years.

Reasons for carrying over holiday could be because you are self-isolating or are too sick to take holiday before the end of their leave year; or that you’ve been temporarily sent home as there’s no work (‘laid off’ or ‘put on furlough’); or that your work has been too busy that you’ve had to continue working and could not take paid holiday.

The changes apply to almost all workers, including those on zero-hours, with a small number of exceptions for merchant and fishing vessels, workers who are doctors in training, the armed forces or civil protection staff and those covered by the civil aviation working time regulations. More information on the changes is available here.

Corona Virus Pay Guarantee Scheme

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme

Am I employed or self-employed?

*Nothing on our site or provided in any email response to an individual enquiry, constitutes legal advice or is intended to give rise to a legal relationship between the STUC and any individual. Specialist legal or other advice should always be sought and taken in relation to your specific circumstances. The contents of our site and/or this email are intended for general information purposes only and you should not rely on them as definitive in relation to your situation.