Holiday Buy Scheme
- You can apply to buy additional holiday during the annual enrolment window which opens each year in July.
- Our Holiday Buy Scheme offers you flexibility when you need more time off than normal in a particular year.
- Eligible colleagues can apply to buy up to the equivalent of two working weeks of additional holiday (10 days / 74 hours for full-time colleagues, or pro-rata equivalent for part-time colleagues). This may differ for non-standard working patterns.
- Once approved, this will add this to your holiday entitlement for the year.
- You are encouraged to discuss your intention to purchase additional holiday with your line manager ahead of submitting your application.
- Managers are encouraged to approve the first five days of any request.
How and when can I join?
|
Colleague type |
Enrolment window |
When we process your request |
Benefit effective date |
How to join |
|
Existing colleagues: Annual enrolment |
Open annually in July |
Throughout August |
1 September |
Complete the application form on MyHR by clicking ‘Join’ on the benefit page |
Our Holiday Buy Scheme offers you flexibility when you need more time off than usual in a particular year.
It could suit you if:
- You are looking to spend more time with friends or family
- You would like more time for caring responsibilities
- You are moving house
- You are getting married
- You are visiting relatives overseas
- You are thinking about a long holiday
- You would simply like more time to yourself
How the scheme works
Our Holiday Buy Scheme allows you to purchase up to two working weeks of additional annual leave, offering increased flexibility. We add the purchased holiday to your holiday entitlement for the year. The scheme operates through salary sacrifice and is subject to eligibility criteria.
The minimum amount you can purchase is equivalent to one-fifth of your contracted weekly hours.
Salary Sacrifice
The scheme operates as a 'salary sacrifice' arrangement. This means eligible colleagues will pay for extra holiday out of their pre-tax salary. This provides colleagues with savings on Income Tax and National Insurance (NI). We spread salary deductions across the 12-month holiday year.
Impact of the scheme on pension and other benefits
Taking part in the scheme may impact your pension contributions and other benefits. Before you apply to purchase additional holiday, carefully consider the impact on your:
- Pension
- Pension contributions
- Life assurance
- Other benefits
We outline these in the scheme guidance document at the bottom of this page.
Applying to the scheme
You apply to buy holiday through MyHR during the annual enrolment window, in a similar way to how you book holiday. We calculate holiday in hours, and you purchase it the same way.
You should discuss your request with your line manager before you submit your formal request for additional holiday.
Authorising your application
Once you've submitted your application, your line manager will receive a notification. They will then review your application. We ask line managers to approve requests fairly and consistently. However, there may be exceptions where we can't approve requests.
Confirmation of acceptance to the scheme
You'll receive confirmation of your acceptance to the scheme once:
- Your line manager authorises it, and
- We have determined that it meets the eligibility criteria.
We'll only commence pay deductions once you've received confirmation.
Deductions from your pay
After confirmation of acceptance to the scheme, we'll begin the monthly deductions from your September pay.
Taking your additional holiday
You'll receive written confirmation from HR that we've accepted you into the scheme. You can then request to book your additional holiday in MyHR in the same way as you would usually book holiday.
Eligibility
This benefit is available to most colleagues. Specific eligibility criteria are in place. All colleagues are responsible for checking the eligibility criteria before applying.
You can find details on the eligibility criteria for different employee groups below.
If you're unsure whether the criteria apply to you, please speak to your line manager.
Colleagues on salary scale points close to the National Minimum Wage
Colleagues on fixed-term contracts
Colleagues on skilled worker visas
Colleagues on term-time contracts
Colleagues on annualised hours and zero-hours contracts
How much will it cost me to buy any additional holiday?
The total cost is based on your hourly pay (before tax or any deductions) as of 31 July. Multiply your hourly pay by the number of hours you want to buy (for most full-time colleagues, a day is 7.4 hours) to find the total cost.
The total cost of what you buy is divided by 12 and deducted from your pay each month. You can also use the Holiday Buy calculator at the bottom of this page to work out the cost of buying extra days.
Finding the approximate* cost of buying extra holiday
Worked examples*
Wanting to apply to purchase 3 additional days of holiday (7.4 hours per day) through the Holiday Buy Scheme?
At Grade E (Spinal point 517)
Approximate total annual cost of 3 additional holiday days:
£14.12 x 22.2 = £313.52
Approximate monthly cost of 3 additional holiday days:
£313.52 ÷ 12 = £26.13*