Annual Leave - Worksite / PaeMahi

Find out about your minimum legal rights to annual leave.

All employees are entitled to four weeks annual leave after their first anniversary.

You can take annual leave in advance if your employer agrees.

You can have more than four weeks annual leave if your employer agrees.

If you don't take your holidays, your employer can't take them off you.

What am I entitled to?

Every employee (full and part-time) is now entitled to a minimum of four weeks paid holidays after their first year of employment. The minimum amount was raised from three weeks in the Holidays Act 2003. Find out more...

How much will I get?

All workers, of all ages, in all industries are entitled to four weeks minimum paid annual leave. It is against the law for an employer to give you less than the minimum. Note that a ‘week’ is however many days you normally work – if you work three days a week, your annual leave entitlement is 4 x 3 days.

Can I get more?

You may be able to have more than the minimum four weeks annual leave if your employer agrees, or if its already in your employment agreement.

Can my employer make me take my leave?

Your employer can make you take your leave during an annual ‘close down’ (e.g. if your workplace is closed during Xmas or for annual maintenance) but they have to give you at least 14 days notice. Find out more...

Can I take it in advance?

You may be able to take annual leave in advance if you haven't yet worked 12 months, or if you have already used up your entitlement. But only if your employer agrees. Find out more...

Can I just get the money?

If you're on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ arrangement with your employer, you can have your holiday pay added to your wages throughout the year, instead of taking leave.

What if theres a public holiday during my annual leave, or I get sick?

Where a public holiday falls within the days you're taking as annual leave, then your employer must treat that day as a public holiday and not as part of your annual leave.
If you're sick during your holiday, you'll need to discuss with your employer if the days can be taken as sick leave rather than annual leave. Find out more...

What happens if I don't take my leave?

Your annual holidays are there for you until you have taken them or they have been paid to you at the end of your employment. Your employer can't take them off you.

Menu