Booking time off is something many employees plan well in advance. But sometimes, annual leave requests get rejected, leaving employees frustrated or confused. You might wonder: is my employer allowed to refuse my holiday request—and why?
The short answer is yes, but only for valid reasons. Here’s what you need to know about the reasons for rejecting annual leave, your rights, and what you can do next.
1. Employers can reject annual leave for valid business reasons
In the UK, workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave per year. While you have the legal right to take this holiday, employers have control over when you take it.
This means they can reject requests if they have a legitimate business reason, as long as they follow proper notice requirements.
2. Common reasons for rejecting annual leave
Too many people are already off
Your employer may refuse your request if approving it would leave the business short-staffed. This is common in smaller teams or during busy periods when others have already booked time off.
Busy or critical business periods
Some industries have peak trading times or critical deadlines when staff availability is essential. Employers can refuse leave if it falls during these restricted times, such as retail during Christmas or year-end accounts in finance.
Insufficient notice given
Many employers require a minimum notice period for holiday requests—commonly 2 to 4 weeks. If you request leave at short notice, your employer can reject it because it doesn’t meet their notice policy.
Key projects or operational needs
Leave may be refused if your absence would impact an important project, event, or operational requirement. Employers are entitled to manage staffing to ensure business continuity.
Too much leave requested at once
Some employers limit how many consecutive days or weeks you can take off. If you request an extended period beyond that limit, they may reject it in line with policy.
3. Your employer must give proper notice of refusal
By law, employers must give at least as much notice to refuse your request as the length of leave you wanted to take. For example, if you requested 5 days off, they must tell you at least 5 days before the leave would start.
If they do not give enough notice, the leave may be considered approved.
4. Employers cannot reject all your annual leave
Employers cannot prevent you from taking your statutory leave entitlement (5.6 weeks per year). They can control when you take leave but must ensure you have a reasonable opportunity to use it within the leave year.
If they refuse multiple requests, they must work with you to find alternative dates.
5. Can approved leave be cancelled?
In rare situations, an employer may cancel previously approved leave if an urgent business need arises. They must provide:
- At least the same amount of notice as the leave booked
- A valid business reason
- Compensation for any financial loss (depending on circumstances)
Employers are expected to avoid cancelling leave unless absolutely necessary.
6. What can you do if your leave is rejected?
If your leave is rejected:
- Ask your manager or HR for clarification
- Check your contract or company handbook for leave policies
- Try alternative dates that meet both your needs and the business
- If you believe the refusal is unfair or discriminatory, seek advice from an employment rights adviser or ACAS
In summary
Your employer can reject annual leave requests for legitimate business reasons, such as staffing shortages, critical business periods, or insufficient notice. However, they cannot stop you from taking your statutory holiday entitlement altogether.
Planning leave early, understanding your workplace policies, and communicating with your employer can improve your chances of having your time off approved.
At Offdays.co.uk, we’re here to help you make the most of your leave—whether you’re booking your next break or navigating your workplace rights. Explore more of our articles for advice on using your annual leave wisely.