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22 March is the last date to request sell back of annual leave

March 18, 2021

Colleagues have been actively encouraged to plan and take their annual leave, during the leave year, as part of maintaining their health, safety and well-being, particularly during this difficult time.

Getting adequate rest and recuperation is vitally important for the physical and mental wellbeing of all our colleagues. There is an expectation, therefore, that staff will have been able to take at least their statutory minimum leave entitlement (28 days for full-time employees).

However, given the current situation, we are aware that some permanent colleagues may have some outstanding annual leave, i.e. above their statutory minimum entitlement, which they have been unable to take due to severe service and capacity pressures during the year 2020/21.

Therefore, in these situations, and as an exception to the Trust’s existing policy, colleagues have two options:

  • Colleagues will be allowed to carry over leave to the next leave year (1 April 2021 – 1 April 2022). The maximum leave that can be carried over will be the number of days above and beyond the employees statutory minimum, this being 5.6 working weeks per year inclusive of statutory holidays (equivalent to 28 days), plus any leave carried forward from 2019/20.
  • Colleagues will be able to sell back to the Trust their annual leave on the same basis, i.e. the number of days above and beyond the employee’s statutory minimum. For example if you receive 27 days leave plus 8 bank holidays, you could opt to sell up to 7 days leave, plus any leave carried forward from 2019/20.

As above statutory leave provisions still apply, so you will still need to take at least 28 days of annual leave during 2020/21. This is important for supporting the health and well-being of staff at this challenging time. Let’s work together to make sure that all of our staff take the rest that they need. This arrangement also applies to colleagues whose leave year is different to the Trust’s financial year. Full details are in the guidance.

For further information or to apply for this scheme please click here. The request form is included at the end of the guidance.

The scheme is now open and closes on Monday 22 March. Send your completed forms to swbh.albuyback@nhs.net if you would like to make this request.