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Annual Leave and Public Holidays
Paid Time Off
Employees in the UK are entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days) of paid annual leave per year. This often comprises 20 days of vacation plus 8 public holidays. Employers may also offer more generous policies, such as 25 days of leave plus public holidays.
Note: If the 28-day entitlement includes public holidays, employees are not expected to work on those days unless otherwise stated in the employment agreement.
Public Holidays
UK public (bank) holidays typically include:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Early May bank holiday
- Spring bank holiday
- Summer bank holiday
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
These do not have to be provided as paid leave unless specified by the employer.
Sick Leave
Eligible employees receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) of £118.75 per week (as of April 2025), paid by the employer for up to 28 weeks after three consecutive sick days, known as “waiting days”.
Eligibility
To qualify, employees must:
- Have an employment contract
- Have worked under that contract
- Be sick for 4+ consecutive days
- Earn at least £123 per week
- Provide notice and proof of illness if requested (note that after 7 days, they will need to get proof of illness, i.e, a doctor's note)
Part-time workers qualify for SSP based on their regular working hours.
Parental and Family Leave
Maternity Leave
Employees may take up to 52 weeks of maternity leave, with up to 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay:
- First 6 weeks: 90% of average weekly earnings
- Next 33 weeks: £187.18/week or 90% of earnings (whichever is lower)
Paternity Leave
Eligible partners may take 1–2 weeks of paid leave at £187.18/week or 90% of earnings, whichever is lower.
Adoption Leave
Employees adopting a child may take up to 52 weeks of leave and 39 weeks of Statutory Adoption Pay on the same schedule as maternity pay.
Shared Parental Leave
Up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay can be shared between eligible parents.
Neonatal Leave (from April 6, 2025)
Parents of babies in neonatal care may take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at £187.18/week or 90% of earnings.
Parental Bereavement Leave
Employees may take up to 2 weeks of leave after the death of a child under 18 or a stillbirth after 24 weeks, paid at £187.18/week or 90% of earnings.
Pension & Retirement
Workplace Pension (Statutory)
Employers must auto-enroll eligible employees into a workplace pension. Eligibility includes:
- Age 22 to State Pension age
- Earnings of at least £10,000/year
- Working in the UK
Employees have 30 days to opt out after enrollment.
Health Benefits
National Health Service (NHS)
Healthcare is publicly funded and available at no cost at the point of use to legal residents. Coverage includes GP visits, hospital care, and emergency services.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
For those applying for visas (not applicable to Justworks employees), an IHS must be paid to access NHS services.
Supplemental Medical Coverage (Optional)
Justworks offers Bupa Select Complete coverage, 100% employer-funded. Benefits include:
- Private medical treatment
- Mental health coverage
- Cancer care
- Outpatient diagnostics and therapies
- Access to 600+ UK facilities
- Dependent coverage available
Supplemental Dental Coverage (Optional)
Justworks offers Bupa Dental Plans (Choice 3 or 4), 100% employer-paid but taxable to the employee. Coverage includes exams, x-rays, cleaning, and periodontal care.
Other Insurance Benefits
Life Insurance
Justworks offers Unum Life Insurance, paying 4x salary to beneficiaries. No medical underwriting required.
Income Protection Insurance
Unum Group Income Protection pays 75% of salary after 26 weeks of absence for up to 60 months.
Social Security Contributions
Employers and employees contribute to the National Insurance Scheme, which funds NHS services, pensions, and other state benefits.
Reimbursement Policies
HMRC regulates tax-free reimbursement rates for travel, meals, and lodging through "scale rate payments."
Disclaimer
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, legal or tax advice. If you have any legal or tax questions regarding this content or related issues, then you should consult with your professional legal or tax advisor.