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As an employee working in the United Kingdom through Justworks, you’re covered by a combination of public and private programs that protect your health, income, and overall wellbeing. These benefits ensure you can access healthcare, plan for your future, and take protected time off when you’re on holiday, unwell, or caring for your family.
This series of guides explains your UK benefits and leave entitlements in clear, straightforward language, based on official UK government guidance from GOV.UK and the National Health Service (NHS).
What You’ll Find in This Series
Health, Benefits, and Pension Coverage
Learn about the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), your private Bupa medical and dental coverage, and how life insurance, income protection, and pension contributions through Justworks and Smart Pension help support your financial security.
Leave and Sick Pay
Understand your rights to annual leave, public holidays, and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) — including how leave accrues, how sick pay works, and where to find official forms and guidance.
Family and Parental Leave
Explore your entitlements to maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and parental bereavement leave — including pay details, eligibility rules, and how to apply for each type of leave.
Annual Leave
All employees in the UK are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave each year. For a full-time employee, this equals 28 days, which may include the 8 public (bank) holidays.
Your entitlement may differ depending on your employment contract. Many employers offer more generous packages or example, 25 days plus bank holidays.
How Annual Leave Works
- Leave entitlement starts from your first day of employment and accrues monthly.
- Annual leave continues to accrue during maternity, paternity, and sick leave.
- Unused leave can sometimes be carried over into the next leave year, if permitted by your employer or in certain circumstances like illness.
Public Holidays in the UK
Most employees are entitled to paid time off on public (bank) holidays, but this is not guaranteed by law — it depends on your contract.
Typical bank holidays include:
- New Year’s Day
- Good Friday and Easter Monday
- Early May Bank Holiday
- Spring Bank Holiday
- Summer Bank Holiday
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Sick Leave and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
If you’re too unwell to work, you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
SSP is the minimum sick pay required by UK law, and it ensures that you still receive income while you recover.
How SSP Works
- Paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.
- Set at £118.75 per week (as of October 2025).
- Starts after you’ve been sick for 4 consecutive days (including non-working days).
- Paid from the fourth qualifying day of sickness.
You qualify for SSP if you:
- Are classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer,
- Earn at least £125 per week (before tax), and
- Have told your employer you’re sick within their required notice period (usually within 7 days).
You may need to provide a “fit note” (medical certificate) from your GP if you’re off work for more than 7 days.
If You’re Not Eligible
If you don’t qualify for SSP — for example, because your earnings are below the minimum or you’ve already received 28 weeks — you may be able to apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) through GOV.UK.
Source: GOV.UK – Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Need Help?
If you have questions about your benefits or time-off entitlements, you can reach out to international-support@justworks.com for assistance.
For official information about statutory rights in the UK, visit the GOV.UK Employment Rights portal.
Disclaimer
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for accounting, 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.