A recent survey from Timetastic reveals that over half of UK workers (61%) failed to use all their annual leave in 2023. This figure, equating to roughly 20 million employees, suggests a prevailing reluctance or inability among workers to take full advantage of their holiday entitlement.

The question remains: why are so many struggling to use their leave, and what does this say about the broader UK work culture?

Despite the high percentage of unused leave, the trend is gradually improving. In 2023, 31% of workers managed to use their full allowance, up from 29% in 2022. Notably, women led this increase, with 34% taking all their leave compared to 29% of men. Nearly 45% of employees aged 45–54 also ensured they used every day of leave, with workers in Plymouth, Brighton, and Edinburgh among the most diligent in making use of their time off.

Unfortunately, not everyone abstains from taking leave by choice. Some feel pressured by employers to stay on the job. This trend is particularly apparent among men, with 9% reporting management pressure to avoid taking time off, compared to 6% of women. Young workers aged 25–34 are most affected, with 17% citing workplace pressure to forgo holiday time. Toxic workplace cultures appear to be more prevalent in Sheffield, London, and Manchester, where high workloads and staff shortages discourage employees from stepping away.

Despite the cost of living crisis, more UK workers are prioritising their time off over extra income. The percentage of employees choosing to sell annual leave dropped to 12% in 2023 from 14% the previous year, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of taking breaks. However, gender differences persist—men are more likely than women to exchange leave for money, with 15% of men opting to sell leave compared to 10% of women. Younger workers aged 16–34 are particularly inclined to prefer cash over holiday time.

The survey also noted a 7% increase in employees taking bereavement or compassionate leave in 2023, suggesting a heightened awareness of the need for time off during personal hardship. Adoption leave, however, remains rare, with fewer than 0.05% of employees taking it last year, likely reflecting both low adoption rates in the UK and limited uptake of available policies.

Paternity leave usage also remains limited, with fathers averaging just 16.5 days, down from the previous year. Maternity leave saw a slight decline as well, with mothers averaging between 10 and 11 weeks in 2023, compared to 11 weeks in 2022, pointing to potential financial pressures pushing new mothers back to work sooner.

Looking ahead, Timetastic’s data shows that Mondays and Fridays are consistently the most popular days for extending weekends. The period between Christmas and New Year remains the peak time for holiday bookings, with 27th December emerging as the most requested day in 2023. Early bookings are recommended for those looking to take time off on Friday, 27th December, and Monday, 30th December, as demand is expected to remain high. For a quieter period, early 2025 – such as Friday, 10th January, or Monday, 13th January – may provide a more relaxed start to the year.

Timetastic’s managing director, Oliver Higenbottam, said: “If there’s one thing this data shows, it’s that employees have a way to go to make the most of their annual leave allowance. Taking a break isn’t just a ‘nice to have’ – it’s crucial for health, well-being, and overall productivity. Workplaces must actively encourage it and make the effort to ensure their employees feel like they can take a well-deserved break.”