Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearCan my employer refuse or cancel my annual leave?
Yes, for particular dates
Your employer can turn down a request for particular dates, or cancel leave they've approved, if they tell you at least as long beforehand as the leave itself (gov.uk adds a day: 11 days for 10 days off). They can't stop you taking your holiday at all: they must make sure you can use your full entitlement in the year.
The rules
- Notice: to refuse or cancel, they must give notice of at least the length of the leave you asked for. Your contract can set different rules.
- A reason: Acas says an employer should have a good business reason, such as being too short-staffed that week, and should think about the effect on you, especially if you've already paid for a holiday.
- Not all of it: they can say no to certain times, such as busy periods, but can't refuse to let you take your leave altogether.
- Not unfairly: refusing leave because of your sex, pregnancy or maternity could be discrimination.
If your request is refused
- Ask why, and whether nearby dates would work. The week before or after often buys the same days off: at Easter 2027 in England and Wales, booking Tue 30 Mar to Fri 2 Apr gives the same 10 days as Mon 22 to Thu 25 Mar.
- If you think it's unfair, raise it informally with your manager first, then as a formal grievance if that doesn't settle it.
- If approved leave is cancelled with too little notice, point to the rules and your contract. For advice, call Acas on 0300 123 1100.
Make a yes more likely
- Ask as soon as your leave year opens, before colleagues book the same weeks.
- Say how your work will be covered.
- Get the yes in writing before you book flights or hotels.
How to ask for annual leave, with a message you can send.
Sources
- gov.uk: Booking time off
- Acas: Asking for and taking holiday
- nidirect: Taking your holidays (Northern Ireland)
Checked on 26 October 2026. This is general information about the legal minimum in the UK, not legal advice: your contract can give you more, and can set its own rules for notice and carrying over. For help with your own situation, call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 (England, Scotland and Wales) or the Labour Relations Agency on 03300 555 300 (Northern Ireland).
More questions
Can my employer cancel holiday I've already booked and paid for?
They can cancel approved leave with the right notice, though Acas says they should consider the effect when you've already paid for a holiday. Explain what you'd lose, check your contract and talk it through before it becomes a dispute.
Can my employer refuse holiday during my notice period?
They can refuse particular dates as usual, or ask you to take your holiday before you leave. Any statutory leave you haven't taken must be paid in your final pay.