How do I ask my manager for annual leave?

Q: How do I ask my manager for annual leave?

Early, in writing, with exact dates. Check your allowance and your employer's process, then ask in writing as early as you can: the exact days of leave, the dates you'll be away, and how your work will be covered. Keep it short. A clear request is easier to say yes to.

Booking and asking for leave · Checked against gov.uk and Acas on 26 October 2026. Updated 26 October 2026.

Early, in writing, with exact dates

Check your allowance and your employer's process, then ask in writing as early as you can: the exact days of leave, the dates you'll be away, and how your work will be covered. Keep it short. A clear request is easier to say yes to.

Before you ask

Check what you've got left and when your leave year ends. Leave years.
Pick days that go further. Days next to a bank holiday buy the most time off: at Easter 2027, Thu 25 Mar alone gives 5 days off.
Check the team calendar for who's already off, and any blackout dates.
Use the official route if there is one (an HR system or a form), and send your manager a short message too.

A quick message (Slack, Teams or a text)

Easter 2027, England and Wales

Hi, could I book annual leave on Mon 22 Mar, Tue 23 Mar, Wed 24 Mar and Thu 25 Mar? That's 4 days, and I'd be off from Sat 20 Mar to Mon 29 Mar. Thanks!

Christmas 2027

Hi, could I book annual leave on Wed 29 Dec, Thu 30 Dec and Fri 31 Dec? That's 3 days, and I'd be off from Sat 25 Dec to Mon 3 Jan. Thanks!

That's the message the Leave Hacker planner writes for every break, with your own dates, ready to send or copy. Find your days and get the message.

A fuller email

For a longer trip, or a manager who likes detail:

Email template

Subject: Annual leave request: Mon 22 to Thu 25 Mar

Hi [name],

I'd like to book 4 days of annual leave: Mon 22 to Thu 25 Mar. With the Easter bank holidays I'd be off from Saturday 20 March and back on Tuesday 30 March.

Before I go I'll [finish / hand over] [work], and [colleague] has agreed to cover [anything urgent]. I'll leave an out-of-office with who to contact.

Could you let me know if that's OK? Thanks,
[your name]

What helps

Ask before you book. Flights booked first make a no harder for everyone.
Give the legal notice at least: twice the leave you want. How much notice.
For busy weeks, ask first. Easter, summer and Christmas go quickly; ask when the leave year opens.
If it's a no, ask what would work: the week before or after often gives the same days off. If your leave is refused.

Sources

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).