It’s a situation many managers face — an employee avoids taking leave, rarely books time off, and rolls over holiday year after year.
It might seem like dedication, but more often than not, it’s a signal that something deeper is going on i.e burnout, workplace culture issues, or personal barriers.
While UK employment law allows employers to require staff to take annual leave (with twice the amount of notice as the length of the leave), the more meaningful first step is simpler, have a conversation.
Try to understand what’s behind the reluctance:
⛱️Some employees worry about the workload they’ll return to.
⛱️Others feel guilty leaving their teammates short.
⛱️In one case, a foreign worker had no local friends or family and preferred the structure and connection of work.
⛱️ For some, full days off feel overwhelming or unproductive.
Consider flexibility. If full days feel too disruptive, suggest starting with:
✔️ Half days
✔️ Long weekends
✔️ A day off midweek
✔️ Even a few hours to recharge
It’s not always about the length of the break, it’s about creating space to rest, reset, and protect wellbeing.
What else helps:
🎈Talk early and often about leave during 1:1s
🎈Ensure people know their time off will be covered
🎈Lead by example. Ensure you take leave too.
🎈Make it clear that taking time off is encouraged, not frowned upon.
Rested employees are healthier, more engaged, and more productive.
Have you supported someone in this position before?