Need More Time Off Next Year? Holiday Buyback Could Be the Answer
Struggling to strike the right balance between work and home life? Planning a special event in 2026 or simply craving more downtime? Our Holiday Buyback scheme might be just what you need.
This flexible benefit allows eligible staff to purchase up to two extra weeks of annual leave each year. It’s a salary sacrifice arrangement, meaning the cost of the additional leave is spread across your monthly pay throughout the year. For every extra week you take, you’ll give up a week’s pay—making it a manageable way to gain more time off without a big upfront cost.
Key Details:
- You can buy up to two weeks of extra annual leave.
- Payments are deducted in equal monthly instalments.
- Your existing entitlements remain unaffected.
- The deadline for 2026 applications is 30th November 2025—this ensures payroll can process everything in time for the January pay run.
Important Considerations: While Holiday Buyback is a great option for many, it’s not guaranteed for all. Not all services can accommodate Holiday Buyback, and not all requests will be approved. Managers must ensure that service delivery remains paramount and that granting additional leave does not result in extra costs to the Council—for example, through the need for temporary cover / overtime costs.
Interested? You can find the guidance and application form on Interchange or speak to your manager to get a copy and see if it’s right for you.
Don’t miss out—submit your application before the end of November and take control of your time in 2026!