There will be an extended winter break for 2024/25 and colleagues are encouraged to take some much needed rest time away from work.

We are giving all staff two additional days leave on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December, extending the winter break, returning on Thursday 2 January 2025. This additional entitlement will be reduced pro-rata for part time staff and will mean all those not required to work should not work on these two days.

Taking time off this winter

This year, colleagues:

• should take the 23 and 24 December, unless it is agreed with their line manager that they are required to work, and use the additional days specially granted to support the extended break,
• should, as usual, use their annual leave entitlement for the three public holidays and the three customary closure days falling between 25 December and 1 January
• Staff that are required to work on 23 and 24 December, for example Campus Safety, will be granted the two additional days (pro-rated for part-time working) for use at another time, but ideally to use for an extended break.

Part-time staff have a pro-rated leave entitlement (including for 23 and 24 December), but they will need to book less time off to enjoy the extended break. Further guidance on annual leave entitlement, including a leave calculator and FAQs, can be found on the HR webpages.

The FAQs include guidance for departments on how to manage the additional leave entitlement in FlexiLeave.