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Holiday Entitlement When Starting a New Job Mid-Year
Started a new job part-way through the holiday year? Here is how your holiday entitlement is calculated — and what to check in your contract.
How mid-year entitlement works
If you start a new job part-way through your employer's holiday year, your entitlement is pro-rated for the portion of the leave year remaining.
Formula: (Days remaining in leave year ÷ 365) × 28 days
Example: Start 1 July with Jan–Dec leave year → (184 ÷ 365) × 28 = 14.1 days
The accrual method
Holiday entitlement accrues at roughly 2.33 days per month for a full-time worker. Your employer may restrict you to taking only what you have accrued so far — not your full annualised figure.
Does the leave year matter?
Yes. Your employer's leave year may run April–March, January–December, or on your start anniversary. Check your contract to confirm.
What about bank holidays mid-year?
If your contract includes bank holidays, only those falling within your remaining period count toward your pro-rated total. Starting July means roughly 4 bank holidays (July–December).
Check your contract
Some employers offer enhanced terms for mid-year starters. Always check your contract or ask HR. If nothing is specified, the statutory pro-rata calculation applies.