We've all heard the saying about "all work and no play" and even those who love our jobs need to take a break now and again.
With a fresh new year in front of us, many people will be given a brand new batch of annual leave. And with the winter weather still likely to be here for months, some of us are likely thinking about trips abroad, or other ways to switch off.
Some people will use their accrued time off to go away with family, others may chill out with friends, or even enjoy some alone time.
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And by using a few tricks, savvy employees could bag a huge 55 days off this year, using just 25 days of annual leave. Similar hacks have been on offer in previous years, and it all comes down to bank holidays.
Sadly for some it only applies to people who don't work weekends, and are given bank holidays off as standard – or do not have to take them as a holiday.
Here's how to get 55 days off with 25 days of holiday:
January: Saturday, December 30 2023 to Sunday, January 7, 2024
Extend your New Year celebrations by booking 4 days (Tuesday, January 2 – Friday, January 5) off at the start of the year for a total of 9 days off.
Easter: Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, April 7
With Good Friday falling on the 29 March next year, you can enjoy a long Easter break of 16 days by only booking 8 days (Monday, March 25 – Thursday, March 28 and Tuesday, April 2 – Friday, April 5) off.
May: Saturday, May 4 to Sunday, May 12 or Saturday, May 25 to Sunday, June 2
Thanks to the two bank holidays in May, there are two ways for you to enjoy 9 days off in a row by only using 4 days of annual leave. You can either book off Tuesday to Thursday May 7-11 or Tuesday to Thursday May 28-31 to get the full nine days.
August: Saturday, August 24 to Sunday, September 1
You can book 4 days off in August (Tuesday, August 27 – Friday, August 30) to gain 9 days off for a summer holiday.
December: Saturday 21 December, to Tuesday, January 1
To end the year and enjoy the festive period with family and friends, you can book 5 days off (December 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31) to gain a total of 12 days off.
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