If you know that you will need more annual leave than you have in a particular year, you may be able to buy additional days. Up to an additional 5 days (pro rata if you work part-time) may be bought per annum. There is no right to buy annual leave – requests are subject to the agreement of your line manager.
This agreement will always be subject to over-riding factors such as service considerations, impact to the customer, and whether there would be a particularly negative impact on your work colleagues due to capacity within the team if you were granted additional leave.
For example, your manager may decide to refuse all requests for buying annual leave if he/she has concerns that performance standards for the team are not being met.
If the request is granted the cost will be spread over the financial year and deducted from your salary. If your working arrangements change during the year, for example you receive a pay increase; the monthly deduction will remain unchanged. Pension contributions will continue to be based on gross earnings.
To make a request you will need to complete the form, secure agreement from your BMT (SLT if you are BMT) and forward it to HR
The policy is discretionary and may be reviewed by SLT in accordance with business need subject to consultation with all the normal staff channels. You should not assume if your request have previously been granted that it will continue to be granted every year. Our services must remain responsive to business and customer need.