[UK] Annual leave is a dealbreaker for 41% of employees

New research has revealed that UK workers take work-life balance so seriously that 41 per cent would quit their job altogether if a holiday request were denied, Metro reports.

Hilton’s 2026 Travel Trends Report also found that 46 per cent of employees would even take a pay cut in exchange for unlimited annual leave.

According to the report, 39 per cent have already taken unpaid leave at some point in their career to travel.

The UK’s workers prioritised their downtime significantly more than the 14 other countries surveyed; 46 per cent of Brits reportedly have at least one trip booked for the next 12 months.

Jim Moore - employee relations expert at HR consultants Hamilton Nash - told Metro that it is unsurprising to see employees value their holiday break so highly, since it’s a chance to unwind and avoid burnout.

“It’s also important for keeping workers fresh and motivated, because tired and over-stressed employees can’t perform at their best, which is bad for them and for the business,” Mr Moore said.

“More than that, it’s a statutory right under the Working Time Regulations 1998.”

Source: Metro

(Quotes via original reporting)

New research has revealed that UK workers take work-life balance so seriously that 41 per cent would quit their job altogether if a holiday request were denied, Metro reports.

Hilton’s 2026 Travel Trends Report also found that 46 per cent of employees would even take a pay cut in exchange for unlimited annual leave.

According to the report, 39 per cent have already taken unpaid leave at some point in their career to travel.

The UK’s workers prioritised their downtime significantly more than the 14 other countries surveyed; 46 per cent of Brits reportedly have at least one trip booked for the next 12 months.

Jim Moore - employee relations expert at HR consultants Hamilton Nash - told Metro that it is unsurprising to see employees value their holiday break so highly, since it’s a chance to unwind and avoid burnout.

“It’s also important for keeping workers fresh and motivated, because tired and over-stressed employees can’t perform at their best, which is bad for them and for the business,” Mr Moore said.

“More than that, it’s a statutory right under the Working Time Regulations 1998.”

Source: Metro

(Quotes via original reporting)