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21% of workers leave holiday days unused – Timetastic

Men were slightly more likely than women to skip their leave, with 21.3% of men saying they wouldn’t take it all compared to 20.1% of women.

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21% of workers leave holiday days unused – Timetastic
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The 2026 Annual Leave Report from Timetastic revealed that 21% of Brits did not take their full annual leave from work. 

Over a quarter (28%) had about one to five days of holiday left unclaimed. 

11% felt pressure not to take leave, citing workload and guilt as the main reasons. 

When breaks were left too long, nearly half (45%) believed this negatively impacted their mental health, with all respondents agreeing that their stress increased when they didn’t take time off. 

The majority (89%) admitted their mental health improved when they did.

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About 78% said they would use all their leave, but roughly 21% would not. 

Men were slightly more likely than women to skip their leave, with 21.3% of men saying they wouldn’t take it all compared to 20.1% of women.

Looking at age groups, the youngest workers (18-24) were most diligent, with 82% taking all their leave. 

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Older workers, however, were less likely to do so. 

79% of those aged 55 and over took all their leave, compared to 82% of 18-24-year-olds. 

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Sarah Crammond, service and support at Timetastic, said: “While senior leaders may have more control over their schedules, those entering the workforce today are navigating a culture where ‘always-on’ availability is often mistaken for commitment.

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“It suggests that while younger workers value their wellbeing, they may still feel the weight of traditional work ethics that prioritise ‘grind’ over recovery.”

The main barrier to taking leave was allowance and carry-over issues, which 39.6% cited. 

Workload and timing issues followed, with 21.3% saying these prevented them from taking leave. 

Other reasons included no need or personal choice (1.7%). 

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Regarding leave left unused, 18% of workers had zero days remaining, but 26% had more than 15 days left, almost two weeks of unclaimed rest. 

Nearly 26% had between 16 and 20 days left. 

When asked, 89% of those who left long gaps reported negative impacts on their performance and mental health, with all agreeing that waiting too long to take leave increased their stress. 

Women reported feeling these effects more acutely, with 78.9% citing stress compared to 77.9% of men.

A quarter of the workforce (24.7%) waited over six months to take leave. 

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This prolonged gap was linked to increased stress and reduced wellbeing. 

Crammond said: “It’s vital for managers to remember that they can’t pour from an empty cup. 

“When a leader is stressed and skipping breaks, that tension filters down, creating a culture where the rest of the team feels guilty for resting.

“It’s vital for managers to remember that they can’t pour from an empty cup.”

She said: “When a leader is stressed and skipping breaks, that tension filters down, creating a culture where the rest of the team feels guilty for resting.

“Managing the load in 2026 is about proactive planning and transparent workloading. 

“Using staff planners early on helps prevent holiday logjams, and making it clear that non-essential tasks can be paused during absences removes the fear of work piling up. 

“Lead by example and talk about your own holidays to normalise taking time off.”

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