Every worker on a 5-day week is entitled to 28 days of paid annual leave. Employees (and sometimes other workers) also have statutory rights to time off for certain reasons – including public duties, trade union duties, parental responsibilities and dependant responsibilities. You cannot refuse statutory time off.

Learn more in the Business Gateway guide to giving employees time off work. It looks at the various rights to time off enjoyed by employees and other workers.

This free guide looks at providing time off for:

• information and consultation purposes
• training and job-related duties or activities
• parental reasons
• personal commitments and emergencies
• public service and judicial duties

Yes, if you are thinking about starting, or already run, a business in Scotland.

This is a free and impartial service.

Any business based in Scotland that has, or plans to recruit, employees.

Set aside 8 minutes to read the guide to giving employees time off work.

Workers do not have the statutory right to time off for personal reasons such as moving house or going to the doctor. You can grant this on a case-by-case basis or draft a written policy on discretionary leave.

Visit the Business Gateway website for more advice about giving employees time off work.