Five reasons to NOT double your holiday allowance in 2022
Doubling your holiday allowance sounds like a no brainer, doesn’t it? The hidden costs of trying to maximise your annual leave
On paper, it sounds great. Who wouldn’t want to double or even triple their holiday allowance — it’s a no brainer, isn’t it? The annual articles are making their rounds, promising a quick-fix way to double your days off in 2022, sharing how to turn 26 days of leave into 62, and highlighting the best way to stretch 18 days into 45 days off work. But have you stopped to consider the actual cost of using your annual leave in these ways?
Taking advantage of public holidays
On average, Brits get 25 days of annual leave each year. In the UK, almost all workers (including agency, zero-hours contract, and irregular hours workers) are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks paid holiday a year. For the average worker, that means at least 28 days off each year — but it’s up to your employers whether you have to work bank holidays, or have to take them as annual leave out of your yearly allowance.
While a bit of holiday hacking and planning for the year ahead may give you back more time for much-needed rest and relaxation, is it actually worth the trade-off?
The hidden costs of holiday hacking to maximise your annual leave
Planning your annual leave around bank holidays can get you a bigger chunk of time off of work. But what if you’re hoping to do something with that time? There could be some downsides you haven’t yet considered.
Booking time off during peak periods
Taking the first weekend of January off is a popular suggestion. With many companies requiring shutdown between Christmas and New Year, who wouldn’t want two weeks off using just six holiday days?
Unfortunately, with so many companies requiring shutdown over the holidays, combined with schools, colleges and universities being closed, the cost of travel can become significantly higher. When looking for a family of three to stay at Centre Parcs over New Years weekend in December 2021 compared to a stay the same length of time four weeks later, the price was almost triple.
It’s not just staycations that have a hefty price tag during half term, as well as the winter, summer, and autumn holidays. Flight prices, package holidays, Eurostar journeys, and cruises can all increase significantly in price compared to off-peak times. If you don’t have to plan your holiday around termtime, it could be worth price-comparing other dates and asking yourself if the increased cost (and business of your destination) is really worth saving a holiday day or two.
Family and friends
Taking time off to relax and recharge during peak periods isn’t just about saving time and money. Bank holiday weekends (particularly longer public holidays like Easter and Christmas) can often be a time for families to get together to spend quality time and celebrate. Which, if we’re being honest? Can be both a pro and a con.
While spending time with your family can be great, pushy relatives (and friends) may expect you to spend your time with them. Whether that’s just catching up and reconnecting, or acting as free tech support for your aging parents or grandparents, a little quality time together can be great, but too much can leave you feeling just as exhausted as a full-on week at work.
Sure, spending your holiday time to have an extra couple of days back in your hometown can be great, but don’t rule out saving that time to have some relaxing long weekends at home to yourself to really help you rest, recharge, and feel ready to face the regular challenges work (and life) can throw at you.
Everyone’s at it
It’s not just the cost that goes up during peak times. Many attractions from amusement parks and funfairs to zoos, museums, and resorts can reach full capacity. If you find yourself getting frustrated by queues on a regular weekend, it’s worth considering if the increased footfall over school and bank holidays are really worth the stress.
Some attractions may also have higher pricing during their busiest periods, due to the expectations of more demand and seasonally expected better weather. If you have your heart set on a specific attraction, experience, or even area of natural beauty, it’s worth researching the best time of year to visit — not only for special events, but to see when the sweet spot between peak and off-peak season begin.
Can payday really stretch that far?
Consider when payday falls in relation to your time off. Sure, we typically pay off extended trips and vacations weeks if not months in advance, but what if you’ve got shorter trips in mind?
According to the Bank of England, our spending in December typically goes up by an eye-watering 29%. Thanks to price increases in utilities, food and alcohol prices, not to mention the sky-high expectations we put on ourselves at Christmas to find ‘the perfect gift’ for each and every one of our loved ones, and it’s no wonder YouGov estimates the average Brit spends £1,116 each Christmas.
As many employers move our December paydays forward, that can mean stretching payday out by an extra week or more during the new year. With budgets tight and family time often rife with arguments and upset, ask yourself: is this the best time of year to make the most of my time off?
Evie is a writer, editor, and geek. In her spare time, she enjoys writing about mental health and wellbeing, motherhood, manga, and all things travel-related.
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