Petition · Department for Business and Trade, Department for Work and Pensions

Require employers to give annual leave equal to at least 20-25% of hours worked

Open for signatures 245 signatures

What the petition asks

We are calling for an increase in minimum level of annual leave, to be calculated as 20-25% of total hours worked, not a fixed allocation of days. This could also help people to take mental health days and encourage healthier workloads. Burnout, stress, and poor recovery are rising
Please support policy change to help protect wellbeing, retention, and public health.

Across workplaces professionals are witnessing the psychological impact of insufficient rest. Rising burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression demand urgent action. We call for increased annual leave, protected mental health days, and healthier workloads across the NHS, public, and private sectors to improve wellbeing, reduce burnout, and create a sustainable workforce.

Act to:
1. Increase UK annual leave
2 Add mental health days
3. Reduce stigma
4. Align workloads with capacity.

Timeline

28 Apr 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 245
Status Open for signatures
Department Department for Business and Trade, Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 28 Apr 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.