Half of Kildare Employees Fail To Use All Their Annual Leave, New Report Reveals

The breakdown further reveals that 14% had four days unused, 27% had three days remaining, 10% left two days untouched, and 11% did not take their final day of leave.

Half of of workers in Kildare (49%) didn't use all their annual leave last year, according to a recent study by FRS Recruitment.

The figure is higher than the national average of 42%, highlighting a significant trend of untapped holiday entitlements in the county.

The FRS Recruitment Annual Leave Report sheds light on the extent of unused leave among Kildare employees.

22% of respondents reported that they didn’t take at least five days of their allocated leave - a full working week left on the table.

The breakdown further reveals that 14% had four days unused, 27% had three days remaining, 10% left two days untouched, and 11% did not take their final day of leave.

Beyond these figures, the report delves into how Kildare residents utilised their holidays last year.

Over half (56%) of respondents used their leave for foreign travel, while 38% opted for domestic trips.

Other reasons for taking leave included family commitments (5%), personal matters (3%), and illness (3%).

Interestingly, for a quarter of Kildare employees, the longest holiday they took in 2023 was less than a week.

A third (35%) managed to take a full week off, while 37% enjoyed a two-week break.

However, only a small fraction (3%) took a holiday lasting longer than two weeks.

The report also explores workplace policies around annual leave.

Two in five employees (41%) in Kildare must give their employer at least two weeks' notice before taking time off, while nearly half (47%) are required to provide a month's notice.

A minority (8%) only need to notify their employer a week or less in advance.

When it comes to unused leave, the report shows that 35% of Kildare workers can carry it over into the following year, and 25% receive payment in lieu.

However, 31% lose their unused leave entirely if not taken within the year.

The study also looked at other types of leave taken in Kildare.

Nearly 28% of employees took sick leave last year, 21% took care leave, 20% went on maternity or paternity leave, 2% took study leave, and 1% took leave due to bereavement.

In terms of workplace preferences, the report found that a majority of Kildare workers (51%) would support the introduction of unlimited leave, and 55% would favor a four-day workweek - even if it meant a reduction in salary.

Lynne McCormack, General Manager of FRS Recruitment, emphasised the importance of understanding how employees use their leave, stating, “Holidays and annual leave are crucial for both employees and employers in Kildare. This research offers valuable insights into how leave is managed and the policies surrounding it in the workplace.”