Assumptions and pay data
- Modernised terms in many departments: 25 days in your first year, rising to 30 after 5 years' continuous service. Some departments (Defra, for example) add a day each year; others (such as the Government Legal Department up to Grade 6) step up at 5 years, as the calculator does.
- Public holidays: 8 a year in England and Wales, plus one privilege day for the King's birthday in most departments. The calculator adds the 8 public holidays but not the privilege day.
- Full time is 37 hours a week in most departments (36 for some London staff on older terms), so a leave day is 7.4 hours and 25 days is 185 hours.
- Part-time: leave days and public holidays are pro-rated by your contracted hours against the full-time week. In hours, that is the full-time days multiplied by a fifth of your weekly hours.
Annual Leave Calculator
UK (department-delegated pay below SCS)Your department or agency (no automatic national progression)Reviewed 4/9/2026
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Guide for HEO
This guide summarises contractual annual leave for HEO under Civil Service pay structure at Civil Service. Part-time staff receive a pro-rata share based on contracted hours.
Annual leave for HEO
As HEO at Civil Service, annual leave usually follows Civil Service. A full-time employee with around three years' service might receive about 25 days (185 hours at typical full-time hours) per year, before pro-rating for part-time hours. Bank holiday treatment varies; check whether they are included in the stated total. Part-time staff receive a pro-rata share based on contracted weekly hours.
Example scenario
Example at 2 years' service, full time: 25 days plus 8 public holidays, the common civil service pattern (privilege day not included)
| Sector terms (example) | Civil Service |
|---|---|
| Years of service (example) | 2 |
| Annual leave days (example) | 25 |
| Hours (full-time example) | 185 |
Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave do civil servants get?
It depends on your department. On modernised terms many give 25 days, rising to 30 after 5 years, plus 8 public holidays and a privilege day. That is 33 days off in total at the start, before the privilege day.
Does service in another department count?
Usually, if it is continuous civil service. Defra, for example, counts continuous service in other departments towards leave. Ask HR how your department treats breaks.
How is part-time leave worked out?
In proportion to your hours. At 60% of the full-time week, 25 days becomes 15 days and the 8 public holidays become 4.8 days. In hours, multiply the full-time days by a fifth of your weekly hours.
Do I get the King's birthday privilege day?
Most departments give one privilege day a year for the King's birthday. It comes on top of annual leave and public holidays, and the calculator does not add it.
What if I joined before 2013?
You may be on older terms with more leave. Defra staff in post before 25/3/2013, for example, kept 30 days plus 1.5 days that replaced old privilege days. Check your contract or HR system.
What if I start or leave part way through the year?
Open “Pro-rate to part of the year” and enter the months in this period. Your department's leave year and rounding rules decide the exact figure.
Do you store my information?
Your calculator inputs and results stay in your browser and are not stored. We only collect your name and email if you choose to give them, for example to download your results or sign up for email updates. We store them with MailerLite, our email provider, along with the page you were on. See our privacy policy.
About this role
What is an HEO?
An HEO (Higher Executive Officer) in the Civil Service is a mid-level role: you lead projects or teams, advise on policy or operations, and work with senior staff. Entry is often via promotion from EO or direct recruitment.
Typical demands, progression and balance
HEO roles offer responsibility, variety and clear progression. Pay and job satisfaction depend on department and location. Progression to SEO and Grade 7 is common.
What is my annual leave entitlement?
Use the figures on this page for your sector’s leave rules, including pro-rata for part-time where that applies. Teachers under STPCD use directed time and school holidays instead of a separate leave pot. Always check your contract or school calendar for exact dates.
Disclaimer
Illustrative estimates, not legal or HR advice. Your contract and your employer's policy decide your actual entitlement.