Dreaming of a getaway or some extra time to relax? Now's your chance to make it happen
Here at Essex County Council (ECC), we have the chance to buy up to five extra days of annual leave each financial year (pro rata for part-time employees).
There are two opportunities each year to take up this benefit which works through a salary sacrifice arrangement. This means you can agree to give up part of your salary in exchange for the additional holiday. The salary is exchanged before tax and national insurance are deducted.
The first opportunity to do this for the 2025/26 holiday year is from 1 to 24 March. Not sure if you need any more just yet? Don’t worry, there will be a second window of opportunity in September (1- 24 Sept).
Holiday purchased during the March window will be deducted from your salary over next 12 months (April 2025 to March 2026). Holiday purchased in September will be deducted over the six months of the 2025/26 financial year (October 2025 to-March 2026).
How to buy extra annual leave
It's crucial to start planning early.
Key steps include:
- Find out more: visit the buying more annual leave page on the intranet
- Get approval from your line manager: before purchasing additional annual leave, discuss it with your line manager and obtain their approval. Keep in mind that once you purchase extra leave it cannot be refunded. Managers can read an overview of how buying additional holiday works in the buying holiday guide
- Buy extra leave: log in to My Oracle, select 'personal information,' then 'my compensation' during the relevant period
More information
For further details and guidance visit the Buying more annual leave page on the intranet.