Leave for volunteering and personal development

How to ask for an unpaid career break for up to 5 years.

You may be able to get paid or unpaid time off for exams and study.

Taking time off to attend a job interview.

Employees can take up to 4 paid volunteer days each year.

You can ask for time off for religious observances such as festivals, prayers and fasting.

You can take time off to act as an official or stand as a candidate at an election.

Take up to 12 days paid leave per year if you volunteer as a special constable.

Taking time off for reservists training and mobilisation.

Take up to 2 weeks' paid time off a year for your on-call firefighting duties.

If you act as a chair for an employee support network, you can take paid time off to plan activities.

You can take reasonable paid time off for roles such as magistrates, school governors and trade union members.