Leave Year
Also known as: holiday year, annual leave year
The leave year is the 12-month period an employer uses to allocate and track annual-leave entitlement; it doesn't have to match the calendar year.
The leave year is the fixed 12-month window over which leave entitlement is granted, accrued, and reset. It might run with the calendar year (1 January–31 December), the fiscal year, or each employee's work anniversary, depending on the employer.
The leave-year start date drives when balances reset, when carry-over is calculated, and how mid-year joiners are pro-rated. Organisations with offices in different countries sometimes run different leave years per location.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the leave year have to be the calendar year?
- No. Employers can set any 12-month leave year — calendar year, financial year, or anniversary-based. The chosen start date determines when balances reset and carry-over is applied.
Related terms
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