Q: Can we allow a full-time employee to take 21 working days of annual leave or should it be kept to 20 days as per the normal standard? Are employees on probation permitted to take annual leave days and is there a limit?

A: Generally, the annual leave allowance for a full-time employee is 20 days only, unless more annual leave is provided for in an employment contract, modern award or enterprise agreement. However, you could choose to grant an extra day of annual leave and you could also give the extra day as unpaid leave.

Employees on probation are allowed to take annual leave days. The limit is really only the amount of annual leave they have accrued since they have been working with you.

Please note: The answer is correct at the time of publishing. Be aware that laws may change over time. Refer to Annual leave for current advice.