What are you allowed to do when off sick in the UK?
Going out, travelling, booked holidays, going back early and contact from work: what the rules actually say, and where there is no rule at all.
The short answer. Being off sick means you are not fit to do your job. It does not mean staying indoors. No law stops you going out, seeing people or exercising while signed off: what you do should fit your recovery and your employer's absence policy. Statutory holiday keeps building up while you are off, and your employer can keep in touch.
Going out, exercise and everyday life
There is no list of banned activities for people on sick leave. Being signed off means a doctor has judged that you are not fit for your work right now. It says nothing about whether you can go to the shops, walk the dog, see friends or go to the gym. Pay, notes and returning to work are covered in your wider sick leave rights.
Two things decide what is sensible. The first is your recovery: heavy lifting at the gym may not suit someone off with a back injury, while for someone off with stress, getting out of the house may be part of looking after themselves. The second is your employer's absence policy, which may ask you to stay reachable or to avoid activity that could slow your return. If you are unsure, ask. If you are worried about passing an illness on to others, our page on time off work with shingles is one example.
It also helps to think about how things look. An employer who sees you doing something that seems at odds with your illness may ask about it. Being open about what your recovery involves usually heads that off.
Holiday and sick leave: the rules
Statutory rights for workers in Great Britain. Your contract may give you more holiday than the 5.6 weeks minimum.
| Situation | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Holiday while you are off sick | Statutory holiday keeps building up, however long you are off |
| Using paid holiday during sick leave | Your choice. You can ask to, but your employer cannot make you |
| Falling ill just before or during a holiday | You can take it as sick leave instead, as long as you report the sickness |
| Holiday you could not take because of sickness | Can be carried over: up to 20 of 28 days (4 weeks) on regular hours, up to 28 days for irregular-hours or part-year workers |
| Deadline for carried-over holiday | Within 18 months of the end of the leave year it came from |
| Sick pay | Taking annual leave does not break a period of sickness for SSP |
Can you go on holiday whilst on sick leave?
This question means two different things, and the answers differ.
Travelling while signed off. No law stops you going away while off sick. The sensible checks are whether the trip fits what your doctor advised, whether your employer's policy asks you to tell it first, and whether you will be well enough to travel. Telling your employer before you go is almost always better than it finding out later.
Using your paid holiday while off sick. Acas says it is up to you to ask for holiday while you are off sick, and your employer cannot force you to take holiday instead of sick leave. Some people choose to, so that the time is paid as holiday rather than as sick leave.
Signed off sick but holiday booked
If you fall ill just before or during a holiday, GOV.UK says you can take that time as sick leave instead, provided you report the sickness. The holiday days are not lost. If you would rather go ahead and count the time as holiday, that is also your choice.
Will I lose my holiday if I am off sick?
No. Almost all workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid holiday a year, and the statutory entitlement keeps building up during sick leave, however long it lasts. If sickness stops you using it, you can carry over up to 20 of your 28 days if you work regular hours, or up to 28 days if you work irregular hours or part of the year. Carried-over holiday must be used within 18 months of the end of the leave year it belongs to. Contractual holiday above the statutory minimum depends on your contract.
Calculating holiday pay when off sick
How holiday pay is worked out depends on how you are paid, and it is a separate calculation from sick pay. If the figure looks wrong, ask payroll how it was calculated, and see the Acas guidance on sick pay and holiday pay listed below. For sick pay itself, our statutory sick pay guide shows how the weekly and daily amounts are worked out.
Can you work when signed off sick?
If you feel ready, you can go back before your note ends. You do not need to see the doctor again, and there is no such thing as being signed back to work. Acas adds that you should make sure you are well enough, and that your employer should check you are not risking your health. Our page on going back before your sick note ends covers this in more detail.
If a full return is too much, a phased return lets you build up hours or duties gradually, by agreement with your employer. If you have a second job, check both employers' policies before working for either while signed off from one.
Can work contact me when off sick?
Yes. Acas says an employer can contact an employee who is off sick, and that the right amount of contact depends on the person. You and your employer should agree how often you will be in touch, how (email, phone or meetings) and who with.
For absence because of mental health, Acas says the purpose, type and level of contact should be agreed so that it is useful and not overwhelming. If calls from work are making things harder, it is reasonable to ask for contact by email, or through one named person, at agreed times. There is more on this, including welfare meetings, in can work contact me when off sick.
Evidence and advice. If you are off for more than a week, your employer can ask for evidence. A private sick note from a UK doctor is one option your employer can choose to accept. This page is general information for England, Scotland and Wales, not legal advice. For a dispute, Acas is the place to start.
Common questions
Can you go on holiday whilst on sick leave in the UK?
No law stops you travelling while you are signed off. What matters is that the trip fits your recovery and does not conflict with what the doctor advised or your employer's absence policy. Telling your employer first avoids misunderstandings.
Signed off work with stress, can I go out?
Yes. Being signed off means you are not fit for your job, not that you must stay in. A walk or seeing friends can be part of looking after yourself. Keep what you do consistent with your recovery and your employer's policy.
Can you work when signed off sick?
You can go back to work before your note ends if you feel well enough, without seeing the doctor again. Nobody needs to sign you back to work. Your employer should check you are not putting your health at risk.
Signed off sick but holiday booked: what happens?
If you are ill just before or during booked holiday, you can take it as sick leave instead and keep the holiday for later, as long as you report the sickness. You can also choose to take it as holiday if you prefer.
Will I lose my holiday if I am off sick?
No. Statutory holiday keeps building up while you are off. If you could not take it because of sickness, up to 20 days can usually be carried over, to be used within 18 months of the end of the leave year.
Can work contact me when I am off sick?
Yes, your employer can contact you. Acas says you should agree how often, how and with whom. For mental health absence, the contact should be useful and not overwhelming.
Related
Sources. The legal, pay and clinical facts on this page were checked against these primary sources on 27 October 2026. Rules and rates change, and your employer’s own policy may add to them, so check your contract or HR policy too.
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