CHRISTMAS SHUTDOWN STAFF NOTICE

Before issuing: replace every bracketed field, check the contract and the applicable notice rules, and confirm each employee's scheduled working days or hours. This template is for employers in Great Britain; Northern Ireland rules can differ. Remove these preparation notes before sending.

Date issued: [DATE]
To: [EMPLOYEE NAME / TEAM]
From: [COMPANY / MANAGER]
Subject: Christmas shutdown arrangements for [YEAR]

Our workplace will close from [FIRST CLOSED DATE AND TIME] to [LAST CLOSED DATE AND TIME]. We will reopen on [DATE AND TIME].

Under [CONTRACT / POLICY REFERENCE], we are giving notice that [SPECIFIC SCHEDULED WORKING DATES OR SHIFTS] will be taken as annual leave during this closure.

Your working pattern and leave balance
- Scheduled working days or shifts affected: [DATES AND HOURS]
- Annual leave to be deducted: [NUMBER OF DAYS OR HOURS]
- Bank holidays during the closure: [DATES FOR THE RELEVANT REGION]
- How these bank holidays are treated within your allowance: [EXPLAIN THE CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT AND ANY DEDUCTIONS]
- Confirmed balance after these deductions: [DAYS OR HOURS]

We will not deduct annual leave for your rostered non-working days. Bank holidays will be accounted for once, in line with your contract and the allowance already recorded.

If your working pattern, current absence or leave balance means this arrangement needs review, contact [NAME / CONTACT DETAILS] by [DATE]. We will discuss the position with you before confirming any alternative arrangement. This notice does not automatically authorise unpaid leave or a deduction from next year's statutory allowance.

Essential cover
[STATE WHETHER ANY ROLES REQUIRE COVER, HOW STAFF WILL BE SELECTED AND WHEN INDIVIDUAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE CONFIRMED. REMOVE IF NOT APPLICABLE.]

Please check the dates and deductions above and tell [NAME] about any errors or questions. We will confirm any changes in writing.

Thank you,
[NAME]
[ROLE]

EMPLOYER CHECKLIST (REMOVE BEFORE ISSUING)
[ ] Notice complies with the contract and applicable law. For required holiday, the default period is at least twice the length of leave, with notice given before that period starts.
[ ] Closure dates, reopening date and regional bank holidays are correct.
[ ] Deductions use the individual's scheduled working pattern and consistent units.
[ ] Bank holidays are not counted twice.
[ ] Insufficient allowance, sickness/statutory leave and essential cover have been reviewed individually.
[ ] There are no unfilled placeholders in the notice being issued.

Guidance checked 15 September 2026:
https://www.gov.uk/holiday-entitlement-rights/booking-time-off
https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays