Sickness During Annual Leave — Holiday Return Request Letter Template & Generator

If you need to request that days you were ill during annual leave are returned to your entitlement, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong sickness during annual leave — holiday return request should include, plus a free tool to generate yours.

What this letter needs to cover

• Reference EU and UK case law confirming workers who fall ill during annual leave may take leave at another time
• Attach or offer medical evidence
• Request the specific days are returned to annual leave entitlement

Your right to reclaim leave lost to sickness

If you become ill during a period of pre-booked annual leave, you're entitled to have those days reclassified as sick leave rather than annual leave, and to take the annual leave at another time — this is a well-established right, not something your employer can refuse simply because the leave was already booked and approved.

What to include before you send it

• The specific dates of annual leave affected by illness
• Medical evidence supporting the sickness, in line with your employer's normal sickness reporting requirements
• A clear request for those days to be returned to your annual leave entitlement
• A proposed timeframe for taking the returned leave

Following normal sickness notification rules still matters

You're still expected to follow your employer's usual sickness reporting process — notifying them promptly and providing appropriate evidence (self-certification or a fit note, depending on duration) — even though you happen to be on annual leave rather than at work when you fall ill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doctor's note for every day of illness during leave?
This follows your employer's normal sickness policy — typically self-certification for shorter periods and a fit note for longer ones, exactly as it would for ordinary sickness absence.

What if my employer refuses to return the days?
This is a well-established legal right stemming from case law, so a clear refusal without good reason is worth challenging further, including through a formal grievance if necessary.

See our full letter template & generator library for related letters, or use our free checkers for guidance specific to your situation.