Garden leave and release from duties

Home / Related advice

Release from duties does not itself terminate the contract. The employer must consider whether the employee is entitled to continued work and whether release is supported by agreement or another sufficient basis.

What needs checking

Specify whether release is paid, revocable or irrevocable, and how holiday and time credits are treated. Not every release validly fulfils holiday entitlements. Address confidentiality, secondary work, equipment and access to company systems.

Practical next steps

An exit agreement should coordinate release with handover, bonus treatment, sickness and the termination date. Avoid an informal instruction that leaves both parties uncertain about pay and remaining obligations.

Prepare for the review

Send the relevant contract or policy, a short chronology, the correspondence and any document showing a deadline. Explain the outcome you need and any steps already taken.

Read the full topic guide and legal sources · All services

Updated: 8 November 2026.