POAL

[tansorboy]

Got a letter from HR. RM are paying this year and we have to reapply for next year. Is that correct?

[rogersh]

Got the same letter & it states you have to re apply " Consider what POAL you might want for next year , As you can still apply for it".

As I recall the application had to be in by February. I can't remember if there is a form for this, but will definitely put in a request in writing.

We await a "Solution" !! for 26/27

[postmanplod2025]

how many weeks are u allowed poal? i take it u cant go over 6 weeks annual leave?

[hero22]

how many weeks are u allowed poal? i take it u cant go over 6 weeks annual leave?

Can’t go over 6 mate. U can purchase 2 weeks max i think as long as u haven’t earned more holidays through long service.

[Racingpostie]

Someone in our depo was on abut POAL and not having to pay this year... so anyone who applied basically got 2 extra weeks off for free this year is that correct with no comeback ?

[Pidleypoo]

The letter I got doesn’t really make much sense.

Says to reapply for next year but that it’s based on local agreement then goes onto say that there’ll be a new announcement next year…..

If they get rid of it , 1 , that’s the final straw for the union for me and 2, sickness will just go through the roof.

TBH I’m only about a year away from the full 6 but it’s actually piss poor all round.

[postman2014]

Someone in our depo was on abut POAL and not having to pay this year... so anyone who applied basically got 2 extra weeks off for free this year is that correct with no comeback ?

Correct 2 weeks for free! Also people who took out laptop and other gadgets also won't be paying for anything either. Lucky them lol

[yellowbelly]

Someone in our depo was on abut POAL and not having to pay this year... so anyone who applied basically got 2 extra weeks off for free this year is that correct with no comeback ?

Correct 2 weeks for free! Also people who took out laptop and other gadgets also won't be paying for anything either. Lucky them lol

Not necessarily two extra weeks, depends on your current entitlement and what you applied to purchase. On entry you're entitled to 22.5 days off (not incl. P/H). That's (on a standard 5 day week), four weeks and two and a half days. From that you can buy 2.5 extra days or 2.5 days plus another 'week' to make it up to six weeks. Blame the Government - unintended consequences and all that!

[postmanplod2025]

any word on the poal this year usually january u reapply aint heard jack, shame the union are to inept to even help the posties for this one, really need to cancel these subs as useful as a royal mail manager

[rogersh]

This reply from HR, 07/01/26, doesn't really give any further clarification. But I have emailed my line manager with a request for hours of POAL 2026/27.

Thanks for getting back to us.

You can still apply for any POAL you want via your manager but it wont show on your 2026/2027 leave card as the Business and Unions are currently in discussions on a way forward for this.

Our intention is to be able to update further in the coming weeks.

Hoping this helps with your enquiry

[BenacreNick]

Earlier this week I heard that POAL it will be available in February.

[postmanplod2025]

not much help that, union cant find a way forward for the poal poor show,

[Martin Walsh]

The Minimum wage law does not take into account salary sacrifice deductions only what is left in your gross pay after. So in theory someone can purchase extra leave, lease a car, take out home insurance and other my bundle items and use salary sacrifice and the HMRC can fine Royal Mail because after all these voluntary deductions there hourly rate is below that of a minimum wage.

This is not a case of blaming the union. It is a case of trying to get the law changed. For example if the weekly supplement which is a permanent addition to basic pay could be taken as part of your hourly rate than circa 20 thousand of those who currently use salary sacrifice could continue to do so. However the guidance from HMRC is unclear and therefore a company like Royal Mail do not want the smear of them being fined by the HMRC for paying below the national minimum wage by allowing salary sacrifice to continue where it drops individuals below the minimum wage.

This is happening in lots of other big companies who is salary sacrifice as a benefit. Remember lots of individuals have taken up the 1% pension booster on salary sacrifice which adds to the difficulties with POAL.

The purchase of annual leave will continue but for some it will not be able to be done through salary sacrifice. Instead it will be through another method of an individual paying for the additional annual leave they are purchasing.

We have further talks on this next week.

[Playmail]

walsh has finally woke up from his deep sleep nice of you to return

[Playmail]

yeah don`t blame the union lol for getting us shockingly low payrises that have brought us so close to min wage 2% this year when the min wage keeps rising at 4% every year