  {"id":52180,"date":"2026-07-15T05:15:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T05:15:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/?p=52180"},"modified":"2026-07-15T05:15:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T05:15:27","slug":"holiday-rota-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/holiday-rota-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build a Holiday Rota That Actually Works"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull blog-template-header has-neutral-100-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--16)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div style=\"--bb--crumb-gap:.4em;\" class=\"blog-template-breadcrumb wp-block-employmentherocom2025-breadcrumb-block\"><nav role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"breadcrumb\"><ol 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blog-template-meta-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-custom-post-date has-sm-font-size\">\n    <span>Last Updated<\/span>&nbsp;<time datetime=\"2026-07-15T05:15:27+00:00\">Jul 15, 2026<\/time>\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-700);border-left-width:1px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull blog-image-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized blog-template-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/ai-in-hr-human-touch-payroll-uk-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Two female professionals smiling and collaborating over a laptop, illustrating how UK businesses can maintain the human connection in Human Resources and payroll while adopting AI.\" class=\"wp-image-50834\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:864px;height:561px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/ai-in-hr-human-touch-payroll-uk-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/ai-in-hr-human-touch-payroll-uk-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/ai-in-hr-human-touch-payroll-uk-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/ai-in-hr-human-touch-payroll-uk-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/ai-in-hr-human-touch-payroll-uk-440x248.webp 440w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/12\/ai-in-hr-human-touch-payroll-uk.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:66px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group sticky-side-panel is-vertical is-content-justification-stretch is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-11 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\" style=\"border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-200);border-bottom-width:0.1rem;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4)\"><strong>Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-single-table-content\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column content-wrapper is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\" id=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div id=\"content-wrapper\" class=\"wp-block-group content-wrapper has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4)\">\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">Every summer, the same thing happens. Multiple people request the same week. The person who manages the rota, whether that&#8217;s HR, the office manager or a line manager doing their best with a spreadsheet, ends up in the middle of a conversation nobody wants to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem isn&#8217;t usually that employees are difficult or unreasonable. It&#8217;s that there&#8217;s no rota. Or there&#8217;s a rota, but it&#8217;s not enforced consistently. Or the rules exist but nobody&#8217;s quite sure what they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide covers how to build a holiday rota that actually works: one that&#8217;s fair, clear and makes the approval process straightforward for everyone involved \u2014 and how modern time and attendance software removes the manual work from keeping it running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a holiday rota?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A holiday rota is a structured system for managing when employees can take leave, particularly during high-demand periods. It exists to solve two problems: ensuring the business maintains adequate cover at all times, and giving employees a fair and predictable way to access popular leave windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A holiday rota doesn&#8217;t mean telling people when they have to take their holidays. It means building a framework that makes decisions about competing requests consistent and transparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why most businesses need a rota template before a busy holiday period hits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For many businesses, holiday planning is reactive: requests come in, the manager tries to accommodate them and problems surface when two people&#8217;s requests conflict. By the time the manager realises there&#8217;s an issue, one of them has already mentioned flights to their family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A rota template changes this from reactive to structured. When employees know the framework upfront such as who gets first choice in which window, what the minimum staffing level is, how far in advance requests need to be submitted \u2014 fewer conflicts arise and those that do are easier to resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cipd.org\/uk\/knowledge\/factsheets\/absence-factsheet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CIPD&#8217;s absence management guidance<\/a> consistently highlights that clear leave management processes reduce both the administrative burden on managers and the number of employee disputes that reach HR. A rota template is one of the most practical implementations of that principle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The four types of holiday rota<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. First come, first served<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Requests are approved in the order they&#8217;re received. Simple and easy to administer. Works well for teams where demand is moderate and conflicts are rare. The downside: employees who plan ahead always get priority over those who don&#8217;t, which can create a pattern of unfairness over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Rotating priority rota<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year (or each season), the order of priority rotates. If Sarah got first choice of the Christmas window last year, this year it goes to the next person on the list. This feels fairer over time and is easy to track, but it requires maintaining a clear rotation record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Rota by department or team<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than managing across the whole business, each team operates its own rota. The team manager sets the minimum cover requirement and manages requests within that framework. Works well for businesses where different teams have different pressure points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Hybrid rota<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First come, first served applies for most of the year, but defined peak windows \u2014 August, December, Easter, are managed on a rotating priority basis. This is the most practical approach for most UK businesses with more than 15 employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to build your staff rota template: step by step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Define your leave year. Most UK businesses run from April to March or January to December. Decide which applies and be consistent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set your minimum staffing levels. For each team or function, define the minimum number of people needed to maintain operations. This is the rule that makes everything else work \u2014 without it, you have no basis for refusing a request.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Calculate statutory entitlements upfront. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/holiday-entitlement-rights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Full-time employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days) per year<\/a> under the Working Time Regulations 1998, including bank holidays. Part-time workers receive the same entitlement pro rata. Get these numbers right at the start of the year so there are no surprises at year-end.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify your peak windows. Map the periods where demand will be highest: school summer holidays, October half-term, Christmas and New Year, Easter. These are the windows your rota needs to actively manage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose your rota method. First come, first served, rotating priority or hybrid \u2014 document whichever you choose and share it with the team before requests open.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set submission deadlines. For peak windows, require employees to submit requests by a specific date rather than accepting them on a rolling basis. This makes the process fairer and gives you a clear moment to allocate slots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communicate the rota. Publish the rules at the start of the leave year \u2014 not when the first request comes in. Employees should know the framework before they start planning their holidays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Review it annually. What worked last year may not work this year. Review your rota template each year before the summer window opens.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What a good rota template must include<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re building your rota template in a spreadsheet, a dedicated tool or an integrated platform, the template needs to capture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Employee name and contracted hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual leave entitlement (including carry-over from the previous year if applicable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leave taken year to date, by type (annual leave, bank holidays, sick leave)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remaining balance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each requested leave period with dates, type and status (pending, approved, declined)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who approved or declined the request and when<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any blackout periods or restricted windows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimum staffing level for the relevant team<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>That last point matters more than most managers realise. A rota template that doesn&#8217;t track minimum staffing levels is just a calendar. The staffing level is what gives you the basis to say yes or no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From rota to timesheet: why they need to connect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For businesses with hourly or shift workers, the rota is only half the picture. The other half is attendance \u2014 whether employees actually worked the shifts on the rota and for how long. When the rota and the timesheet live in different systems (or when timesheets are still handwritten or entered manually), the gap between the two is where errors happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A rota tells you who should be working. Time and attendance tracking tells you who actually did, when they started and when they finished. When these two data sets are in the same system, the reconciliation step disappears \u2014 and so does the most common source of payroll discrepancies for shift-based businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UK seasonal pressure points to build into your rota<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Build these periods into your rota template before you open requests. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/bank-holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GOV.UK for the full bank holiday calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Summer (late July to early September)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest leave pressure of the year. Schools in England and Wales break in late July; Scotland breaks in late June. For teams with a significant proportion of parents, this window will absorb the majority of the year&#8217;s leave requests. Set a cap on simultaneous approvals for this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>October half-term<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A secondary peak that businesses regularly underestimate. The last week of October affects parents across most of England, Wales and Scotland, though exact dates vary by local authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Christmas and New Year<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bank holidays fall on 25 and 26 December and 1 January. Many employees request the days in between. If you have a Christmas shutdown, communicate the dates and how they&#8217;re treated against entitlement before October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Easter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Good Friday and Easter Monday are bank holidays. Schools typically break for two weeks around Easter. In 2027, Good Friday falls on 26 March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>May bank holidays<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Two bank holidays in May \u2014 the Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday) and the Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday) \u2014 combined with half-term create a cluster of leave pressure that catches businesses unprepared each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How 91爆料&#8217;s time and attendance software manages your rota automatically<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>91爆料&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/solutions\/rota-management-software\/\">rota management software<\/a> gives you everything a manual rota template provides such as entitlement tracking, conflict detection, approval workflows. It also gives what a spreadsheet can&#8217;t: real-time visibility across the whole team, automatic clash detection the moment a request would breach your minimum staffing levels and shift-cost visibility as you build the rota.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-paragraph-2-m-font-size\">For businesses with shift workers, 91爆料&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/solutions\/time-and-attendance-software\/\">time and attendance module<\/a> closes the gap between the rota and the timesheet. The Hero Time Clock app captures a photo at every clock-in and clock-out event, confirming attendance against the rota automatically. Timesheets are generated from clock data \u2014 not entered manually \u2014 and approved timesheets flow directly into payroll. When rota, attendance and payroll are in the same system, the reconciliation work disappears entirely.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/request-a-demo\/\">Book a demo<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-faq eh-faq eh-faq__bg-light\"><div class=\"eh-faq__container\"><div class=\"eh-faq__header\"><h2 class=\"eh-faq__title\">FAQs<\/h2><p class=\"eh-faq__subtitle\"><\/p><\/div><div class=\"eh-faq__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1783472248712\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1783472248712\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">What is a holiday rota?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>A holiday rota is a structured framework for managing when employees can take leave, particularly during high-demand periods. It defines the rules for submitting requests, how conflicts are resolved and what minimum staffing levels must be maintained. It exists to make leave management fair, consistent and predictable for both the business and its employees.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1783472248717\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1783472248717\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">What should a rota template include?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>A good rota template should capture each employee&#8217;s name and contracted hours, annual leave entitlement, leave taken to date by type, remaining balance, all requested leave periods with approval status, who approved or declined each request and any blackout periods. It should also reflect the minimum staffing level for the relevant team \u2014 without this, you have no basis for refusing overlapping requests.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1783472518649\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1783472518649\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">How do I manage competing holiday requests fairly?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>Choose a method \u2014 first come, first served, rotating priority or a hybrid \u2014 document it clearly and apply it consistently. For peak windows, set a submission deadline and allocate slots at a single point rather than on a rolling basis. Keep a record of decisions so you have an audit trail if a request is ever questioned.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1783473002983\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1783473002983\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">Can I refuse a holiday request in the UK?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p>Yes. Under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/uksi\/1998\/1833\/contents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Working Time Regulations 1998<\/a>, employers can refuse a leave request by giving notice equal to the length of the leave being refused. Refusal must be applied consistently. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/2025\/36\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Employment Rights Act 2025<\/a> has raised compliance expectations \u2014 a documented rota policy that&#8217;s consistently applied is your best protection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-employmentherocom2025-simple-accordion eh-simple-accordion\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"accordion-1783473022131\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__checkbox\"\/><label for=\"accordion-1783473022131\" class=\"eh-simple-accordion__header\"><h3 class=\"eh-simple-accordion__title\">What is the difference between rota management and time and attendance software?<\/h3><span class=\"eh-simple-accordion__icon\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M10.3966 3.60341C10.3966 2.71788 11.1145 2 12 2C12.8855 2 13.6034 2.71788 13.6034 3.60341V10.3966H20.3966C21.2822 10.3966 22 11.1145 22 12C22 12.8856 21.2822 13.6034 20.3966 13.6034H13.6034V20.3966C13.6034 21.2822 12.8855 22 12 22C11.1145 22 10.3966 21.2822 10.3966 20.3966V13.6034H3.6034C2.71786 13.6034 2 12.8856 2 12C2 11.1145 2.71786 10.3966 3.6034 10.3966H10.3966V3.60341Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/label><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__content\"><div class=\"eh-simple-accordion__inner\">\n<p class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-76abc263f3793f0cfb570db345c4787c\">Rota management software handles scheduling \u2014 who is working when, how many people are needed, how leave slots are allocated and approved. <a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/solutions\/time-and-attendance-software\/\">Time and attendance software<\/a> tracks actual attendance against the rota: clock-in and clock-out times, verified presence, timesheet generation and payroll integration. 91爆料 combines both in the same platform, so the rota and the timesheet stay in sync automatically.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What is a holiday rota?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>A holiday rota is a structured framework for managing when employees can take leave, particularly during high-demand periods. It defines the rules for submitting requests, how conflicts are resolved and what minimum staffing levels must be maintained. It exists to make leave management fair, consistent and predictable for both the business and its employees.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What should a rota template include?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>A good rota template should capture each employee's name and contracted hours, annual leave entitlement, leave taken to date by type, remaining balance, all requested leave periods with approval status, who approved or declined each request and any blackout periods. It should also reflect the minimum staffing level for the relevant team \\u2014 without this, you have no basis for refusing overlapping requests.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"How do I manage competing holiday requests fairly?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>Choose a method \\u2014 first come, first served, rotating priority or a hybrid \\u2014 document it clearly and apply it consistently. For peak windows, set a submission deadline and allocate slots at a single point rather than on a rolling basis. Keep a record of decisions so you have an audit trail if a request is ever questioned.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Can I refuse a holiday request in the UK?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>Yes. Under the <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/uksi\/1998\/1833\/contents\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Working Time Regulations 1998<\/a>, employers can refuse a leave request by giving notice equal to the length of the leave being refused. Refusal must be applied consistently. The <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/2025\/36\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noreferrer noopener\\\">Employment Rights Act 2025<\/a> has raised compliance expectations \\u2014 a documented rota policy that's consistently applied is your best protection.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What is the difference between rota management and time and attendance software?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"<p>Rota management software handles scheduling \\u2014 who is working when, how many people are needed, how leave slots are allocated and approved. <a href=\\\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/solutions\/time-and-attendance-software\/\\\">Time and attendance software<\/a> tracks actual attendance against the rota: clock-in and clock-out times, verified presence, timesheet generation and payroll integration. 91爆料 combines both in the same platform, so the rota and the timesheet stay in sync automatically.<\/p>\"\n            }\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>\n\n\n<p class=\"disclaimer has-neutral-500-color has-text-color has-link-color has-paragraph-4-xs-font-size wp-elements-c1721b8821d11f05534254f15dfe869f\"><em><em>Disclaimer: The information in this article is current as at June 2026, and has been prepared by 91爆料 Pty Ltd (ABN 11 160 047 709) and its affiliates (91爆料). The views expressed in this article are general information only, are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees, and should not be relied on as professional advice. Some information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. 91爆料 does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data and is not liable for any loss or damages arising directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this article. You should undertake your own research and seek professional advice before making any decisions or relying on the information in this article.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\n#content-wrapper a,\n#content-wrapper p:not(.disclaimer),\n#content-wrapper ol,\n#content-wrapper ul {\n  font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--paragraph-2-m) !important;\n}\n\n\n.content-wrapper li > ul li {padding-bottom:0.75rem!important;}\n.content-wrapper li:last-child > ul li {padding-bottom:0!important;}\n.eh-faq__container {flex-direction:column!important;}\n@media screen and (min-width: 1441px) {\n    .eh-faq__content {\n       max-width: 904px!important;\n        min-width: 831px!important;\n    }\n}\n<\/style>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-13 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-link-arrow is-style-link-arrow--3\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-btn-brand-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/businesses\/\">View all<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query blog-3-col-query-loop is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"columns-3 alignfull wp-block-post-template is-layout-grid wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-1 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-grid\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-52766 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry resource-type-guides-and-playbooks\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-neutral-100-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-16 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:1px;min-height:100%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:auto; padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/onboarding\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1728\" height=\"1014\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail.webp\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Employer Playbook: What is onboarding?\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:fill;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail.webp 1728w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-300x176.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-1024x601.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-768x451.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-1536x901.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-864x508.webp 864w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Onboarding_Thumbnail-440x258.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1728px) 100vw, 1728px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-15 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-14 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" class=\"taxonomy-resource-type eh-resource-type wp-block-post-terms\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-post-terms-icon\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"icon-blog\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/Blog.png\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/guides-and-playbooks\/\" rel=\"tag\">Guides and Playbooks<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/onboarding\/\" target=\"_self\" >Employer Playbook: What is onboarding?<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-2\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Real onboarding starts at offer acceptance, spans 90 days and is the #1 source of HR errors. Here&#8217;s how to&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-elements-9dfcbcb7662772ecb2d671e8976a6c51 wp-block-read-more has-text-color has-violet-500-color\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/onboarding\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Employer Playbook: What is onboarding?<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/onboarding\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"group-block-link\"><\/a>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-52660 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorised resource-type-blog topic-business-basics\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-neutral-100-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:1px;min-height:100%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:auto; padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/pay-transparency-smes\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/colleagues-collaborating-on-laptop-in-office-lounge.webp\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"The UK&#8217;s pay transparency plans need to work for small businesses too\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:fill;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/colleagues-collaborating-on-laptop-in-office-lounge.webp 1600w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/colleagues-collaborating-on-laptop-in-office-lounge-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/colleagues-collaborating-on-laptop-in-office-lounge-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/colleagues-collaborating-on-laptop-in-office-lounge-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/colleagues-collaborating-on-laptop-in-office-lounge-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/colleagues-collaborating-on-laptop-in-office-lounge-440x248.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-18 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-17 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" class=\"taxonomy-resource-type eh-resource-type wp-block-post-terms\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-post-terms-icon\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"icon-blog\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/David_Holland.jpg\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Blogs<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/pay-transparency-smes\/\" target=\"_self\" >The UK&#8217;s pay transparency plans need to work for small businesses too<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-4\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">The UK&#8217;s pay transparency plans could force salary disclosure in every job advert across England, Wales and Scotland. Learn what&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-elements-9dfcbcb7662772ecb2d671e8976a6c51 wp-block-read-more has-text-color has-violet-500-color\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/pay-transparency-smes\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: The UK&#8217;s pay transparency plans need to work for small businesses too<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/pay-transparency-smes\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"group-block-link\"><\/a>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-52535 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized resource-type-blog\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-neutral-100-border-color has-white-background-color has-background is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-22 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:1px;min-height:100%\"><figure style=\"aspect-ratio:auto; padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/employer-of-record-pricing\/\" target=\"_self\"  ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/unnamed-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Employer of Record Pricing: How Much Does an EOR Cost in 2026?\u00a0\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:fill;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/unnamed-1.webp 1600w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/unnamed-1-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/unnamed-1-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/unnamed-1-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/unnamed-1-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/unnamed-1-440x248.webp 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-21 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-20 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" class=\"taxonomy-resource-type eh-resource-type wp-block-post-terms\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-post-terms-icon\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"icon-blog\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/David_Holland.jpg\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/resources\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Blogs<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/employer-of-record-pricing\/\" target=\"_self\" >Employer of Record Pricing: How Much Does an EOR Cost in 2026?\u00a0<\/a><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-6\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">Wondering what an EOR actually costs in 2026? Break down Employer of Record pricing models, average fees and what to&hellip; <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<a style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-elements-9dfcbcb7662772ecb2d671e8976a6c51 wp-block-read-more has-text-color has-violet-500-color\" href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/employer-of-record-pricing\/\" target=\"_self\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">: Employer of Record Pricing: How Much Does an EOR Cost in 2026?\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/blog\/employer-of-record-pricing\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"group-block-link\"><\/a>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Build a holiday rota that avoids clashes and keeps cover fair. Get the step-by-step template and automate it with rota software. Get the guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":430,"featured_media":50834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_visual_mode":"business","_lite_auth_enabled":false,"_lite_auth_trigger_method":"scroll","_lite_auth_scroll_percent":25,"_lite_auth_click_element_query":"","exclude_from_algolia":false,"reading_time":"7 min read","display_reading_time":false,"download_content_type":"","download_file":"","download_url":"","download_cta_label":"","homepage_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[287],"tags":[],"resource-type":[157],"topic":[],"learn_topic":[],"industry":[],"audience":[],"business-size":[],"product-tag":[],"funnel-stage":[],"region":[],"pain-point":[],"persona":[],"content_type":[],"post_features":[],"class_list":["post-52180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","resource-type-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/430"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52180"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52212,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52180\/revisions\/52212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"resource-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-type?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"learn_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/learn_topic?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/audience?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"business-size","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/business-size?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"product-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product-tag?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"funnel-stage","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/funnel-stage?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"pain-point","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pain-point?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"content_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_type?post=52180"},{"taxonomy":"post_features","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_features?post=52180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}