What is garden leave in the UK?

Garden leave (or 'gardening leave') is a period during which an employee is required to stay at home — away from the workplace, clients, and confidential information — while still being paid full salary and accruing benefits. It is used during the notice period when an employer wants to prevent a departing employee from accessing sensitive business information, poaching clients, or immediately joining a competitor.

During garden leave, your employment continues — you remain an employee, accrue holiday, and receive all contractual benefits. You are still bound by your duties of fidelity and confidentiality. Your employer must continue to pay you. You cannot be forced onto garden leave unless your contract contains an express provision for it, though most senior employment contracts do.

Garden leave is distinct from PILON: on garden leave you serve out your notice but do not work; with PILON your employment ends immediately and you receive a cash payment. Garden leave is generally more useful for employers protecting trade secrets, client relationships, or recruitment of staff; PILON is simpler administratively.