SAR Support During the Summer Holidays: Why Organisations Struggle and How to Stay Compliant

Every year, as summer arrives and schools break up for the six-week holiday, many organisations begin to feel the pressure. But it’s not just the heat or the juggling of annual leave rotas that causes challenges. For data protection teams across the UK, summer has become known as SAR season, a time when Subject Access Requests (SARs) increase and internal resources are stretched thin.

At Data Protection People, we’ve supported hundreds of clients through this exact scenario. We’ve seen the same patterns emerge year after year: reduced staffing levels, mounting deadlines, and complex SARs that simply cannot wait. Understanding why this happens and how to prepare can make all the difference.

Why Do SARs Increase During the Summer?

There isn’t one single reason, but rather a combination of factors that converge during July and August. First, many internal data protection and HR teams are operating with skeleton staff due to holidays. This makes it harder to keep up with SARs, especially those that are more involved, such as requests from current or former employees.

At the same time, there can be a rise in employee-related SARs during the summer break. Disagreements over flexible working, disputes linked to holiday entitlements, or even longer-standing grievances can lead to individuals submitting SARs as part of broader HR issues. In the education sector, we also see a rise in parent and student SARs being submitted just before the academic year begins, adding more pressure at an already busy time.

Add to this the fact that organisations have only one calendar month to respond to a SAR, with no extension allowed unless the request is particularly complex, and the situation quickly becomes challenging.

The Risk of Delayed or Incomplete SAR Responses

Failure to meet SAR deadlines doesn’t just inconvenience the individual making the request. It can trigger complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), damage your organisation’s reputation, and even result in financial penalties. In some cases, particularly involving employees or sensitive personal data, delays can lead to legal disputes or grievances that might otherwise have been avoided with a well-handled and timely response.

It’s also important to remember that a SAR isn’t just about handing over data. You need to ensure that third-party information is carefully redacted, privileged or confidential material is properly assessed, and that the response is complete and clearly structured. This is not something that can be rushed, especially when your internal teams are already overstretched.

Why Organisations Choose Data Protection People for SAR Support

We are proud to be recognised as the leading provider of SAR support in the UK, and we currently rank #1 on Google for SAR and DSAR support services. Our experience spans all sectors, including housing, education, healthcare, charity, and private organisations of all sizes. Whether you’re facing a one-off customer request or handling an employee SAR covering 15+ years of service, our team is equipped to help.

We have a dedicated team of 25 professional redactors who work solely on SARs. This means you’ll be supported by experts who understand not just the legal obligations, but the operational and reputational risks associated with each request. Our advanced SAR processing software allows us to de-duplicate documents, carry out high-precision redactions, and manage the full review process securely and efficiently.

Our clients value our ability to step in quickly, assess their needs, and deliver a professional, compliant response, often under tight time constraints. We’re more than just a redaction service. We work alongside your internal team to manage the SAR from start to finish, offering full visibility, clear communication, and high-quality results.

We’re Here When You Need Us Most

The summer holiday period can be a perfect storm for SAR compliance issues: fewer people in the office, growing backlogs, and no let-up in legal obligations. That’s why many organisations turn to external support during this time of year.

By working with us, you can reduce the stress on your internal team, ensure deadlines are met, and protect your organisation from unnecessary risk. We also offer ongoing SAR management support, policy reviews, and tailored training to help you build resilience and improve processes moving forward.

If you’ve received a complex SAR and are unsure where to start, or if you’re already facing time pressure due to annual leave cover, get in touch. We’ll help you regain control, stay compliant, and respond with confidence.

Need Support with a SAR or DSAR?

Our team is ready to help. Whether you need end-to-end SAR handling, software to streamline your internal response process, or simply some expert guidance, we’re here to support you. Contact us today or visit our SAR Support page for more information.

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