As you’re aware, Monday 19 September will be a national bank holiday for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. You’ll need to consider employees’ contracts of employment to determine whether they’re entitled to the day off.
Some employees will be entitled contractually to the bank holiday (taking the decision out of your hands unless they’re happy to agree to something different). In summary, if the employee’s employment contract says their holiday entitlement is:
- Plus bank holidays – they’re entitled to the day off;
- Plus eight or usual bank holidays – they’re not entitled to the day off;
- Inclusive of bank holidays – they’re entitled to the day off but this comes out of their existing holiday entitlement because it already includes bank holidays in the calculation.
Of course, even if the contract doesn’t allow for employees to take off the bank holiday you can agree to a variation by giving them the extra day or you could offer to pay them in lieu. Any variation should be confirmed in writing.
If you need our advice or support, please get in touch.
This update is accurate on the date it was sent (12 September 2022), but may be subject to change which may or may not be notified to you. This update is not to be taken as advice and you should seek advice if anything contained within affects you or your business.
