Following the announcement of the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be held on Monday, 19th September 2022, King Charles III has announced that the day shall be an official Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom to mark the last day of the period of national mourning.
Each year there are eight usual bank holidays in England and Wales. Many people will be given a day of paid leave, additional pay or a day’s holiday in lieu on these days. However, there is no statutory requirement to be afforded a day off on a Bank Holiday or be paid for those days.
All employers are required to provide employees with a written statement of employment particulars which set out the main conditions of their employment when their employment commences, and many employers will issue a longer employment contract. Either document should set out holiday entitlement, including what happens on Bank Holidays.
Whilst some employers will include Bank Holidays within the usual holiday entitlement; others will set these out as being in addition to usual holidays. All employers are, however, required to allow 5.6 weeks of holiday, which equates to 28 days a year based on a five-day working week.
The government has stated that it will not interfere with the terms agreed in employment contracts. However, employers are encouraged to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off.
The current guidance from the Government can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bank-holiday-announced-for-her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-iis-state-funeral-on-monday-19-september
Our Employment Solicitors are on hand to offer advice at this time. To speak with an Employment Solicitor, contact our Employment team on 01457 761 320 or email enquiries@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk.
Please note that our offices will be closed on Monday, 19th September 2022.
