The Coronation of King Charles III is due to take place on 6th May this year, with a Bank Holiday planned two days later, on Monday the 8th. But despite the nation’s excitement surrounding this historic event, there are concerns about the impact this additional holiday could have on small businesses. So how can employers handle holidays during this time, ensuring a continuance of ‘businesses as normal’ wherever possible?
Which employees are entitled to time off?
Bank Holidays are somewhat of a common occurrence during April and May in the UK. With Good Friday and Easter Monday falling at the start of April and two further days either end of May, the coronation comes at a time where small businesses are already having to negotiate the challenges that come with staff taking a day off. With this in mind, it’s important to know which staff are entitled to a holiday.
Employees contracts will clearly state if they’re entitled to time off for Bank Holidays, including the coronation. Statutory holiday entitlement does not automatically increase to accommodate additional ‘one-off’ holidays, such as the new monarch’s coronation.
Who will get the day off?
Employees whose contract states that they’re entitled to 20 days.
Who won’t get the day off:
- Employees whose contract states that they’re entitled to 20 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays
- Employees whose contract states that they’re entitled to 28 days/ 5.6 weeks including bank holidays
What pay are employees entitled to for working bank holidays?
While employers don’t have to offer additional pay for employees working on a bank holiday, many will offer an increased rate, plus time off in lieu.
Offering time and a half plus a day off in lieu can often entice employees to work a bank holiday- and although it’s not an automatic entitlement, many employers do choose this option as a goodwill gesture.
What if payday falls on a bank holiday?
Pay day usually comes a little early if it happens to fall on a bank holiday. So, if an employee is normally paid on a Friday, wages will be paid the day before when it comes to the Good Friday holiday.
In some cases, employers may delay payday, but this should be confirmed ahead of time so that employees can manage their finances accordingly.