Funeral bank holiday rules – do employees get a day off?
Monday 19 September has been declared a national bank holiday in order to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral. The day will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations to pay their respects to the late queen and commemorate her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.
The bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays, meaning there is no statutory entitlement to time off. Employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.
A Government spokesman said:
"The bank holiday will be a unique national moment, and we would encourage employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off."
Individuals do not necessarily have the right to a day off work and is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer. There is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement. The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers but expects that many workers will be able to take the day off and for employers to “respond sensitively” to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work. Employees who have to work on the day may be entitled to a day off in lieu or additional pay, but this is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer.
This bank holiday will apply in all parts of the UK and schools will be closed.
No decision has yet been made regarding arrangements for a bank holiday on the occasion of the Coronation and there are currently no plans for an annual holiday to mark the date of the state funeral.
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