News | Royal wedding - a day off for everyone?
The Government has designated Friday 29th April 2011 – the day Prince William marries Kate Middleton - as a bank holiday. This follows the Easter weekend and so makes two 4 day holidays in 2 successive weeks, as Monday 2nd May is already a public holiday. However, some businesses are refusing to allow staff to take leave and are insisting that they take a day out of their annual leave entitlement if they want a day off.
Businesses should check their employment terms and conditions carefully before the tell staff they cannot have the day off. If the employment contracts say that staff are entitled to take bank holidays, but these are named specifically, for example, new year’s day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, August Bank Holiday, Christmas day and Boxing Day, then you do not have to allow staff time off on the newly announced public holiday. However, if staff contracts simply say ‘bank holidays’ or ‘public holidays’, then you must allow them to take the day off on 29th April. Also, don’t forget that a further public holiday has been granted on 5th June next year to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and the Spring Bank Holiday has been delayed to 4th June, making another 4 day break.
The GMB Union has critisised some businesses who say they will not allow staff to take the day off. Click here for a report Royal wedding bank holiday
