Bank Holidays have been significantly affected this year, with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic being coupled with the May Day bank holiday moving to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE day. With these additional complications in mind, we have outlined the key things you need to know about bank holidays in 2020.
In the UK, there are eight permanent bank holidays every year: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, August Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with most of these taking place on a Monday barring Good Friday and the festive dates.
What are worker’s rights for bank holidays?
There is no statutory right for employees to have bank holidays off work. They are a normal day’s holiday and considered a part of an employee’s annual leave entitlement, with any right to time off depending on a worker’s contract of employment.
If an employee is required to work on a bank holiday, there is no legal requirement for enhanced pay, and this will depend on their employment contract.
What happens if an employee is furloughed?
If an employee has been furloughed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, then it will depend on whether they would ordinarily work bank holidays. If they would, then the employer can agree that this included in their grant payment, but if it is usually taken as leave then the employer would have to either top up their pay to 100 per cent of their usual pay or give the worker a day in lieu.
What if there is an additional bank holiday in October 2020?
It was recently announced that the Government is considering the prospect of introducing an additional bank holiday in October 2020, to coincide with the half-term holiday, in a bid to boost tourism in the UK.
It’s difficult to predict whether something like this will happen, so it’s important that employers check their employment contracts, and ensure that they establish their position should an additional bank holiday be introduced for 2020.
For help and advice on matters relating to employment law, contact our expert team today.