This year marks the coronation of King Charles III and this will mean an additional bank holiday to mark the occasion.
When is the additional bank holiday?
The bank holiday will fall on Monday 8th May 2023 resulting in a longer weekend to enable celebrations to take place.
Who is entitled to the day off?
An employer should consider whether their employees are entitled to take the additional day of paid leave, whether it is on 8th May or a different date falling within the same holiday year. It will also depend on the terms of the contract of employment and what approach might have been taken in previous years, such as a royal wedding.
Where the contract of employment indicates that an employee is entitled to a specific number of days of annual leave inclusive of the (usual) bank holidays, they may not have an entitlement to an additional day’s paid leave for that extra bank holiday. However, if the contract of employment indicates that an employee is entitled to a specific number of days of annual leave as well as bank holidays and there is no reference to the number of bank holidays to be added on, there might be an entitlement to an extra day’s paid leave.
Can an employee be given an additional day’s paid leave regardless?
Employers should discuss in advance and agree with their employees whether the organisation is to close for the day, what type of leave and pay will apply if it is not to be worked and if the organisation is to remain open, the process which should be adopted by employees when requesting the day off.
Where an employee is not entitled to the additional day’s paid leave, an employer can still offer it to an employee as a gesture of goodwill. If this approach is adopted, an employer should ensure that it is clearly communicated as being discretionary and, effectively, “a one off”. We find that allowing the extra day is usually well received and promotes good morale within the workforce.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues in this blog, please contact us.
