With 4 Bank Holidays within 2 months, a reminder of the rules governing them

Easter and May Bank Holidays are fast approaching. But do you have a legal obligation to give your domestic staff time off and pay them?

Just to remind you the dates are as follows:-

Good Friday – 19th April

Easter Monday – 22nd April

May Day – 6th May

Late May Bank Holiday – 27th May

Contrary to what some employers believe, you do NOT have to give staff paid leave on Bank or Public Holidays. You can choose to include them as part of their statutory annual leave. Their entitlements should be specified in their contract of employment.

So what happens when a Bank Holiday falls on a weekend? Well, when that happens, a ‘substitute’ weekday becomes a bank holiday, normally the following Monday according to the hours and days you work:

Full-time workers are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year (inclusive of bank holidays) – known as Statutory Leave Entitlement or annual leave.

Working 5 days a week

Most workers who work a 5-day week must receive at least 28 days paid annual leave per year (inclusive of bank holidays). This is the equivalent of 5.6 weeks of holiday

Working Part time:

Part-time workers get less paid holiday than full-time workers. They’re entitled to at least 5.6 weeks of paid holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) but this amounts to fewer than 28 days because they work fewer hours per week.

The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.