The Government has announced that Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a bank holiday in the UK

The Government encourages employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off, but their guidance reiterates the standard position that time off and pay for bank holidays is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employers.

Putting aside the employee relations issues around the decision on whether or not to give time off, entitlement in each case will depend on the employee’s contract.  Where employees have a contractual right to time off with pay on all ‘recognised bank holidays’ then they would have the contractual right to time off with pay on Monday 19 September.  If an employee is entitled to a premium for working on a bank holiday then this would also apply.

To see the Government’s announcement, click here