The majority of businesses in the UK observe bank holidays, giving employees a day off.
However, as this bank holiday was a last-minute addition, not all employers are on board.
Here’s the guidance for the upcoming bank holiday, including whether or not employees are entitled to the day off.
Will everyone get a day off for the Queen’s funeral?
The UK Government has made Monday September 19, the date of the Queen’s state funeral, a national bank holiday.
“This will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning,” wrote the government.
“This bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays, and there is no statutory entitlement to time off. Employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.”
As there is no statutory entitlement to time off, employees don’t have to give you the day off or a day off in lieu.
However, in the same statement about the bank holiday, the government encourages employers to “respond sensitively” to employee requests.
“The bank holiday will be a unique national moment,” it reads. “We would encourage employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off.”
To find out whether you have the day off, the best thing to do is speak to your employer.
The statement also confirms that it will not become an annual holiday and that schools will be closed on September 19.
