The new king confirmed the decree at a ceremony in London announcing the monarch to allow the British public to pay their respects and honor the queen’s reign. But who will take leave and close the schools? I find out everything you need to know about the national holiday.
Who can take leave from work?
The government has announced that the national holiday will be treated as a standard bank holiday – meaning there is no statutory right for employers to let their staff have the day off. “There is no statutory entitlement to public holiday leave, but employers can include bank holidays as part of an employee’s leave entitlement,” it said. Staff taking the day off is “a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer” and the government “cannot interfere” with existing contractual arrangements. The government added that it expected many workers to be able to take time off, saying: “The bank holiday will be a unique national moment and we will encourage employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off.” He advises those with contracts of employment that require them to work some public holidays to discuss with their employer whether they can take time off.
If you have to work during the funeral, can you take an extra day off on another day?
There are no rules for this. The government advises people to discuss this with their employer.
If the employees have work on the day of the funeral will they be paid extra?
There are no statutory rules on bank holiday pay, but employers may decide to give employees more at their discretion.
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If you have booked annual leave on the day of the funeral, will you be able to claim this leave again?
This is a matter for discussion between workers and employers, according to the government.
Will this bank holiday apply everywhere in the UK?
Yes, it applies to all parts of the UK.
Is it a public holiday or does it have a special status?
This holiday is official and applies in the same way as all others.
Was the funeral of the Queen’s father, King George VI, a national holiday?
The Queen’s father, George VI, died in his sleep at Sandringham House, Norfolk on 6 February 1952 aged 56 after failing to recover from lung surgery. The funeral of King George VI on 15 February 1952 was not a public holiday. The government said it decided to hold one at the Queen’s funeral to give as many people as possible the chance to commemorate her death and honor her reign.
Will there be a holiday for the coronation of King Charles III?
King Charles’ coronation is expected to take place in the spring or summer of next year, but no decision has yet been made on whether the day will be a bank holiday.
More about Queen Elizabeth
Will I have to take annual leave for the bank holiday?
Employees are not required to take the day of the Queen’s funeral off work as an annual holiday.
Will schools close?
Schools will be closed as part of a special bank holiday. The government said it was not “asking them to remain open on a bank holiday”.
