You were probably as shocked as me to see that UK shops started selling Easter eggs on Boxing day and whilst I refused to buy Easter eggs before valentine’s day it makes sense for business to prepare ahead of time.
This year the Easter holiday is early with Good Friday being on 30th March. This may have a direct impact on businesses whose holiday year runs from April to March in line with the tax year.
This is because the early arrival of Good Friday means that there are 9 bank holidays in this financial year instead of the usual 8. The impact will depend on the wording of the employment contract.
If an employment contract states that an employee is entitled to 20 days leave plus bank holidays they will have an extra days holiday this year. I am sure no staff will complain about that. However if your contracts state that employees are entitled to 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays there will be no changes.
That being said employers may want to remember the following things about bank holidays.
- There is no legal right for employees to have bank holidays off.
- There is no legal right to be paid time and a half, double time or any extra pay for working on a bank holiday.
- Employers can impose annual leave on staff if they have a shut down period on bank holidays.
Of course these things are all subject to previous conduct and what is written in the Employment Contract.
If you would like help with Employment Contract, managing staff, HR or any Employment Law matters contact us via our website at www.orchardemploymentlaw.co.uk/contact
In the meantime, start stocking up on Chocolate and get ready to have a Happy Easter.