Definition
Designated public holidays in the UK, traditionally eight days per year in England and Wales. While commonly given as days off, there is no automatic legal entitlement for employees to have bank holidays off or to receive extra pay for working on them.
UK Context
The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 designates bank holidays, but employment rights around them depend on the contract of employment. Employers can require staff to work on bank holidays and include bank holidays within the statutory 28-day annual leave entitlement.
Best Practices
- Clearly state in employment contracts whether bank holidays are included in or additional to annual leave
- Ensure part-time workers are not disadvantaged in their bank holiday entitlement compared to full-time colleagues
- Consider enhanced pay or time off in lieu for employees required to work on bank holidays
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bank holidays are there in England?
England and Wales typically have eight bank holidays per year. Scotland has nine, and Northern Ireland has ten. Additional bank holidays are sometimes declared for special occasions.
Do employees have to be given bank holidays off?
No, there is no statutory right to time off on bank holidays. It depends on the employment contract. Many employers do give bank holidays as paid leave, but some sectors like retail and hospitality require staff to work.