Have you prepared for the Coronation?

Thanks to His Majesty the King, we have an extra bank holiday this year. On Saturday 6th May, King Charles III will be crowned at Westminster Abbey along with the Queen Consort, Camilla, and the celebratory bank holiday is being held on Monday 8th May.

The announcement of an extra day off goes down well with the public. But for businesses, and especially people working in HR and payroll, there are factors to consider.

The first thing to consider is whether employees are entitled to an additional day of annual holiday entitlement.

We have had two years of additional bank holidays now. In 2022, we knew the Platinum Jubilee was providing another bank holiday on Friday 3rd June. However, we got an unexpected further bank holiday when Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away – for the funeral held on Monday 19th September.

On both of these occasions, hospitality businesses determined whether they were providing employees with the extra day, and it is the same for the King’s Coronation.

The crucial question is: what do your contracts or policies say? Do they say that holiday entitlement is inclusive of bank holidays or bank holidays are in addition to? Either way, you may choose to grant the additional day as leave as a gesture of goodwill to your employees.

The second thing to bear in mind is whether employees are contractually entitled to an enhanced rate of pay for working on a bank holiday. If they are, then as well as informing your employees you may need to let your HR and payroll systems know so they are aware they need to accommodate this.

Once those two things have been addressed, enjoy the festivities!