Are you fully aware of employees legal rights to paid time off for the king's coronation bank holiday 8^th May 2023 ?

This bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays, and there is no statutory entitlement to time off.

Do I have to pay employees for the Kings coronation bank holiday ?

When an extra bank holiday is announced to mark a particular occasion, for example the Kings coronation, whether or not employees are entitled to an additional day's holiday will depend on the wording of the employment contract.

There is no statutory entitlement to time off for a bank holiday, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.

However, if the employment contract states that the employee's annual leave entitlement is a certain number of days plus bank holidays, they will be entitled to the additional day off paid.

If however, the employees contract states that the entitlement is "plus eight bank holidays", or if the contract specifies which bank holidays are included they would not be entitled to the additional bank holiday on a paid basis.

Even where employees do not have a contractual entitlement to paid time off on the additional bank holiday, employers should consider providing this as a gesture of goodwill, where possible, or providing time off in lieu if employees are required to work on that day.

Frequently asked questions:

Will schools be closed on the day of the kings coronation?

Yes, schools will be closed for the kings coronation bank holiday.

Some employment contracts ask employees to work some saturdays/bank holidays. Can these employees take this bank holiday off work?

This bank holiday is treated the same as other bank holidays and if the employees contract states they are required to work they should do so unless a prior agreement has been reached with their employer.

If an employee has to work on the kings coronation bank holiday, can they take an additional day’s holiday another day?

This is a matter for discussion between the employer and the employee and is based on the employee’s contractual entitlements and the good will of the employer.

If an employee has to work on the day of the kings coronation bank holiday, will they be paid extra?

There are no statutory rules regarding extra pay on bank holidays and is for discussion between the employee and employer.

If an employee has annual leave booked for the day of the kings coronation bank holiday, will they be able to reclaim this leave?

This is between the employer and the employee there is no legal right for this.

Will this bank holiday apply everywhere in the UK?

Yes, this bank holiday will apply in all parts of the UK.

Is this an official bank holiday, or does it have a special status?

This bank holiday is official and applies in the same way as all others.