Queens Bank Holiday Funeral Entitlements

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

Employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement. However, the government is encouraging employers to respond sensitively to requests from employees who wish to take time off.

This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer. There is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.

Do I have to pay employees for the queen’s funeral bank holiday ?

When an extra bank holiday is announced to mark a particular occasion, for example on the death of the Monarch (i.e. the day of the Queen's funeral), whether or not employees are entitled to an additional day's holiday will depend on the wording of the employment contract.

Employees do not have an automatic right to paid time off on a bank holiday.

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. However, if the contract states that the entitlement is to a certain number of days, and is silent on the issue of bank holidays, the employee will not be entitled to an additional day's leave. Neither will the employee be entitled to an extra day if entitlement is expressed as a certain number of days "plus eight bank holidays", or if the contract specifies which bank holidays are included.

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. Employers that ignore the additional bank holiday should be prepared for a negative reaction from their employees.

Frequently asked questions:

Will schools be closed on the day of the bank holiday?

Yes, schools will be closed, we are not asking them to remain open on the day of the bank holiday.

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

This is a matter for discussion between employers and their employees.

If an employee has to work on the day of the funeral – can they take an additional day’s holiday another day?

This is a matter for discussion between the employer and the employee.

If an employee has to work on the day of the funeral – will they be paid extra?

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

If an employee has annual leave booked for the day of the funeral – will they be able to reclaim this leave?

This is a matter for discussion between the employer and the employee.

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.

Will there be a bank holiday for the Coronation?

No decision has yet been made. A decision will be made nearer the time