Extra bank holiday problems

The extra day off to celebrate the royal wedding, sandwiched between the Easter weekend and the May Day bank holiday, means that many workers will only work three days between 22 April and 2 May 2011 because there will be two successive four-day weekends.

This has led to many employers, especially smaller businesses, questioning whether or not they actually have to allow employees the day off.  Legally that depends on individual contracts, which may specify the number of bank holidays, but most workers will be given the extra public holiday and those forced to work may hold it against their employers.

Some people will have to work on the bank holiday to keep essential services going but employers should ensure that these workers are compensated.

Part time workers

The employer must ensure that a part-time employee receives his or her pro rated entitlement irrespective of whether or not they normally work on the days on which bank holidays fall.

Sickness absence

With the working week following the 2011 Easter weekend being only three days long, it is likely that many employees will take the time off on leave, or even take it off sick, extending their break to 11 days.

It is advisable to reinforce absence policies over this period to dissuade staff from taking time off if they are not really sick.