Extra bank holiday for royal wedding

The Government has announced that there will be an extra bank holiday on 29 April 2011 to celebrate the the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton .

Comment

Whether an employee is entitled to a paid bank holiday on 29 April 2011 will depend on the terms of their contract.

If the contract indicates that the employee is entitled to:

• The normal eight bank/public holidays (in England and Wales) - the employee will not be entitled to a paid bank holiday on 29 April 2011.  Could the employee argue that they are entitled to the extra bank holiday via custom and practice? For example, they received paid leave for the extra bank holidays to celebrate the Millennium and the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
• Paid leave on any bank/public holiday - the employee will be entitled to a paid bank holiday on 29 April 2011.

NHS employers

Pay and benefits for NHS staff (except doctors) in relation to the royal wedding will be determined at local level. Source: NHS employers.

Related legislation

• The School Teachers' Pay and Conditions (Amendment) Order 2011 [SI 2011/192].