Bank Holidays
Bank holidays are public holidays in the UK when most businesses and schools close, though employees have no automatic right to time off on these days.
leave-types
Category
beginner
Difficulty
4 min read
Read time
2025-01-15
Updated
Definition
Short definition
Bank holidays are public holidays in the UK when most businesses and schools close, though employees have no automatic right to time off on these days.
Detailed explanation
Bank holidays are designated public holidays in the UK, traditionally days when banks were closed. There are typically 8 bank holidays in England and Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland having some different days.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no automatic statutory right to time off on bank holidays. Whether employees get bank holidays off depends on their employment contract. However, many employers include bank holidays as part of the annual leave entitlement.
When bank holidays are included in annual leave, the statutory minimum of 28 days (for full-time workers) can include these 8 days. Some employers offer bank holidays on top of annual leave as an additional benefit.
Practical guidance
How it works
Employers decide whether to close on bank holidays and how they affect employee leave. This should be clearly stated in employment contracts. Part-time workers receive pro-rata bank holiday entitlement.
Best practices
Clearly state bank holiday policy in contracts
Communicate annual holiday schedule
Handle part-time calculations fairly
Legal context
Legal basis
Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971
Jurisdiction: UK
Key provisions
No automatic right to bank holidays off
Can be included in 28-day statutory minimum
Different holidays in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Extra day for monarch events (e.g., coronation)
Official source
Frequently asked questions
Am I entitled to bank holidays off?
There is no automatic right to bank holidays off in the UK. Your entitlement depends on your employment contract. Check whether your contract states bank holidays are in addition to, or included within, your annual leave.
Related glossary terms
Annual Leave
Annual leave is paid time off from work that employees are entitled to take each year for rest, relaxation, and personal activities.
Pro-Rata
Pro-rata means calculating entitlements proportionally based on hours worked or time employed, commonly used for part-time employees or mid-year starters.