Bank Holidays - Do you have to work them

yellum

Hi,
Can your employer require you to work Bank Holidays ? We were told that we now have to request a holiday day if we don't work a bank holiday. Is this correct ? Any laws I can quote that show my employer has to ask me to work the day and not tell me I have to work it ?

Zaltais

This may (or may not be what you're looking for) - The guide to labour law

The Act also provides the following nine public holidays:-
(a) 1 January (New Year’s Day);
(b) St. Patrick’s Day;
(c) Easter Monday;
16
(d) the first Monday in May;
(e) the first Monday in June;
(f) the first Monday in August;
(g) the last Monday in October;
(h) Christmas Day;
(i) St. Stephen’s Day.
In respect of each public holiday, an employee is entitled to:-
(a) a paid day off on the holiday, or
(b) a paid day off within a month, or
(c) an extra day’s annual leave, or
(d) an extra day’s pay
as the employer may decide.
Therefore, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday, and the employee
does not normally work Saturdays, options (b), (c) or (d) apply as the
employer may decide.
There is no service requirement in respect of public holidays for whole
time employees. Other categories of employees (part-time) qualify for
public holiday entitlement provided they have worked at least 40 hours
during the five weeks ending on the day before a public holiday.

or you could try this Govt. info service:

Employment Rights Information Unit
Room G05
Davitt House
65a Adelaide Road
Dublin 2

Telephone: + 353 1 631 3131
LoCall Number 1890 201 615
Fax: + 353 1 631 3267
E-mail Address:erinfo@entemp.ie

Opening hours: 9.30 am - 5.00 pm (including lunchtime)

eth0_

Yellum, what line of work are you in? I used to do tech support for UK customers, and had to work EVERY Irish bank holiday but we got the UK bank holidays off (they did ask 2 or 3 to come in to cover Irish calls but there was no overtime paid on that which I thought was a little suspect).

This is perfectly legal, alas.

Victor

Essentially yes, however I suspect the onus is on your employer to say you are working, I don't think they can just blanket "you will always work bank holidays". However, you are entitled to either pay in lieu or an alternative day off.

Also, do not accept double time on a bank holiday, only to be sent home early.

yellum

Cheers for the info everyone. Going to print off that Labour law doc tomorrow in work.

Always handy to have.

Victor

Yellum, what type of business do you work for?

yellum

Tech Support

Cabaal

Yeah,
Tech Support for UK Customers

UK Calendar, but paid double time and a half for UK Bank Holidays