8th May 2023 marks a historic day of the Monarchy as it’s the day of the Coronation of King Charles III. 

To mark the special day, there will be a UK Bank Holiday, meaning employees will get the day(s) off to celebrate. Although it is a national holiday, it may not apply to every UK employee. That being said, employers are required to discuss the arrangements for not only that day in particular but all bank holidays, with their employees. Due to the arrangements, this also may affect potential customers and business as a result. 

Whether employees get time off or not, this may come down to contractual obligations or part of a benefits package. 

Employees should discuss the following with their employees and potential customers: 

• Whether the business will be open or closed for the bank holiday 
• Is this contractual? 
• For essential employees who are required to work, will it be regular or bonus pay?
• For employees not working, will they receive holiday pay? 
• What rules or process is in place for employees to follow during holidays? 

Businesses that do not provide a holiday for these types of occasions are likely to receive a number of annual leave requests from their employees. If that is the case, employers should continue to follow the policies they already have in place when it comes to allocating holidays. If your business requires 24/7 customer support, it’s vital you have these plans in place in good time to ensure you have the appropriate number of staff to work when required. 

With historic occasions such as the Coronation, it’s important employers take into account the personal preferences of their employees. Many will want to celebrate the occasion, however, they will understand business needs. Taking into account contractual obligations as well as personal needs, find the right solution for employees and the business in the leadup to the big day.