The government has declared next Monday as a national holiday but insists that this does not give anyone the right to down tools for the day.
“This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer,” the government says, in answer to the question ‘do we get the day off work?’. It says: “There is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.”
If you are made to work on the day of the funeral, do not expect any extra pay. “This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer,” the government says. “There are no statutory rules regarding extra pay on bank holidays”.
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC), a forum of industry and government representatives, says that bosses should at least “consider” giving “some kind of leave” – “where possible” – but both government and industry representatives stress that there is no obligation on employers and no rights for employees to stop work for the funeral.
The CLC guidance on mourning protocol (yes, it exists) says: “Our guidance is that organisations should – where possible – consider offering their employees some kind of leave to enable them to pay their respects.”
The CLC does say, however, that it might be worth thinking about suspending work temporarily if the crowds in the vicinity are overwhelming. “Given the nature of construction activity, it is advisable companies carefully consider on an individual basis, whether those sites operating in the vicinity of specific areas (eg central London) should continue to do so during the mourning period and the state funeral, especially at times when large crowds are likely to gather to pay their respects,” it says.
Other advice is equally prosaic: “Organisations can acknowledge the mourning period by making changes to the homepage of their website, for example, with the use of black edging or black banners.”
On whether the construciton industry should observe's the national holiday on the day of the funeral, the Construction Industry Joint Council, the industrial relations forum of unions and employers’ organisations, said: “In practice, with the short notice of the bank holiday, its affect, and the great variety of operational work/numerous work locations planned for next Monday, there will be operatives required to work and others not required to work.
“Consequently, taking all relevant factors that apply into account, it will be for each business/employer to determine how they will view the day, and whether time off, paid or unpaid, will be given.”
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