THE day of the Queen’s funeral is set to be a Bank Holiday – but will you have to go to work or school?
King Charles gave his approval yesterday to make the historic event a Bank Holiday after he was formally made monarch in a landmark ceremony.
The funeral will take place on Monday, September 19 at Westminster Abbey at 11am.
Lord President of the Council, Penny Mordaunt asked newly-appointed Charles to confirm the day as an official Bank Holiday.
The monarch agreed that the funeral would be a national holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
On the day the plans are for the Queen’s coffin to process on a gun carriage to the abbey, pulled by sailors using ropes rather than horses.
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Senior members of the family are expected to follow behind – just like they did for the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Here are all the rules for the September Bank Holiday explained.
While many Brits will enjoy the day off work, the government is advising that it’s not that simple.
New guidance from authorities confirms that each employer needs to make their own decision on whether or not they will give staff the day off.
Despite the King has declaring his mother’s state funeral as a Bank Holiday, there is no legal requirement for employers to give staff the day off.
The government, in its online announcement, says the “bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays.”
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A full post reads: “This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer.
“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.
“The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers.
“However, we would expect that many workers will be able to take the day off on the bank holiday.
“We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work.”
The guidance also adds that workers should speak with their bosses over if they will get a day’s holiday in lieu if they do work the funeral date.
Usually, the UK has eight Bank Holidays per year, but Brits will have celebrated ten this year with an extra one previously added earlier this year for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Schools will be closed on September 19 so that staff and students can mourn the death of Her Majesty.
The government statement reads: “We are not asking schools to remain open on the day of the bank holiday.”
It is possible that some schools may opt to remain open in a limited capacity, in effort to look after children should their parents be at work.
However, the government does not require this. It would likely be an individual decision made by each school.
Authorities say that staff should discuss additional pay with their employers as it will vary on a by-company basis.
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“There are no statutory rules regarding extra pay on bank holidays”, the government’s announcement notes.
Employers may offer staff another day’s holiday if they need to work but this is not government issued guidance.
