A Jubilee Celebration for Employers?
Posted on 20. May, 2012 by editor in Business Advice, Business News
As the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations fast approach, an employment expert is warning employers to plan ahead to avoid potential problems in the workplace.
Angela Shaw, employment solicitor at Massers in Nottingham, believes that employees have certain expectations about their entitlement to the additional bank holiday on Tuesday 5th June.
“As a general rule, there is no right to a bank or public holiday, although many workers are allowed time off. Where workers are allowed time off, they may not necessarily receive pay. The starting point will be to check whether there are any specific provisions in the contract of employment or whether the entitlement may have been built up through custom and practice.”
Many employees like to extend a bank holiday by taking annual leave for the duration of the week and the 5th June will be no different.
“Employers should have a clear procedure for booking holiday which should be communicated openly and fairly. This will avoid the potential fallout between work colleagues and also the likelihood of employees phoning in sick and leaving the business with staffing issues. Where there is an absence which has not been properly authorised, it could give rise to serious disciplinary action. It is therefore vitally important that steps are taken early to avoid potential disputes from arising.”
