Extra Bank Holidays

On a Ramblers' holiday in Spain we stayed in Caceres, a conquistador town in Extremadura, well away from tourist routes. Their local patron saint is St George and there was a big pageant that evening, attended, it seemed, by the whole town, culminating in the Saint riding a white horse onto the stage and slashing the dragon with his sword at which moment there was a spectacular fireworks display.
I am a neutral Scot on the subject, but was left wondering why, if one smallish town in Spain can put on a show like this, why doesn't England?

anno there was a re-enactment of St George on Sunday in The Castle in Newcastle, the procession including the horse then progressed to the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas. I will see if I can post some photos that a friend took.

It seems that our Labour Party is now "doing religion" again.

...or they are pretending to.

St George and his horse in the Catherdral Church of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Photo by Phil Punton Photography

I agree with Jane, Christine and those who say give them to us as statutory holidays to take as and when we wish.

Those of us who work, and some of us do 45+ hours per week, take a holiday for all sorts of reasons - to relax and recharge, to spend extended time with family, to soak up (the sun) and other cultures. The odd Bank Holiday here and there wouldn't really help much, it would just be a case of getting all those (gardening/DIY) jobs done with little unwinding time.

France has a lot of bank holidays they get by OK. What's wrong with uk having few more.
I am retired any way, makes no difference to me.
But some people have quite stressful jobs, so maybe they would like them.

Those in stressful jobs usually do not get them - they have to work.

And then there is the
Extra Bank Holiday sales to consider. ..
We havent had one of those for all of five minutes!

Off to make my shopping list for the Mayday Bank Holiday sale.

There must be something I want need

Easter needs to be fixed... this rubbish about the moon is just daft. If it's too early, then countries in cold climates could be still having snow. Why can't the christian churches agree on it?

I don't think we have to worry nowadays about pilgrims travelling needing under the light of a full moon.

www.space.com/36460-full-moon-that-determines-easter.html

Those in stressful jobs usually do not get them - they have to work.

Exactly, M0nica. And even if they do get them they aren't paid - they have to come out of their annual holiday allowance.

There was a time when workers whose jobs meant they had to go in on bank holidays were paid time and a half. Not for many a year now though.

Lewlew that would spoil the fun of working it out! It's a moveable feast.

ps it has just hailed here and is very chilly (and nearly May)

Oh, it looks like it's heading our way... very very dark and chilly wind now!

The sun's out again now but it is very chilly!!

If my son has to work on a bank holiday, he gets a day off in lieu, and is paid time and a half.

Must be in a privileged job then - people such as care workers don't get time and a half any more and have to take their chances with the rota as to who works when.

Same here, work on a bank holiday or weekend = day off in lieu and extra pay. I guess it all depends who one works for, and what the contract says.

All right for some then - isn't it always?

Gosh there are some folk who work so hard not to see a positive in anything!!

Ana And even if they do get them they aren't paid - they have to come out of their annual holiday allowance.
I'm not sure what you mean. The statutory holiday allowance in the UK is 28 days. That includes the 8 bank holidays.
Anyone who has to work on a bank holiday still has that day to take as holiday.

Easy to be positive if you get time and a half and a day off in lieu.

^Those in stressful jobs usually do not get them - they have to work.

Exactly, M0nica. And even if they do get them they aren't paid - they have to come out of their annual holiday allowance^

Not true Ana Bank holidays are law although they do not have to be taken on the actual "bank holiday" they do have to be given in lieu and have to be added to the annual holiday entitlement. For example if the annual holiday entitlement for a Joe Bloggs Ltd employee is 20 days it becomes 20 days plus the 8 bank holidays. Making the total 28 days. Most shop workers are not able to take the bank holidays on the "actual" day but they have to have them at other times and they are added to their entitlement.

We work in Engineering so we close on bank holidays as do most of our customers (who tend to be large volume manufacturers). Our employees get a minimum of 20 days plus 8 bank holidays, rising to 30 days plus 8, for 2 guys who have been with us the longest.

See durhamjen's possst of 16.59

I have no idea about DJ's sons company Ana but most people who work bank holidays (almost all shop workers, some nhs staff, essential services etc) get the day given back to take at a later time. He is very lucky to get time and a half as well. My DD works for a large coffee chain and gets to take the "bank holiday" at another day of her choice. That's it.

I think DJ is actually saying that her son does quite well out of working a bank holiday Ana as he gets the day (at another time) plus an enhanced rate.

Yes - all I was saying is that in previous years (around 2000/1?) lower paid workers used to get time and a half automatically if they had to work on a bank holiday.