April 26, 2011
Many businesses will face at least some degree of disruption as a result of the Easter bank holidays. This year Easter falls just one week prior to two further bank holidays for May Day and the Royal Wedding, resulting in a reduction of four working days’ in two weeks.
The uncertain date of Easter has always caused problems. For hundreds of years, Easter has fallen on the ‘first Sunday after the first full moon of the Spring Equinox’. However, unbeknown to many, there is actually an Act of Parliament already in place, designed to set the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April. This is the Easter Act of 1928, which has yet to be implemented by any Government. It remains to be seen whether the Act will ever be put to use.
However, the proximity of the bank holidays has been profitable for the tourism industry with many people deciding to take off over the long weekends or even extend them by taking the intervening days off work, using only a few days of their annual leave entitlement.
Businesses facing staff shortages over this period will need to plan carefully, particularly if they need to provide a continuous service. Many can profit from the quieter period to catch up on tasks that are normally sidelined. Employers should also have regard to their bank holiday pay policies and ensure that part time workers are treated the same a full time workers albeit on a pro rata basis. Particular care is needed when bank holidays fall on days that are not normally worked by part time staff.
