Who doesn’t love a bank holiday? Whether you like to spend them relaxing at home or jetting off on an extended weekend away, they’re an important part of any work/life balance. But if you work in the health sector, you may be keen to learn more about what NHS bank holidays you’re entitled to.
While last year we saw an additional bank holiday given because of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with the King’s Coronation this year, we can expect another. Although for many healthcare workers, duty calls over the bank holidays, and they’re needed to work.
Therefore, you may be thinking, what is your NHS bank holiday entitlement for 2023, and how many bank holidays can we enjoy this year? Whether you are looking to plan a trip away with the extra day off or you’ll be working the bank holidays this year, here you can get answers to all your questions right here!
What are the bank holidays for 2023?
Here is a list of all the bank holidays for the rest of 2023:
Friday 7th April – Good Friday bank holiday
Monday 10th April – Easter Monday bank holiday
Monday 1st May – Early May bank holiday
Monday 8th May – Bank holiday for the coronation of King Charles III
Monday 29th May – Spring bank holiday
Monday 28th August – Summer bank holiday
Monday 25th December – Christmas Day
Monday 26th December – Boxing Day
Do NHS staff get double pay on bank holidays?
Of course, most of us would rather enjoy the bank holiday with friends and family. However, some healthcare staff must work over the national holiday to ensure patients receive the life-saving care they need.
While NHS staff usually receive overtime pay at time and a half, if you work on a general public holiday, you can expect double time. Full time staff may also be offered a substitute day off or lieu hours for working on a bank holiday.
Are NHS bank staff paid for holidays?
The NHS relies heavily on the help and assistance of NHS bank staff. This helps them continue providing the healthcare service hundreds of patients require daily. NHS bank staff are also entitled to paid holidays, and holiday allowance will start from the first shift a member of NHS bank staff works.
How many bank holidays do NHS staff get?
As a full-time member of NHS staff, your annual leave entitlement includes eight bank holidays off in a single leave year. This amount will change if you are part-time or if you have been with the NHS for five years or more. However, it isn’t uncommon for staff to work on NHS bank holidays because of the needs of the service and their patients. Therefore, while you may be entitled to 8 bank holidays off, you may be expected to work other bank holidays so others get a break.
Will NHS staff get a Bank Holiday for the King’s Coronation?
On Saturday, 6 May 2023, King Charles III will be crowned, and therefore there will be an extra bank holiday on Monday, 8 May 2023. While this extra bank holiday may be taken from employees’ NHS bank holiday entitlement, they should be paid the unsocial hours rate or the double time overtime rate if needed to work on that date.