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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Kieran Isgin

Will there be a day off for the King's Coronation?

The King's Coronation is right around the corner and will see the country watch on for the historic event.

However, many may be wondering if they are allowed the day off to properly celebrate the Coronation. It comes after the government confirmed a special bank holiday in honour of King Charles III's big moment.

While the Coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6, the actual bank holiday will take place two days later on Monday, May 8. This means the Saturday itself is not a bank holiday in of itself which may cause some confusion around employees who are expecting the day off.

Read more: King's Coronation bank holiday weekend could get workers 10 days off with just 4 days leave

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said: “The Coronation combines the sacred and the solemn but it is also celebratory.”

“This bank holiday will once again give people across the United Kingdom the opportunity to come together as families and communities to welcome His Majesty to the throne as we mark this important day in our nation’s long history.”

Here's everything you need to know about whether you can take the King's Coronation off or not...

Your employment rights for taking the day off

Because the actual day of the King's Coronation is not a bank holiday, there is no obligation for employers to let staff take the day off if they're scheduled to work on the weekend. It may be a good idea to speak with your employer or check the rules of your workplace for annual leave as they may have their own rota plan for the Coronation they haven't spoken about yet.

If you do put in a request for annual leave for May 6, it's important to remember that your employer has the right to refuse it if they feel it's essential you work on that day. For the bank holiday, things get a bit more confusing.

Jayne Holliday, legal director at law firm Higgs LLP, told the Mirror: "Many contracts will entitle an employee to a certain number of days' annual leave plus bank holidays. Clearly that covers May 8 and those employees can get the bunting out.

"However, other contracts will specify the number of days annual leave allowed plus the eight usual bank holidays. If a contract specifically says the usual bank holidays, then it will not automatically cover this additional bank holiday."

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