The day of the Queen’s funeral will be observed as a bank holiday in her memory.
At St. James’s Palace in London on Saturday, King Charles III officially authorised an edict designating Monday, September 19 as a bank holiday.
The Queen will be laid to rest at Westminster Abbey on September 19 at 11 a.m.
Britons are unsure about what the unexpected vacation means for them and their families. Can you legally skip work on this day? Are schools going to be closed?
The tenth bank holiday of the year falls on September 19. For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year, an extra one was previously added.
The UK typically observes eight bank holidays each year.
Do I have a right to a day off work?
Even though the King has designated his mother’s state burial a bank holiday, firms are not legally required to offer their employees the day off.
The government claims that the bank holiday would function similarly to previous bank holidays in its web statement.
This means that although there is “no legislative right” to time off, companies may nonetheless include the day against a worker’s leave allowance.
According to the declaration, “the government cannot meddle in current contractual agreements between businesses and employees.”
However, we anticipate that a large number of employees will be able to take the bank holiday off. Additionally, we anticipate employers to accommodate requests from staff members who desire to skip work on a funeral day.
The holiday, according to officials, would mark the last day of the period of national mourning and enable citizens, companies, and other organisations to “pay their respects to Her Majesty and celebrate Her reign.”
If I have to work, may I request a day in lieu?
If employees are compelled to work, their employers may provide them an additional holiday. The government hasn’t provided any advice on this, however.
Days in-lieu are decided on an individual basis by each organisation and are a topic of conversation between employees and their bosses.
Will I get more money if I work?
The government advises employees to negotiate raises with their employers.
The government’s declaration states, “There are no legislative regulations regulating additional pay on bank holidays.”
Are schools going to be closed?
On September 19, schools will be closed so that faculty, staff, and students may grieve Her Majesty’s passing.
We are not asking schools to stay open on the day of the bank holiday, the government document clearly reads.
Some schools could decide to stay open in a limited capacity in an attempt to care for kids if their parents are at work.
The government does not, however, mandate this. Each school would probably make its own choice.
Will stores and eateries shut down?
During the 10-day period of mourning, shops and other customer-facing enterprises will likely stay open.
Some establishments could decide to shut on the day of the burial, particularly if they are along the procession route.
However, according to official government instructions, “organisations are not required to cease operations during the time of national mourning.”
People in Britain are urged to get in touch with companies directly to learn more about closures.
Will my mail still be delivered by Royal Mail?
As a gesture of respect for the Queen, the Royal Mail will stop delivering mail on the day of the funeral.
In a statement, Royal Mail CEO Simon Thompson stated, “We want to make our customers aware that services will be paused on the day of the burial as people gather together to honour Her Majesty, following 70 years of great service to the country and the Commonwealth.”
He said the group is “honoured” to be playing a “important role” in conveying condolences to the Royal Family from all across the globe.
Since King Henry VIII appointed the first postmaster, Royal Mail claims to have had a tight association with the king or queen for more than 500 years.
Queen Elizabeth II reportedly maintained this strong connection by showing a “keen interest” in its operations and taking a “active involvement” in choosing stamps, according to the postal service.
GPs and hospitals: Will they close?
The NHS is anticipated to operate normally on September 19th, just like any other bank holiday. Hospitals will be open, but it’s probable that GP offices will shut.
Operation as planned is anticipated to continue.
When the preparations are complete, the NHS will release further information, a representative for the organisation told MailOnline.
Will the legal system remain functional?
The English and Welsh courts will be open during the time of national mourning.
On the day of the burial, the courts are only anticipated to consider urgent cases.
Will theatres, art galleries, and museums be closed?
For the approaching bank holiday, a few places of amusement and culture will be closed.
Following the news of the Queen’s passing, the National Gallery closed and The Royal Opera House cancelled its performance of Don Giovanni.
In a similar vein, the BBC cancelled the Last Night of the Proms at Royal Albert Hall in her honour when she passed away.
Cultural institutions are not obligated to shut on bank holidays, just like other companies. In actuality, the British Museum welcomes visitors year-round.
People are urged to get in touch with the relevant museum, theatre, or gallery to inquire about their unique rules for the September 19 Bank Holiday.
Sporting activities will they be cancelled?
In the aftermath of the Queen’s passing, a number of athletic events—including football and significant horse races—have been postponed.
For further information on cancellations and rescheduled games, fans can refer to their club’s schedule.
Will there still be rail or postal strikes during the time of national mourning?
In a gesture of respect after the passing of the Queen, rail union boss Mick Lynch has cancelled strikes scheduled for the following week.
The leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union said that the union will be joining “the entire country in paying its respects” and that the rail workers’ strike had been “suspended.”
In a long-running dispute over wages, employment, and conditions, the RMT last week declared that members will go on strike on September 15 and 17. This action would disrupt train service.
But Mr. Lynch said, “RMT joins the entire country in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth,” as a sign of respect for Her Majesty.
The second day of the Royal Mail’s anticipated 48-hour strike over salary and working conditions was likewise put off.
The Communication Workers Union tweeted last Thursday, “Following the extremely sad news of the Queen’s demise, and out of respect for her service to the nation and her family, the union has decided to put off tomorrow’s scheduled strike action.”
While the rail and postal unions have decided not to strike during the time of national mourning, this does not imply that other workers’ organisations will cease their meetings.
Defense attorneys will continue to reject cases sponsored by legal aid, according to the head of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), who made the announcement on Friday.
The strike action will continue, but there will be no protests in courts or in Westminster the next week. The Queen’s funeral protests will be “kept under review.”
Will there be a holiday in remembrance of the Queen?
There are presently “no plans,” according to the administration, to observe the Queen’s passing as a national holiday.
Is a monarch’s burial often observed as a holiday?
A bank holiday is not often observed during a monarch’s funeral.
The last state funerals conducted in the UK in 1965 for Sir Winston Churchill and King George VI, respectively, did not fall on a holiday.
To assist “help offer as many people as possible the chance on the day of the State Funeral to honour Her Majesty’s departure and celebrate Her reign,” the government has designated the Queen’s funeral as a bank holiday.
When is the Coronation of King Charles III, and will it be a holiday?
Charles was proclaimed king when his mother passed away, but his coronation won’t take place until the following year.
After a time of mourning, his Coronation will probably occur in the spring or summer of 2023.
If a bank holiday will be observed to celebrate the event, the government has not yet made that decision. Officials promise that a decision will be made “closer to the time.”