Not all employers will offer staff Bank Holiday next Monday

With the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II set to take place on 19 September, a Bank Holiday was declared for the same day in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

However, due to the official guidance, not everyone will get an extra day off work.

It’ll all depend on what your employer decides to do.

Ian McPherson London/Alamy Stock Photo

New national guidance from the powers that be states: “This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer.

“There is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.

“The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers.

“However, we would expect that many workers will be able to take the day off on the bank holiday.

“We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work.”

So, it’s already been confirmed that all schools will take the day off, which means that a lot of parents who work will have to either hope they get the day off as well or that they can find another arrangement for the kids.

If not, you'll have to have a conversation with your boss about what the plan is.

Incidentally, the state funeral itself will take place at 11am on the morning of 19 September.

PA Images/Alamy Stock photo

In the official guidance, it is also stated that employees should have a conversation with their employers to decide whether it might be better for them to get a day off in lieu if they are made to turn up to work on the day of the funeral.

Ahead of the official state funeral in London, the Queen’s coffin left Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands earlier this morning, before winding a slow journey down to Edinburgh.

The hearse carrying the deceased monarch’s body will head through small rural villages and towns on the way over six hours before arriving into the capital, where the Queen will lie in the throne room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

From there, the coffin will be flown down to London where it will be taken to Buckingham Palace, before lying in state in Westminster Hall for a period of four days so that members of the public can travel and pay their respects.

Mark Phillips/Alamy Stock Photo

Her funeral is expected to be attended by dignitaries and high-ranking officials and politicians from around the world, including the President of the United States of America Joe Biden and his wife.

Thousands of people have already gathered in London to lay floral tributes and to pay their respects to the Queen.

More will be expected to arrive over the course of the next week as the funeral approaches.