Can you believe we’re turning a new decade in just a matter of days? Yes, believe it or not, 2020 is fast approaching and you’re probably plotting out your holidays, long weekends and when you can take advantage of the well-deserved bank holidays. So, let’s find out exactly when your much-needed breaks are by exploring the 2020 UK work calendar.
Each year is flying by quicker than the last, right? The leaves turning from autumn brown to spring green seems to come around faster than Lewis Hamilton record-lap time. As the cold-crisp of January approaches, you’ll probably be thinking about the most important question of the year … What holidays, bank-holidays, and long weekends will I be indulging in throughout the year ahead?
As always in the business world taking holidays isn’t a one-step process, you’ll most likely need to ask for approval, or make sure the work-load is covered before you can waltz out the door, luggage in tow. You’ll most likely have to login to your online HR system to request that all-important week off in August, and stay committed to the days you need otherwise there might be clashes with other colleagues.
One of the benefits of working in England and Wales means that you’ll be able to take advantage of 8 bank holidays and 4 long-weekends, luckily all the state-given holidays that fall on a weekend day, receive a substitute weekday to compensate. However, just know that it’s not legally required to pay you for these days.
Let’s take a look at the 2020 UK work calendar for England and Wales;
- Wednesday 01 January: New Year’s Day
- Friday 10 April: Good Friday
- Monday 13 April: Easter Monday
- Friday 8 May: Early May Bank Holiday (VE Day)
- Monday 25 May: Spring Bank Holiday
- Monday 31 August: Summer Bank Holiday
- Friday 25 December: Christmas Day
- Monday 28 December: Boxing Day (substitute day)
For those of you who are familiar with the UK bank holidays you’ll notice something out of place for the May bank holiday in 2020. Got it yet? Yes, you may be used to two bank holidays in May, but things are changing next year. The government has announced that the early May bank holiday – known as May Day – that usually takes place on the first Monday of May, has been moved back four days to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
VE Day – or Victory in Europe Day – marks the day in 1945 when the Nazis surrendered their armed forces in the Second World War. The weekend in May 2020 will see three days of commemorative events.
For the second time in history, the May bank holiday date is changing from what should be the May 4th, and instead will be taking place on Friday 8th May. This means the first three day weekend in May will take place from Friday 8th May – Sunday 10th May.
2020 UK work calendar: Scotland
If you work up in the northern country of Scotland, you’ll be pleased to know that you can take advantage of 9 bank holidays next year. Here’s the dates;
- Wednesday 01 January: New Year’s Day
- Thursday 02 January: 2nd January
- Friday 10 April: Good Friday
- Friday 8 May: Early May Bank Holiday (VE Day)
- Monday 25 May: Spring Bank Holiday
- Monday 3 August: Summer Bank Holiday
- Monday 30 November: St. Andrew’s Day
- Friday 25 December: Christmas Day
- Monday 28 December: Boxing Day (substitute day)
2020 UK work calendar: Northern Ireland
Oh, the luck of the Irish. If you’re working in Northern Ireland in 2020, you’ll be receiving a whopping 10 bank holidays in 2020! Let’s take a look;
- Wednesday 01 January: New Year’s Day
- Tuesday 17 March: St. Patrick’s Day
- Friday 10 April: Good Friday
- Monday 13 April: Easter Monday
- Friday 8 May: Early May Bank Holiday (VE Day)
- Monday 25 May: Spring Bank Holiday
- Monday 13 July: Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day)
- Monday 31 August: Summer Bank Holiday
- Friday 25 December: Christmas Day
- Monday 28 December: Boxing Day (substitute day)
So now you know when you’re long weekends are going to come into fruition, it’s time to start requesting days off and planning where you’re traveling to. Using a powerful human resource management tool can help you keep track of your holiday requests, as well as giving you control of hiring, payroll, employee benefits, and sick leave. Holded’s Team software is presented in a beautiful, user friendly package.
