Last updated: January 20th, 2022
The government has agreed on a once-off public holiday to recognise the efforts of the general public, volunteers, and all workers during the pandemic. This public holiday will occur on Friday, March 18th of this year. In addition, this day will mark a national commemoration and remembrance of people who lost their lives due to COVID-19.
Also agreed, and of high importance to all employers, is a new permanent Bank Holiday. Commencing in 2023, this new Irish Bank Holiday will be in celebration of St Brigid’s day. This will be the first Monday in every February, except where St. Brigid’s day, the first day of February, happens to fall on a Friday, in which case that Friday, February 1st will be a Bank Holiday.
While most people will welcome this new Bank Holiday, it does have implications for employers…
What does a new Bank Holiday in Ireland mean for employers?
When this new Bank Holiday comes into effect, there will be 10 public holidays in Ireland annually. They’re sometimes called Bank Holidays in Ireland, but for the purposes of holiday pay, it’s the 10 public holidays that are relevant. It’s important to know your employees’ entitlement to holiday pay to make sure you comply with employment law.
You may wonder whether you need to make Bank Holiday payments to your staff on the likes of Saint Patrick’s Day, for instance. From 2023, your full-time staff members have an entitlement to be paid for the 10 Bank Holidays that are also public holidays:
- January 1st
- Patrick’s Day (17th March)
- The first Monday in February
- Eater Monday
- The first Monday in May
- The first Monday in June
- The first Monday in August
- The last Monday
- Christmas Day
- Stephen’s Day
Employee pay entitlements for Bank Holidays
On these 10 public holidays, full-time staff have a legal right to be paid what are sometimes known as Bank Holiday pay rates. Essentially, your full-time staff have an entitlement to one of the following benefits during the 10 public holidays:
- A day off with pay
- An extra day of annual leave
- An extra day of pay
- A day off with pay within a month of the public holiday
Your employees’ entitlement to paid annual leave, including public holidays, is legislated by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. There tends to be confusion as to whether extra pay is due on Bank Holidays. There isn’t a “double pay law.” If your employee works on a public holiday, then you need to provide them with one of the options listed above.
Bank Holiday pay for part-time employees
Regarding part-time employee Bank Holiday pay entitlements, the situation is a bit different. You’re not obliged to pay a part-time employee who hasn’t worked 40 hours for you in the five weeks before the public holiday. If they have completed more than forty hours’ work, you must provide the same entitlement to a paid day off or one of the other options listed above.
In terms of how to calculate Bank Holiday pay in Ireland for part-time employees who normally work on the day the public holiday falls, they’re entitled to a paid day off or the alternatives as outlined above. The employee’s pay should be equivalent to the hours they worked on the last day before the public holiday.
Article: Understanding how to calculate Bank Holiday pay in Ireland
If an employee doesn’t normally work on the day the Bank Holiday falls, they should receive one-fifth of their normal weekly wage. So, Bank Holiday pay, part-time, is a bit trickier than for full-time employees. But if you follow the above advice, you’ll know the amount they’re due.
As an employer, it’s essential to ensure that your employment contracts and policies are updated to reflect these recent changes.
Need help updating your employment contracts and policies?
If you need help updating your employment contracts and policies to include this new Bank Holiday, we can help. Speak to one of our expert HR consultants today on 0818 923 923.
