Citizens Information are receiving a lot of employment related queries regarding public holidays which are often referred to as bank holidays. We have had four so far this year (Jan, Mar, Apr & May) and have five more to look forward to (June, Aug, Oct, Dec x 2) in 2021.  

On a public holiday, most businesses and services close for the day and most employees are entitled to one of the following public holiday benefits; 

A paid day off on the public holiday

An additional day of annual leave

An additional day’s pay

A paid day off within a month of the public holiday

If you do not normally work on a Monday, then you are entitled to one-fifth of your normal weekly wage for that day.

Part-time employees qualify for public holiday entitlement if they have worked at least 40 hours during the 5 weeks ending on the day before a public holiday.

An employee should ask their employer which of the above applies to them at least 21 days before a public holiday. If the employer does not respond at least 14 days before the public holiday, then the employee is entitled to a paid day off on the day.

Speaking about public holiday entitlement during Covid-19, Frances Clifford, Kerry Citizens Information Manager, said, “During lay off or short-time working, you still are employed by your employer and your contract of employment remains in force. This means that you are entitled to benefit from any public holidays that occur during the first 13 weeks of your lay off. For any employee needing advice or further information around public holidays and the implication of Covid19, they can contact us in complete confidence, we provide free, independent and non-judgmental assistance and advice.”

For anyone needing information, advice or who have an advocacy issue, they can log on to www.citizensinformation.ie for further information and contact details.