To think it’s ridiculous that an extra Bank Holiday has been announced in Scotland because they’ve qualified for the World Cup?

[Butterflyfluff]

Just that really?

What if every country who qualifies decided to do this?

What about other sports?

I’m surprised that so many people think adding a random Bank Holiday in, at fairly short notice, for an extremely spurious reason, doesn’t affect anyone not living in that country.

It’s an absolute minefield for employers of any business with operations in Scotland, for a multitude of reasons. Not least deciding if you are going to honour the date or not.

It’s a day off!

Can I join the list of people curious as to whether you live in Scotland or not ?

You mean postponed as opposed to cancelled? Which is what happens due to staff shortages and illness on a daily basis. I worked in hospitals for 15 years and had to deal with short notice stoppages - strikes! - and actually they were calmer and better times in the hospitals because we didn't get half as many walk ins and actually a lot more consultant-led care, because they would get extra money and it really made it worth their while. We had three tiers - emergency, urgent and routine. Some routine operations got postponed, but really not so many more than in an average week when staff were away due to illness or training or emergency leave - it's also only a single day after all - it's moving around one day's worth of planned procedures. Sad and surprised to hear if that has changed these days, although I appreciate I've not worked there for a while.

🤣

When Ireland qualified for their first World Cup in Italia 90 during the Romania match in particular the entire country literally shut down. I’m not exaggerating at all. The factory where my mother worked closed at the workers own expense and most places did similar. And people have nothing but fond memories from it all.

No I don’t live in Scotland but my point has absolutely nothing to do with not getting a day off!

Elective surgery stops on bank holidays, of course it does.

So why are you so put out? Is it because Scotland is able to make its own decision?

It honestly doesn't - it reduces, it doesn't stop. Unless a hospital is being run really inefficiently.

Oh my days! What kind of paranoia is that!

it’s not the country that is the issue - it’s the principle of doing something with such far reaching implications for such a spurious reason.

Yes it’s ridiculous and there will not be many people getting an extra days holiday, let’s be honest. It will be some Scottish government staff. Businesses would have to pay for it if they did it too.

I live in Scotland and work for the government but it isn’t the Scottish government. We have offices in Scotland, England and Wales so I doubt we will be getting it off or there will be carnage!

The Scottish Women’s Football team qualified for the World Cup in 2019. I can’t seem to find any details of a bank holiday for that - they must be in there somewhere.

Have you read “The Van” by Roddy Doyle”?

Not being in Scotland, I'm not really that bothered.

So you and the OP cancel each other out then.

So again we have to ask, what actual impact will it have on you, that it’s causing you such annoyance.

Even if you run a business (presuming England based) I really can’t see why you are so upset.

My dh is excited so are my kids. It is important to them. I had already decided not to work that day and if the schools are closed one of the two of us would have had to have the day off. I need to check with dh but presume he will have the day off so I have the option to work that day should I fancy it.

Do you have any idea how huge this is in Scotland?!

They haven't qualified for the world cup since 1998. For a huge number of the population, this will be the first time they have ever got to see Scotland be in the tournament.

Most years they have to endure the national telly going on and on about the world cup as if England is the only country in the UK that matters.

This year, Scotland being in the world cup is immense!!

Even if they lose every game, pretty much the whole country will be behind them. And if they win! Well the government are wise with the bank holiday idea is all I can say 😁

No. Elective surgery is not being cancelled. The Scottish Parliament does not have juristiction on NHS decisions and each NHS trust as an employer will have the freedom to decide what to do based on their own waiting list, staffing levels and capacity (I very much doubt there will be any cancellations, unless too many staff decide to throw a sickie in order to watch the match, which doesn't seem likely)

Er I've worked in theatres for years

I'm sure you have - the hospitals I've worked in have never cancelled all electives on a Bank Holiday, it just hasn't happened.

Yup. Bit pathetic.

It would be crass to suggest English exceptionalism.

Bet you were awfully excited when there was chatter about a bank holiday for the Euros last year eh?