Is st Patrick day (NI) a day off for staff in a bank call centre

[littletinymommy]

Just this.... I'm not sure if I'll get this off or if it's a working day in NI if you work for a back albeit in a call centre

Well it’s a public holiday in NI I think? However, in the UK in general there’s no obligation to give paid leave for a public or bank holiday. It’s at the discretion of the employer I guess - what does the contract say? Are bank and public holidays included in statutory leave?

Thanks for your reply. I haven't t stared this job yet ( will do in Feb) have read over contract and it doesn't mention specifically st Patrick day and I know some office jobs don't get it off, but I know banks can be different. Just trying to plan ahead as kids will be off school lol

St Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in NI (just like 12 July), so you should be off or paid (double time?). If this is a bank that has its headquarters outside of NI then you might have been provided with generic terms and conditions, so that’s something you could query. If it’s for a job in a call centre servicing the UK you might have a fight on your hands, as they will likely argue that local public holidays aren’t applicable as the business is not ‘based in NI’. As far as I know it’s best practice to honour local holidays for employees, but we know banks don’t always demonstrate best practice 🙃. Why not just tell them you have a prior arrangement on that day and need to take it as leave when you start - good luck 😉

Years ago I worked in a Belfast office, essentially a call centre, for UK wide insurance claims. We were open on 12th and St Patrick's Day. We closed on Good Fri and Easter Mon instead of Easter Mon and Tue. I can't remember if we got extra leave to make up for not getting the NI hols off......