I read an article about holiday entitlements for employees. It stated we were entitled to 5.6 weeks’ holiday, or 28 days if we work a five-day week. My employer says they can take eight days off that for bank holidays, including Christmas and New Year. Are they allowed to do this?
Yes. There is no legal entitlement for people to have a day off, paid or unpaid, on bank and public holidays so if you take those days off (whether you want to or not) and you’re paid for them, they can be included as part of your minimum holiday entitlement. Check what your employment contract has to say about public holidays, and about holidays in general.