Bank Holiday Scheduling: A Survival Guide

Bank holidays are some of the busiest days of the year for hospitality. They are also the hardest to staff.

Everyone wants the day off. But you cannot run a pub or restaurant with no team. The key is a rota that feels fair, follows the rules, and keeps your business covered.

Here is how to do it.

Plan Early

Do not wait until the week before. Bank holiday rotas should be published at least two weeks in advance.

The earlier you publish, the easier it is to manage requests. Staff can see what they are working and plan around it. Late rotas cause resentment and last-minute cancellations.

Ask for Volunteers First

Before assigning anyone, ask who wants to work. Some staff actively want bank holiday shifts — the extra pay is attractive.

Send a message asking for volunteers. You will often find enough people without forcing anyone. Use a rota system that lets staff flag their availability in advance.

Rotate Fairly

The same people should not work every bank holiday. Rotate the unpopular shifts across the team.

Keep a simple record of who worked which bank holiday. When the next one comes around, give the priority to those who worked the last one. Fair rotation reduces complaints and keeps morale intact.

Understand the Legal Side

Bank holiday pay is not always straightforward. Unlike some countries, UK law does not guarantee extra pay for working bank holidays. However, many hospitality contracts include enhanced rates.

Check your employment contracts. If you promise time-and-a-half or double time, you must honour it. Also remember that bank holidays count towards the statutory 5.6 weeks of annual leave. If staff usually have bank holidays off, you cannot then force them to work without giving the day back as holiday.

Manage Time-Off Requests

Not everyone can work every bank holiday. Some staff have children, caring responsibilities, or other commitments.

Have a clear policy for handling time-off requests. First-come, first-served usually works. But make sure the same people are not always getting Christmas and Easter off while others always work.

Plan for the Aftermath

Bank holiday shifts are intense. Staff who work them need proper rest afterward.

Avoid scheduling a bank holiday worker for an early shift the next day. Give them a late start or a day off to recover. A burned-out team is no use to anyone.

The Bottom Line

Bank holiday rotas do not have to cause conflict. Plan ahead, rotate fairly, and communicate clearly. Your staff will thank you.