Will you get an extra Bank Holiday if England win the Euro 2024 final?

Quietly mention it (and don't bring bad luck). The England men's soccer team may be on the brink of winning its first big competition in nearly six decades; which would also mean an additional day off for everyone.

This upcoming Sunday, Gareth Southgate's beloved squad will face Spain in the Euro 2024 championship finals. Despite not being the top pick to win, English supporters are getting ready for a thrilling evening of festivities. There's even talk of a possible extra day off work being granted to mark the occasion.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has confirmed that the nation will observe the event, but has not committed to granting additional holiday time. A recent survey by YouGov indicates that the majority of British individuals oppose the idea (keeping true to the image of the grumpy Brit).

Some people are hoping for a sleep-in. If we do get a football bank holiday, what impact would it have on employers? Would all employees have the right to take the day off?

Do All Employees Get A Bank Holiday?

If an additional bank holiday is declared, an employee's eligibility for the extra day off will be determined based on the terms of their employment agreement.

Many companies in the service sector require their employees to work on bank holidays. Workers in these industries should not anticipate having the day off.

Some companies have seen the potential for improvement in their employees' benefits by acknowledging the theoretical holiday and offering additional perks.

Tesco and Lidl have announced that they will start their day one hour later on Monday to allow workers (and shoppers) who are feeling the effects of the previous night's festivities more time to rest and recover.

In the meantime, the popular beverage company Dash Water has announced that their staff can begin their workday at the later time of 10:30am on Monday, regardless of the result of Sunday's game.

Are Employers Required To Honor Bank Holidays?

According to the laws that govern employment, there is no compulsory rule that states employees must have time off on bank holidays. The only requirement is that they are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid holiday.

Yet, employers might consider granting employees the extra time off if they believe it is a justified reason. In the previous year, employees were given two additional, unexpected days off to observe the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III.

Companies may not be as eager to contribute to the Euro football championships. Despite some people suggesting that the England team should receive knighthoods if they emerge victorious, it is important to remember that they are not government employees.

There is also the more difficult question of whether every part of the UK should have a day off work or not. This year, Wales and Northern Ireland did not make it to the Euros, and Scotland was eliminated in the group rounds.

Most Brits Dislike The Idea Of A Bank Holiday

Based on a survey conducted by YouGov, most British people prefer to begin their workday at 9am instead of spending the day outside enjoying the sun.

When people were asked if there should be a national day off to celebrate if England wins, 51% of British individuals said no, while 49% said yes.

Not everyone is a downer when it comes to parties. The United Kingdom has been facing low productivity rates which have led to a bleak economic situation for the last couple of years.

However, a game day could be the perfect opportunity to boost consumer spending once more. Studies show that local pubs and bars have experienced a nearly 10% rise in sales during the England and Scotland matches at the Euro championships this year.

Conflicts between the countries of the United Kingdom also played a role in shaping people's opinions. Participants were also divided on whether the public holiday should be observed throughout the UK or only in England.

Out of the almost 4,000 employees who were asked, 19% support the idea of including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the celebration, while 20% believe it should be exclusive to British citizens.

How Do Flexible Bank Holidays Work?

If certain workers prefer not to work on a public holiday, businesses can implement a flexible policy. This enables employees to swap a government-mandated holiday for a more suitable date, unless the company decides to shut down entirely.

The policy benefits both sides. Workers feel confident to take their time off when they want, and the company is less likely to face staffing shortages.

However, employees may have a change of heart come Sunday. If England manages to achieve a historic victory, those who were doubtful may find themselves feeling more optimistic, especially if they also win the Euros 2024 trophy.