Creating Inclusive and Respectful Bank Holiday Policies
By SleekHR – Your DEI-Focused UK HR Partner
What is Easter Monday?
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is observed as a bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. While it follows a Christian tradition commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it’s also widely recognised as a public day off for rest, reflection, and family time.
For many people in the UK, religious or not, Easter Monday is an important cultural moment. But in today’s increasingly diverse workplaces, how we approach holidays like Easter Monday matters.
Why It’s Important for DEI and Inclusive HR
As an organisation in the UK, your team may include:
- Practicing Christians for whom Easter holds deep spiritual meaning
- Non-religious individuals who observe the bank holiday socially
- Employees from other religious or cultural backgrounds who may not celebrate Easter but do celebrate other holidays (like Eid, Diwali, or Passover)
Being intentional about how you talk about, celebrate, or manage time off around Easter can make a big difference in creating a respectful and equitable work culture.
Considerations for Small Businesses
- Be clear about leave policies
Whether your business is closing or operating on reduced hours, communicate early. Let your team know how the holiday impacts working patterns and expectations. - Use inclusive language
Instead of assuming everyone celebrates, use inclusive phrasing like:
“For those observing Easter or taking time off this weekend, we wish you a restful break.”
- Acknowledge diverse needs
Just as Easter Monday is a public holiday, employees from other faiths may appreciate flexibility around their own holy days. Floating holiday policies can help create equity in religious observance. - Consider mental health and wellbeing
Whether or not people observe Easter, a long weekend can be an opportunity to pause, reset, and reflect. Encourage your team to use the time meaningfully, even just to rest.
FAQs from Employers & HR Teams
Q: Is Easter Monday a statutory holiday?
It’s a bank holiday, but employees are not automatically entitled to paid time off unless it’s written into their contract or company policy.
Q: What should I do if my business needs to stay open?
Communicate clearly, offer alternative rest days where possible, and be fair in how you assign duties, especially if some employees are working across different religious or cultural holidays.
Q: How do I balance Easter with other faith-based holidays?
This is where DEI comes in. Review your calendar policies and consider a mix of fixed (bank) and flexible holidays to ensure fairness.
SleekHR Tips for an Inclusive Easter Monday
- Acknowledge the holiday in your team communications
- Be mindful of different beliefs in how you talk about it
- Offer flexibility for those working over the weekend
- Reflect on your wider holiday and leave policy through a DEI lens
How SleekHR Can Help
At SleekHR, we specialise in helping small businesses create fair, inclusive, and flexible people policies. We can support you in:
- Creating culturally inclusive holiday calendars
- Designing flexible leave policies that work for all faiths and backgrounds
- Offering training on inclusive communications and DEI practices
Wishing You a Peaceful Easter Holidays!
Whether you’re observing the holiday spiritually, socially, or simply taking time to recharge, SleekHR wishes you a restful and reflective Holidays!
Let’s continue building workplaces where every belief, background, and person is seen and supported.
Need help with inclusive holiday policies? Visit www.sleekhr.co.uk or get in touch today.
