Business backing more bank holidays

UK businesses are joining the campaign for more bank holidays, saying more time off could actually increase productivity, according to a new survey released today by Croner Consulting, one of the UK’s leading providers of business advice and support.

Eighty-two percent of HR professionals polled think that standardising the number of bank holidays across the European Union would increase the performance of their employees.

Britons have eight bank holidays a year, one of the lowest numbers in Europe. And they are not a statutory entitlement, meaning employers may incorporate them into an employee’s annual leave. The minimum of twenty days paid annual leave also lags behind most other European countries.

Italy tops the paid leave league with sixteen bank holidays, followed by Iceland (15) and Spain (14). German enjoys up to fourteen, and France, eleven.

Peter Etherington, HR expert at Croner Consulting, part of Wolters Kluwer UK, says: It could be argued that more holiday will make Britain lose it’s competitive edge, but our survey shows that employers think the opposite is true.

Britain has a tradition of working hard, and is often reported as one of the hardest working nations in Europe. There is evidence to say that too much time at work could be contributing to occupational stress, absenteeism and lower productivity.

The discrepancy in the number of bank holidays compared to other European countries can make UK workers feel ’hard done by’, which could also be a demotivating factor affecting performance at work.


Arguably, more free time to spend with family, relax, pursue leisure activities and go on holiday could improve performance in the workplace, as we generally return rested and refreshed.

However, Croner Consulting is advising businesses that increasing the number of bank holidays shouldn’t be seen as a ’quick fix’ solution to improving productivity.

Peter says: While we would advise our clients to encourage employees to take their full holiday entitlement, we would not specifically advise increasing paid leave as a tool to boost productivity.

Productivity is a complex subject, influenced by numerous factors and there is no simple solution for getting the most out of workers. However, an extra day off here and there may improve morale and encourage employees to feel more motivated in their daily tasks.

Presented with the option, I think we’d all vote for one or two extra days off, and given our hard-working reputation, we evidently think we deserve it.