Although bank holidays are widely observed, by law companies are under no obligation to give their employees extra time off on these days at all. The right to time off or extra pay on bank holiday is legally dependent on the terms of employment stated in an employee's contract.
Most believe that giving employees more rest and time for recuperation from work is likely to make them more productive. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has long-been lobbying the government for an autumn bank holiday to bridge the 16-week stretch to Christmas, however there is no sign of it materialising.
Bank Holidays in England and Wales 2012
New Years Day (Jan 2nd) Good Friday (April 6th) Easter Monday (April 9th) Early May Bank Holiday (May 7th) Spring Bank Holiday (June 4th) Queen's Diamond Jubilee (June 5th) Summer Bank Holiday (August 27th) Christmas Day Holiday (December 25th) Boxing Day Holiday (December 26th)