Your rights regarding public holiday working - explained

22 August 2025

With the summer Bank Holiday just around the corner, here is some information to help you know your rights and regulations surrounding working hours during this period.

FAQs: Public holidays, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) and rest days

We understand that navigating Bank Holiday entitlements can be complex. This FAQ provides clear answers to common questions about payments, TOIL, and other considerations. If you have additional queries, don’t hesitate to contact your local Federation representative.

Q: What is TOIL?
A: TOIL refers to overtime worked for which payment has not been claimed. It is authorised by line management on the ERP system and governed by Police Regulations.

Q: What happens if TOIL is not used within three months?
A: If TOIL is not taken within three months of being accrued, the officer will receive payment for the unused time.

Q: How long is a rest day?
A: A rest day is equivalent to eight hours.

Q: What happens if a rest day is re-rostered or taken in lieu?
A: If the officer’s normal shift exceeds eight hours, they owe the difference between the shift and eight hours, which is managed in consultation with the officer and the RMU. However, if the normal shift is less than eight hours, the officer is credited with the difference.

Q: Can officers request changes to re-rostered RDIL dates?
A: Yes, officers can request changes if the new date assigned by the RMU is unsuitable.

 

 

Q: How is compensation managed for officers working rest days longer than eight hours?
A: Constables and sergeants are compensated as per Police Regulations. Inspecting ranks receive eight hours added to their RDIL account for working up to eight hours. If they work more than eight hours, the total number of hours worked is added to the account.

Q: What is a free day?
A: A free day is a day agreed upon as non-working, not classified as a duty day, public holiday, or rostered rest day. These typically apply to part-time officers with flexible working arrangements.

Q: How are officers compensated for working on a free day?
A: The free day is reallocated as a free day in lieu or compensated according to Police Regulations.

Q: What is the public holiday entitlement for full-time officers?
A: Full-time officers are entitled to eight hours for each public holiday.

Q: How is public holiday entitlement calculated for part-time officers?
A: It is pro-rated by dividing the average contracted weekly hours by five. For example, an officer working 32 hours per week is entitled to 6.4 hours per public holiday.

Q: What happens if an officer’s scheduled hours on a public holiday exceed their entitlement?
A: Any balance is carried forward as a credit or debit. Officers must resolve any debt by the end of the leave year through re-rostered hours, additional work, or using annual leave, flexi leave, or TOIL hours.

Q: How are public holidays reallocated when Christmas, Boxing Day, or New Year’s Day falls on a weekend?
A: Public holidays are reallocated to the next working day (e.g. Monday or Tuesday). The weekend day(s) are treated as public holidays for pay and compensation purposes, in addition to the reallocated days.

Q: Can officers substitute public holidays with alternative dates?
A: Yes, with the exception of Christmas Day, constables and sergeants can nominate alternative days for public holidays annually.

Q: Who is eligible for this substitution?
A: Inspectors and higher ranks continue to receive UK public holidays as per Police Regulations. Constables and sergeants can nominate alternatives.

Q: When should nominations for alternative dates be submitted?
A: Between August 1st and January 31st for the next leave year (April 1st to March 31st).

Q: Can officers change their nominated dates after January 31st?
A: Changes are not allowed unless approved by a line manager for legitimate reasons or if a nomination is declined and resubmission is required.

Q: What happens if an officer works on a nominated alternative public holiday?
A: They will be compensated at public holiday rates in accordance with Police Regulations.

Q: How are accrued entitlements handled if an officer leaves the Constabulary?
A: Any public holiday hours taken more or less than the entitlement will be adjusted in the final pay if there is no opportunity to resolve this during the notice period.

Q: What happens if a public holiday falls on a rest day?
A: The rest day is reallocated, and the public holiday entitlement takes precedence.

Q: What if a public holiday falls on a free day?
A: The officer receives holiday hours equivalent to their public holiday entitlement, which can be used to book time off or offset owed hours. These must be used by the end of the leave year.

If you have additional questions or need advice regarding TOIL, rest day or Bank Holiday entitlements, please contact your local Federation representative.