October bank holiday ‘could motivate staff’

Having an extra bank holiday in October could motivate staff, according to the firm behind a new survey which shows that eight in ten workers would like one.

Peninsula conducted research which reveals that 92 per cent of employees believe there should be at least one new bank holiday per year.

Some 79 per cent cited October as the perfect month for it to be introduced and Peninsula put this down to the long wait between summer and the Christmas holidays.

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, said: "Providing an extra bank holiday during the year could potentially be a good way of keeping staff well motivated and rested, which can help boost productivity."

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He said it may be the time to have a "sensible" debate about the need for an extra bank holiday and the potential impact it would have on business and the wider economy.

There are eight permanent bank holidays in England and Wales at present. Right to time off and extra pay for working bank holidays depends on the terms and conditions of an individual’s employment.