(23 Nov 2014, 1:12 pm)aureolin wrote To clear something up, and speaking as a senior rep of a public sector union, it's complete fantasy that the public sector has a two week switch off over Christmas. Many departments actually enforce the same leave quotas all year round, and that's been the case for at least the past 10 years. Christmas Eve half day is a custom and practice, and more of an implied term. Even those that have TUPE'd into private sector still retain that, but in both sectors, volunteers are always asked to ensure operational coverage.

Now speaking of custom and practice, that's pretty much what Bank/Public holidays are. The employer is under no obligation to give people time off for these holidays, although some workers may have this written into their contract. Many employers, especially in retail, are now including the Bank/Public holidays as part of the annual leave entitlement. I work in the private sector now, and I get Bank/Public holidays off, but that's simply because our customers aren't working either! It would be utterly pointless to bring the workforce in, and have them taking extra days off, when customers are in. It's different for public transport (whether it be in the public or private sector), as there's always a customer demand. Your customers are off work, and therefore are likely to be wanting to go somewhere.