Thousands of Irish workers could be entitled to compensation or day off for working May Bank Holiday Monday
A VAST majority of public workers are off on Monday for the May Bank Holiday as it is a statutory holiday.
However, that's not the case for everyone, as a few thousand Irish workers are not guaranteed the time off from work on the day.
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People working on a public holiday are entitled to some compensation
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Businesses, such as shops and restaurants, remain open as normal on the public holiday.
And many of those who are scheduled to work on Monday are entitled to some kind of compensation.
Irish workers are entitled to an additional day's pay or a day off in lieu of the public
Alternatively, they could be allowed to take an extra day for annual leave.
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Citizens Information states that part-time
Additionally, they declare that a part-time worker who meets the requirements will receive payment for the day even if they are not working.
They will be eligible for an extra day's salary if they work on the holiday.
The experts said: "If you don't normally work on a certain day but it's a public holiday, you should get paid one-fifth of your weekly pay.
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"Even if you never work on public holidays, you still get paid a fifth of your weekly pay as compensation for the public holiday."
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Part-time employees on sick leave are still entitled to the public holiday they have missed, but this is only the case if they have worked a total of 40 hours in the past five weeks.
Full-time workers on sick leave during the public holiday are entitled to the benefit for the holiday they missed.
Citizens Information said: "Your employer can also choose to regard you as not on sick leave on the public holiday and pay you as normal for the public holiday.
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"If this is the case, the public holiday is not counted as a sick leave day."
You are also entitled to leave for any public holidays that occur while you are on maternity leave, parental leave, paternity leave, adoptive leave, parent's leave or domestic violence leave.
LIST OF IRELAND'S BANK HOLIDAYS FOR 2025
Wednesday, January 1 – New Year's Day
Monday, February 3 – St Brigid's Day
Monday, March 17 – St Patrick's Day
Monday, April 21 – Easter Monday
Monday, May 5 – May Day
Monday, June 2 – June Bank Holiday
Monday, August 4 – August Bank Holiday
Monday, October 27 – October Bank Holiday
Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
Friday, December 26 – St Stephen's Day
However, they are not entitled to public holiday benefits if they were absent from work immediately before the public holiday and their absence is:
Over 13 weeks, due to lay off or some other reason and authorised by your employer
Due to a strike
After the first 13 weeks of carer's leave
LAID OFF OR NOT RECEIVING YOUR BENEFIT?
If you are laid off or short-time working, you are still employed by your employer and your contract of employment remains in force, meaning you are entitled to benefits for any public holiday that occurs during the first 13 weeks.
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If you have worked for your employer for the last four weeks and your employment ends during the week on the day before a public holiday, you should receive an extra day's salary for the public holiday.
This also covers part-time workers who have put in at least 40 hours over the last five weeks.
In an event where a person is not receiving their public holiday entitlement, they should discuss this with their employer.
Alternatively, they can also complain to the WRC under the Organisation of Working Time Act using the online complaint form within six months of the dispute or complaint occurring.
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