Workers need bank holiday to combat stress
Mon 27 Oct 2008
Tired employees need a new bank holiday to help fight workplace stress, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has claimed.
Supported by voluntary organisations, the union has proposed a new Community Day bank holiday in late October.
The day would help "cheer up workers across the UK worried about the recession and their jobs".
"Community Day would recognise the importance of local communities in holding society together, and celebrate that there is more to life than consumption during these difficult economic times," said general secretary Brendan Barber.
By having the proposed day-off in late October, employers would get a break from a four-month period to Christmas, which currently has no bank holidays.
The day would not just be one of rest, however. The TUC has said it could be used to encourage volunteering and community activities.
Executive director of UK volunteering charity CSV, Dame Elisabeth Hoodless, is fully behind the proposal.
She said: "Volunteering re-energises workers at all levels and improves skills of communication, team-building and problem-solving."
Even so, according to the Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform there is no statutory right to time off for bank and public holidays.
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