Councillors in East Renfrewshire are set to rule on whether workers will get an extra bank holiday during the World Cup — at a cost of £48,000.
First Minister John Swinney’s request for an additional national holiday, to mark Scotland’s men’s team first appearance in the international football tournament since 1998, was approved by the King.
Councils must decide for themselves whether to give their employees the day off on Monday, June 15. Scotland’s first game, against Haiti in Boston, kicks off on Sunday, June 14 at 2am UK time.
Officials at East Renfrewshire Council have drawn up a report which sets out the impact of the proposal, and councillors are expected to make a decision on Wednesday, February 25.
Council services would run at usual bank holiday levels if the move is approved, which includes the closure of schools and early years centres.
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The report states: “When deciding whether to award the additional holiday, the council should balance the £48k cost, service disruption, including childcare challenges and inconsistency across Scotland against staff and public sentiment.
“There are existing procedures in place for local government employees who wish to mark the occasion to request annual leave.
“It should be noted, however, that this is not an option for all employees, including some who provide frontline services and those who work in schools and early years centres.”
Only Scottish Government public sector employees automatically receive this day off. City of Edinburgh Council has said it will not recognise the bank holiday, while Glasgow City Council is expected to grant the day off but is yet to make a formal decision.
East Renfrewshire’s report continues: “The football game is in the early hours of Sunday morning, so employees would still be able to watch it without any impact on work.
“Local government employees could still choose to apply for annual leave on 15 June if no public holiday is declared. Although managers would make every effort to accommodate such requests, there is no guarantee that all could be accommodated, given service needs.
“Teachers and almost all school and early years centre staff cannot take annual leave because they follow a term-time calendar.”
It adds the estimated cost of granting the holiday is £48,000, based on “the last additional public holiday and updated to current pay rates”.
Officials also state the holiday could create extra childcare pressure for parents and residents, as many employers will not offer the holiday.
