I called Acas regarding this and they said you are not automatically entitled to them. I have added the Bank Holiday remaining for this year onto the start of my maternity leave and I will claim back the ones in 2009 before I return back to work, but I think it is up to your employer. My DH also works beside me and he is not allowed to claim back Bank hols for his paternity leave if it falls over Xmas and New year, so he is planning to take off 1st 2 weeks in Jan.

Company policy doesn't have to be written, so if its generally done then you are entitled to it (or its discrimination agains you).

I get 25 days holidays plus bank holidays (bank holidays are not stated on my contract and it is not mentioned anywhere in company policy that an employee on maternity leave should accrue bank holidays) but have been given them to use anyway - might be worth a chance asking about them anyway.

xxx

You can only add on BH days if it is company policy or your contract gives you provision for it, for example, if you are given 28days hols to use whenever, but not if normally get 20days plus bank holidays. 

So even tho they arent till next year i can still add them on to maternity leave this year?

Yep and you can stick any other bank holidays that might fall during maternity leave (Easter holidays etc) on too as you are entitled to these aswell

x

Haha ideal plonk them on there!

yeah i think i can, just wanted to see what everyone else is doing.. im the manager of my branch so have to do my own maternity paperwork eekkk!

They say that you have the right to claim them and that you can add them onto your annual leave - best get it checked before though

Im leaving on 8th November.. can i add the 3 xmas bank holiday days onto the start of my mat leave? all it says in my maternity pack is i accrue them as normal during mat leave