May Day falls on the first Monday in May and is a paid day off for most UK workers
May Day is a bank holiday in the United Kingdom, meaning most employees get the day off with pay. The date is always the first Monday in May. In 2024 it falls on May 6. In 2025 it falls on May 5. The holiday marks the arrival of spring and has roots in ancient fertility festivals, though most people today straightforward know it as a long weekend.
If you work in the private sector and your contract includes bank holidays, you will not work on May Day and will be paid your normal wage. Public sector workers — civil servants, NHS staff, teachers — also get the day off. However, some essential services continue: hospitals, police, fire services, and public transport run on reduced schedules. Retail and hospitality often stay open, though staffing levels drop and some smaller businesses close.
If May Day falls on a day you would normally work and you are required to work instead, you are may have access to to either a day off in lieu (time off on another day) or extra pay, depending on your contract. The rules vary by employer, so check your employment contract or staff handbook to know what applies to you.
Key Takeaways
- May Day is always the first Monday in May and is a paid bank holiday for most UK employees.
- Banks, post offices, and most government offices close on May Day, though hospitals and emergency services remain open.
- If your job requires you to work on a bank holiday, you must receive either a day off in lieu or additional pay.
- Schools close on May Day, and public transport runs on a reduced or Sunday-level timetable.
- Some employers may move the bank holiday to a different date if the business needs it, but this must be agreed in advance.
Which services and businesses close on May Day
Banks and building societies close entirely on May Day. Post offices close. Most government offices and local council services shut down. If you need to access these services, plan ahead — the day before is usually busy.
Schools close for the day. Universities typically close their administrative offices but may keep libraries and facilities open depending on the institution. Nurseries and childcare settings usually close, so parents need to arrange cover.
Retail varies widely. Large supermarkets and shopping centres often open with reduced hours (usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Small independent shops frequently close. Restaurants, pubs, and cafes often stay open, especially if they expect holiday trade. Always check ahead if you are planning to visit a specific business.
Public transport runs on a Sunday timetable or a reduced schedule. Trains, buses, and the London Underground operate, but services are less frequent. Some local bus routes may not run at all. Check with your local transport provider for specific times.
How May Day affects your pay and time off
If you are a salaried employee and May Day is a normal working day for you, you receive your usual pay without working. Your employer cannot deduct the day from your salary or ask you to make up the hours elsewhere unless your contract specifically allows it.
If you are paid hourly and your contract includes bank holidays as paid days, you receive your normal hourly rate for that day even though you do not work. Check your contract — some hourly roles do not include paid bank holidays, in which case you would not be paid unless you work.
If you are required to work on May Day, you are may have access to to compensation. This is either a day off in lieu (a day off on another date, usually within the next few weeks) or extra pay on top of your normal wage. Some employers offer both. The exact arrangement depends on your contract and your employer's policy. Ask your manager or HR department what applies to you.
If you work in a role where bank holidays are not standard (such as shift work in retail or hospitality), your contract should state whether you work bank holidays and what you receive if you do. If it does not, raise this with your employer before May Day arrives.
Moving or changing the May Day bank holiday
Employers can move the May Day bank holiday to a different date if there is a business reason to do so, but this must be done by agreement. They cannot straightforward move it without notice or consent. If your employer wants to move May Day, they should tell you well in advance — ideally several weeks — and the change should be documented in writing.
The government occasionally moves bank holidays for special occasions (for example, to mark a royal jubilee or coronation). When this happens, it is announced months ahead and affects the entire country. Your employer will inform you of any such change.
If your employer moves May Day without your agreement or without proper notice, this may be a breach of your employment contract. If you believe this has happened, contact ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) for guidance. ACAS offers free information on employment rights and disputes.
Planning around May Day: what to do before the holiday
If you need to visit a bank, post office, or government office, do so on the Friday before May Day. These services will be closed on the Monday and will be busy on the Friday as people plan ahead.
If you have childcare responsibilities, arrange cover now. Schools and many nurseries close, and childcare providers often do too. If you work and have no cover, speak to your employer about the day off in advance.
Check public transport timetables if you are planning to travel. Trains and buses run on reduced schedules, and some routes may not operate at all. Book tickets early if you are travelling on the Friday before or the Tuesday after, as these days are busier than usual.
If you work in a business that stays open on May Day, confirm your shift with your manager now. If you are not sure whether you are expected to work, ask. Do not assume — bank holiday working arrangements vary by role and by employer.
What happens if May Day falls on a weekend
May Day is always the first Monday in May, so it never falls on a weekend. However, if another bank holiday falls on a weekend, the government sometimes declares a substitute day off (called a "bank holiday in lieu") on the following Monday or Tuesday. This does not explore to May Day itself, but it is worth knowing if you are tracking other UK bank holidays.
The reason May Day has a fixed Monday date is that it was moved from May 1 to the first Monday in May in 1978. This change was made to may support the holiday always falls on a weekday and gives workers a consistent long weekend. Other UK bank holidays like Christmas and Boxing Day have fixed calendar dates, so they can fall on any day of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to work on May Day if my job is open?
No, unless your contract specifically says you work bank holidays. If your employer requires you to work, you must receive either a day off in lieu or extra pay. Check your employment contract or ask your manager what applies to your role.
What if my employer did not tell me I have to work May Day until the last minute?
This is poor practice and may breach your contract if it was not made clear when you were hired. Raise it with your manager or HR when ready. If the issue is not resolved, contact ACAS for free information on your rights.
Can my employer move May Day to a different date?
Yes, but only by agreement and with advance notice. The change must be documented. If your employer moves it without your consent or without proper warning, this may be a breach of your contract.
Will I be paid if I do not work on May Day?
If your contract includes bank holidays as paid days, yes — you receive your normal pay. If your contract does not include paid bank holidays, you will not be paid unless you work. Check your contract to be sure.
What if I need to access a bank or post office on May Day?
Banks and post offices are closed on May Day. Plan to visit on the Friday before or the Tuesday after. If you have an urgent banking need, some banks offer limited online services or emergency numbers for genuine emergencies.