2020 Holidays - Barbados
Barbados workweek and weekend
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Workday | Weekend | Weekend |
Barbados Public Holiday Observance Rules
1. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend
- If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday.
- If a public holiday falls on a Saturday, it remains on that day, and there is no automatic substitution.
2. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Saturday
- The holiday is observed on the same Saturday, and it is not moved to Monday.
- Government offices, schools, and most businesses that operate Monday–Friday will not be affected.
- Essential services and tourism-related businesses may remain open, with holiday pay policies in place.
3. When a Public Holiday Falls on a Sunday
- The holiday is automatically observed on Monday, ensuring that workers receive a weekday off.
- This rule applies to holidays such as Independence Day (November 30th) and Christmas Day (December 25th).
4. Bridge Holidays (Long Weekends)
- Barbados does not have an automatic system of bridge holidays, but long weekends are common when holidays fall on Sundays.
- If a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, the government does not automatically declare Monday or Friday as a holiday, but some employers may allow time off.
5. Special Cases for Public Holidays
- Good Friday and Easter Monday: These holidays always create a long weekend as they fall on a Friday and Monday.
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day (December 25th & 26th): If Christmas falls on a Sunday, both Christmas and Boxing Day are moved, ensuring two consecutive weekdays off.
- Independence Day (November 30th): If it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on Monday. If it falls on a Saturday, it remains on that day.
- Errol Barrow Day (January 21st): This holiday is moved to Monday if it falls on a Sunday but remains unchanged if on a Saturday.
6. Additional Notes
- The Barbadian government publishes an official public holiday schedule each year, specifying which holidays will be moved.
- Private-sector businesses generally follow the official holiday schedule, though tourism-related industries often remain open.
- Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to overtime pay (double pay) or a compensatory rest day.
- Barbados follows British-based holiday traditions but also observes national holidays unique to the country.