On the UK’s long weekend

Britain has been swathed with bunting – red, white and blue everywhere: this weekend marks the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – Queen Elizabeth II has spent 60 years as Queen of Britain and the Commonwealth.

Whether individuals have royalist or republican tendencies, or even don’t care much at all, Monday and Tuesday (4th and 5^th of June) mark an extended four day weekend – a national holiday.

People will celebrate it as they see fit, many holding street parties (although rain is predicted).

For those doing business with anyone in the UK, it is as well to be aware that many offices and factories will be closed, and that some shop opening hours will be affected (although, for the most part, retailers are likely to make the most of people being available to spend and many are already announcing ‘sales’). Many offices will already be closed for the weekend.

For many, taking a full week off, but only using up three days of their precious holiday allowance is too good an opportunity to miss, and many will be taking extended holidays (some of which have already started).

If you’re in the UK and working with others overseas, we advise letting them know what your plans are. If you are based outside of the UK, you might like to ask any UK-based colleagues what their plans are. It will give you not only practical information (when they will and won’t be working), but some clues as to the preferences and personality of the person you’re working with – valuable for establishing a productive working relationship.

For us at Global Integration, many of our senior European team of Training consultants are based in the UK, and will be celebrating accordingly. Our US and Asian teams will be operating as normal.

If you want to meet anyone in person over the coming weeks, do reach out via your closest local office.  We have people headed for German, St Louis (US) and Belgium amongst other places.

And if you’re in the UK, have a lovely weekend. Enjoy the break.