No day off, no party, right?
Local authorities that have rejected the holiday would strongly argue they are not being party poopers but acting responsibility.
Many point out it would mean additional costs at a time when they are having to make unpopular cuts to services.
Highland councillors said giving the day off could cost the local authority an estimated £150,000.
They agreed to reject the proposal after arguing the holiday could have an impact on essential services such as bin collections and schools.
City of Edinburgh Council also rejected the one-day break.
The local authority cited concerns over an estimated £350,000 cost for the holiday.
In a cross-party vote, 35 councillors rejected the proposal, while 26 voted in favour.
A report to Inverclyde Council suggested financial implications would be about £72,000, with an additional £9,000 then going towards free school meal holiday payments for eligible carers.
It added that “while not a direct cost” the productivity losses would amount to £610,000.
The Federation of Small Businesses Scotland said employers would try to be as flexible as they always were with time off.
Director Colin Borland said: “But, realistically, if you have customers to look after and orders to fulfil, you can’t simply shut down and give everyone the day off.
“It will be a particularly busy time for lots of small businesses and self-employed people – so it will probably be all hands on deck for many bars, shops, restaurants, taxi firms and more.”
