Don’t Let Your Tech Take a Holiday Too!
Ahh, the sweet relief of a bank holiday. Whether you’re planning a BBQ (weather permitting), escaping for a long weekend, or simply enjoying a well-earned lie-in, there’s something magical about those extra days off.
But while you might be off, your business tech doesn’t clock out unless you tell it to.
With that in mind, here’s your friendly Nxt Gen reminder to prep your phone system and Outlook before you head off into the bank holiday bliss.
When are the UK Bank Holidays in 2025?
Here’s the full list for England and Wales:
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday 1 January
- Good Friday – Friday 18 April
- Easter Monday – Monday 21 April
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday 5 May
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 26 May
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 25 August
- Christmas Day – Thursday 25 December
- Boxing Day – Friday 26 December
(Scotland and Northern Ireland friends, yours may vary – don’t get caught out!)
Update Your Phone Systems
We’ve seen it time and time again… a company closes for the bank holiday, but their phone system didn’t get the memo. Customers are left listening to endless ringing or being told the office is open when it’s not.
👉 At Nxt Gen, we can set up automated messages, holiday call routing, and voicemail forwarding. so even when you’re out, your callers aren’t left hanging.
Pro tip: If you’re using a cloud-based VoIP system like 3CX, changes can be made remotely. It’s literally a few clicks.
Don’t Forget the OOO (Out of Office!)
Setting your Out of Office email reply in Outlook should be as routine as grabbing your umbrella before a May bank holiday weekend.
How to Set Your Out of Office in Outlook:
- Go to File → Automatic Replies
- Choose “Send automatic replies”
- Set your message and your date/time range
🎉 BONUS TIP:
Did you know you can set your OOO directly from the Outlook app on your phone?
Just head to:
- Outlook App → Tap the menu (top left)
- Tap the Settings cog → Select your account
- Tap Automatic Replies and set it from there
Even if you’re halfway to Cornwall, you’re still covered.
Final Thoughts
Taking time off is important, but so is making sure your tech is prepped. It’s a small task that avoids confusion, missed calls, and awkward “sorry, we’re closed” moments.
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” – Bobby Unser
Nxt Steps
Need help setting your phone system up for bank holidays? Not sure where to find that pesky Out of Office setting on your phone?
We’ve got you.
Get in touch with the team at Nxt Gen IT – we’ll walk you through it or do it for you. Simple, stress-free, and sorted before your weekend even starts.
Ben helps growing businesses turn technology into a driver of performance instead of a barrier. At Nxt Gen IT he works with SME leaders, recruiters, and fast-scaling teams to design solutions that improve reliability, strengthen security, and unlock growth.
With a background in email deliverability and cloud systems, Ben specialises in making sure businesses communicate effectively, keep data safe, and get the most from Microsoft 365. His experience spans solution design, managed IT services, and virtual CIO support, always with a focus on practical outcomes that reduce headaches for business owners.
Ben has supported organisations across the UK, from recruitment agencies struggling with inbox placement to SaaS firms scaling fast, and SMEs needing a trusted partner for their IT. He believes tech is never the end goal: growth is. His role is to make sure technology never gets in the way of it.