We all love a paid holiday, a free day to rest, create, connect with friends, or share a meal with family. However, if you or someone you love had to work on one recently, you may have questions. Do you get paid if you don’t work on a holiday? Do the holiday hours paid, but not worked, count towards overtime? Do you get paid overtime to work it? Do all employers recognize the same holidays? Does it matter whether you work for the government or in the private sector? Holiday regulations are complicated, so let’s untangle how you can determine what you are entitled to when it comes to that welcome day off.
Federal Holidays Recognized Nationwide
Some states have designated special holidays, but generally, the federal government recognizes 11 holidays, according to the U.S. Office of Human Resources Management. These include:
- New Year’s Day on January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday on the third Monday in January
- Washington’s Birthday on the third Monday in February
- Memorial Day, falling on the last Monday in May
- Juneteenth, which is June 19
- Independence Day on July 4
- Labor Day on the first Monday in September
- Columbus Day on the second Monday in October
- Veterans’ Day falls on November 11
- Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November
- Christmas Day, falling on December 25
What! You may be saying to yourself, my employer doesn’t give us 11 holidays. That’s because, if you work for a private company, your employer does not have to give you any holidays off or with pay, although they usually do because it is good business for employee morale and for attracting great employees.
If You Work for the Federal Government
The rule is that all non-essential federal government offices close on federal holidays, as do banks and the stock market, and federal employees are paid what they would normally earn for that day—whether they are working or off. Essential federal workers who work on the holiday are given an in-lieu-of-holiday replacement day off. Federal workers with intermittent schedules do not receive paid holidays, and part-time federal workers do not get replacement days if the holiday falls on a day they are not scheduled to work.
If You Work in the Private Sector
Most private sector employees receive paid holidays for New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, although it is not required. Some private employers pay employees overtime wages for working holidays, but that is also not required unless your hours for that week exceed 40.
How Our Attorneys Can Help You
Because the rules for government employees differ from those for private sector employees, your boss can purposely confuse the issue of paid holidays, and it won’t be in your favor. If you believe you have been wronged over holiday policy, trust your instinct and contact us. We offer a free review of your situation, no matter where you live and work, and it’s as simple as using the chat or submitting a form.
Being cheated out of your holidays is unfair and demoralizing. We are here to right the wrongs employers commit by representing you before regulatory boards or suing your employer.
