Holidays don’t come everyday out of 365 days, so, most people are always happily waiting for these days. This year, the federal holidays in the United States fall on certain dates.
If you are an employee or a staff who’d love to know when the federal holidays in the USA would fall on.
Federal holidays in the United States
Federal holidays in the United States are calendar dates that are designated by the U.S. government as holidays. On U.S. federal holidays, non-essential federal government offices are closed and federal they pay government employees for the holiday.
There are a total of 11 federal holidays.
The United States Congress designates federal holidays in Title V of the United States Code (5 U.S.C. § 6103).
Congress only has the authority to create holidays for federal institutions (including federally owned properties), employees, and the District of Columbia.
Although not required, as a general rule of courtesy, other institutions, such as banks, businesses, schools, and the stock market may be closed on federal holidays.
In various parts of the country, states and city they may observe concurrently holidays with federal holidays.
What Does it Mean for a Holiday to be “Federal”?
Holidays aren’t all the same. Some are federal, some are religious, and some are meaningless (you might have heard of National Pie Day or National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day.)
As an employer, the most important 2021 holidays to know will be federal holidays. Federal Holidays are holidays that law has established (5 U.S.C. 6103).
Government offices and banks are closed in observance of these holidays.
Because the U.S. has deemed these specific days federal holidays, it encourages other businesses to also close so that observance of that particular holiday can be experienced by all.
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What are the Dates for Federal Holidays in 2023?
Next year, the federal holidays in the United States fall on the following dates:
2023 Federal Holidays
2023 Holiday ScheduleDateHolidayMonday, January 2*New Year’s DayMonday, January 16Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.Monday, February 20**Washington’s BirthdayMonday, May 29Memorial DayMonday, June 19Juneteenth National Independence DayTuesday, July 4Independence DayMonday, September 4Labor DayMonday, October 9Columbus DayFriday, November 10*Veteran’s DayThursday, November 23Thanksgiving DayMonday, December 25Christmas Day
Key Takeaways for Holiday Calendar Business Planning
You can count on federal holidays being on these days every year:
New Year’s Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Third Monday in January)
President’s Day (Third Monday in February)
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
Juneteenth (June 19)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (First Monday in September)
Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)
Veteran’s Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
Christmas Day (December 25)
Does your State Celebrate Other Holidays?
Certain U.S. states have their own state-wide holidays that are observed by state governments and banks. Some of these include:
Nevada’s Nevada Day — the last Friday in October of every year
Georgia’s Founding Day — a holiday that celebrates its founding on February 12, 1733
Wisconsin has several — Casimir Pulaski Day on March 4, and Robert La Follette Sr. Day on June 14
Hawaii Native Royalty — March 26 and June 11
Do I Have to Give Employees Time Off on Federal Holidays?
As an employer, you do not have to give employees federal holidays off, unless you’re a financial institution or government entity.
Currently, there is no federal law that requires employers to give their workers a holiday off of work. It’s usually done at the employer’s merit (except for banks and government.)
Additionally, if an employer does give their employees holidays off, they’re not required by the law to pay employees for that time.
That said, just because it’s not a requirement for employers to give employees holidays off, or pay for any time off, there’s a reason why most employers offer it as an employee benefit.
Time off can be used as a way to keep employees happy, productive, and satisfied. In today’s war for talent, it’s become more important than ever to do so.
Do I Have to Pay My Employees for Holidays?
While not required, there are many benefits to employers to offer paid time off to employees on federal holidays.
The biggest being that it aids in attracting and retaining top talent, and contributes to job satisfaction. It can offer more good than harm, and all it takes to accommodate is a little looking and planning ahead.
With the great resignation upon us, doing everything you can to keep your employees happy, motivated and from leaving is critical. Paid Holidays are the minimum standard, be sure you are at least offering that as a workplace benefit.
Can Federal Employees Receive Paid Leave for Religious Holidays?
Federal employees are permitted to modify their work schedules to accommodate religious observances that require them to abstain from work during regular working hours.
Common examples of this are Jewish employees taking off for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur or Muslim employees taking off work for Eid Ul-Fitr.
When an employee takes off work for religious observance, they are required to make up the time or take personal leave.
The hours worked in lieu of a regular working schedule may not entitle the employee to premium pay (for working on a weekend or overtime).
Employees are required to provide a written request for schedule adjustment. The request must state the schedule adjustment is for a religious holiday and must state when the time will be made up.
Supervisors are required to approve religious leave unless the adjusted schedule would “interfere with the efficient accomplishment of the agency’s mission.”
Note: Federal holidays are supposed to be non-religious. Christmas is the only federal holiday directly related to religion. There have been objections to this in the past, but changes are unlikely.
Which Days are Federal Holidays?
Is Inauguration Day a Federal Holiday?
On Inauguration Day, federal employees who work in Washington, D.C.; Montgomery County, MD; Prince George’s County, MD; Arlington County, VA; Fairfax County, VA; Arlington City, VA; or Fairfax City, VA.
And who are regularly scheduled to work that day receive paid administrative leave?
Inauguration day is January 20th each fourth year (2013, 2017, 2021, 2025, etc). January 20, 2013, was a Sunday so no one received paid time off then.
Is Good Friday a Federal Holiday?
No, Good Friday and Easter Monday are not Federal Holidays. All federal holidays are non-religious (other than Christmas Day). Note: The New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading on Good Friday.
Read Also: Federal vs. Religious Holidays
There are eleven Federal Holidays recognized by the United States Government. These days, all non-essential government employees are off work, and most government offices (including post offices) are closed.
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