Holidays

A Holidays policy explains which paid holidays your organization observes, who's eligible for holiday pay, how observed dates and scheduling work, when employees may need to work a holiday, and how holiday time interacts with PTO, overtime calculations, and religious accommodations.

How to Write a Holidays Policy

• Start with "why" and introduce the concept.
• Define who is eligible for holiday time off and holiday pay.
• State whether holidays are paid and how pay is calculated.
• List the holidays your organization observes.
• Explain how your organization observes holidays that fall on weekends.
• Describe any attendance or scheduling requirement to receive holiday pay.
• Explain how holiday pay works for part-time schedules.
• Address working on a holiday and what additional pay or alternate time off applies.
• Clarify how holiday hours affect overtime calculations.
• Explain options and the request process for religious observances not on the holiday calendar.

For advice on writing a Holidays policy in a specific jurisdiction, see below.