Federal holidays are 11 annual dates designated by the U.S. government under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. On these days, federal offices close, and many private sector employers, banks, and schools follow suit.
Operational Planning: Federal offices, banks, and national markets generally close on these dates—impacting staffing and business continuity.
Employee Benefits: Employers often offer paid leave or holiday pay on federal holidays, though it’s not legally mandated for private-sector businesses.
Policy Clarity: Consistent observance of federal holidays supports equitable scheduling practices and internal communication standards.
Best Practices for Employer Implementation
Clearly define in policy which federal holidays the company observes and whether employees receive paid time off.
Communicate early, including observance days and schedule adjustments.
Plan ahead for weekend holidays, adjusting holiday schedules proactively.
Consider floating holidays or PTO, especially for less commonly observed dates like Juneteenth or Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
