Discover: is Memorial Day a paid holiday? Explore common employer policies and understand your rights on this significant day of remembrance.

1. Project Management, Time Off Tracking, Time Tracking
Is Memorial Day a Paid Holiday?
Alma Reed Updated on May 13, 2024 12:14 pm
Around the end of May, employees are wont to ask themselves, “Is Memorial Day a paid holiday?” This federal
holiday is celebrated with respect and reverence all over the nation. It is a day to remember all those who
have died in military service to the United States, but what does that mean in practical terms for business and
employment?
Understanding Holiday Pay
Determine if Memorial Day is a paid holiday To determine if Memorial Day is a paid holiday, let’s first ascertain
how holiday pay works. Whether or not a holiday is paid can vary widely due to company policy, terms of the
employment contract, and state laws of the state where the company operates. How Holiday Pay Works Most
obviously, private-sector employers are not required by the law to pay a worker for time off for a holiday.
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2. Many do, though as an additional employee benefit to help hire and keep employees.
Is Easter Holiday Pay Similar?
Another technique that could help show the variability of holiday pay is by contrasting Memorial Day to other
federal public holidays, for example Easter. Easter falls on a Sunday and so is not a federal public holiday and
“No, Easter holiday pay isn’t provided” is an answer that is mostly correct to this question unless an employer
has specifically singled it out in their holiday pay policy. The holiday pay policy for Memorial Day is different
from Easter’s because Memorial Day is always on the last Monday of May and Easter is on a Sunday.
Sector Variations in Memorial Day Pay
Of course, private-sector holiday pay policies vary widely. Indeed, companies may decide whether to include
Memorial Day in paid holidays based on industry standards, competitive practices, or internal policy
considerations. But of the three, government employees at the federal, state, and local levels are the ones who
have Memorial Day as an almost universally paid holiday.
How Does Holiday Pay Work in Practice?
How does holiday pay work for those who must work on Memorial Day? For these and other workers, the
usual practice is for those who work on a Federal holiday, including Memorial Day, to be paid an extra amount
for working: time and a half, double time, holiday pay, or some other such per-hour rate that the workers
deem a bonus over the normal wage rate. This practice is more common in industries such as healthcare,
retail, or law enforcement, where 24/7 coverage is necessary.
Employee Expectations and Legal Considerations
Whether is Memorial Day a paid holiday can be better understood if both the legal context and the general
expectations from employees are examined. In the U.S., the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require
payment for holidays and considers holidays as time not worked. In many organizations, however, there is a
widely accepted expectation among employees that holidays should be paid as part of the employment
benefits. This usually emanates from the company policies or the practices of the related industry, where paid
holidays are considered the norm. Employers might also view the provision of paid holidays as a form of
motivating employees and ensuring that they stay with the organization, appreciating the value of the same in
keeping the workforce content. In addition, some sectors could involve union contracts or agreements with
such contractual stipulations, hence compelling the employer legally to pay for holidays. In this regard,
though federal law does not compel a holiday’s pay, many employees expect as such, depending on specific
work environments.

3. See Also: Productive Things to Do When Bored: 10 Engaging Activities
Conclusion: Is Memorial Day a Paid Holiday
So, is Memorial Day a paid holiday? The answer really depends a lot on the sector type and the policies of a
given employer. While employees on the federal and many state and local government payrolls are entitled to
paid time off on Memorial Day, this isn’t necessarily so for the private sector. It is also essential that employers
clearly communicate their holiday pay policies to avoid confusion, meeting the expectations of workers. It’s
good for employers and employees to be knowledgeable about how holiday pay works, especially when
employment landscapes are changing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memorial Day a paid federal holiday?
Yes, Memorial Day is a paid federal holiday for federal employees in the United States. This means federal
employees are typically given the day off with pay.
Does Memorial Day have to be paid?
For private sector employees, whether Memorial Day is a paid holiday can vary by employer. It is not
mandatory for private companies to offer paid time off for Memorial Day, though many do.
How many paid federal holidays are there?
There are 11 paid federal holidays each year in the United States.
What are the 11 paid federal holidays?
The 11 paid federal holidays in the United States are:
1. New Year's Day (January 1)
2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January)
3. Presidents' Day (third Monday in February)
4. Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
5. Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)
6. Independence Day (July 4)
7. Labor Day (first Monday in September)
8. Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
9. Veterans Day (November 11)
10. Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
11. Christmas Day (December 25)

4. Is Memorial Day a business day?
Memorial Day is generally not considered a business day in the U.S. Many businesses, especially non-essential
services, close on this day. However, some retail businesses and restaurants may remain open.
Author: Alma Reed
Alma Reed is an author and researcher dedicated to enhancing productivity. He is deeply interested in

5. areas like time management, increasing productivity, and fostering healthy routines. Through his
writing, he aims to assist people in boosting their job performance and attaining an ideal balance
between work and life.
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