{"id":387018,"date":"2025-11-26T13:51:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T18:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=387018"},"modified":"2025-11-26T13:13:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T18:13:16","slug":"do-companies-have-to-provide-holiday-pay","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/wages-and-benefits\/do-companies-have-to-provide-holiday-pay.html","title":{"rendered":"Do Companies Have To Provide Holiday Pay?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do Companies Have To Provide Holiday Pay?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Most companies are not required to provide holiday pay<\/span>. Federal law<\/span> does not require private employers<\/span> to offer paid holidays<\/span> or premium pay<\/span> for working on holidays. However, federal employees<\/span> receive paid <\/span>days off<\/span> for designated holidays, and some employers voluntarily offer holiday pay<\/span> as part of their benefits package.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Millions of U.S. workers look forward to paid holidays<\/span>. Many even assume they\u2019ll get a paid <\/span>day off<\/span> for holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, but what does the law say<\/a> about holiday pay<\/span>? Do companies have to pay their employees for certain holidays? Does the law require extra pay<\/span> for workers who take holiday shifts?<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll answer these and other questions related to employers\u2019 holiday pay<\/span> obligations in this article. Specific answers will depend on the details as well as state law<\/span><\/a>, but we\u2019ll cover key legal principles to illustrate the rights and obligations surrounding holiday pay<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If, for whatever reason, you suspect you\u2019ve been denied holiday pay<\/span> or benefits to which you\u2019re entitled, talk to an employment law attorney licensed in your state<\/a>. They can help you understand and protect your rights as an employee. They can also provide you with a complete picture of your options, which will likely be more encouraging than you might think.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, let\u2019s start with the basics.<\/p>\n

What Is Holiday Pay<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

Holiday pay<\/span> refers to employee compensation for certain recognized holidays<\/span>. It usually takes one of two forms:<\/p>\n