Pennsylvania Legal Holidays Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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Legal Holidays in General
Certain days are authorized by the federal government as legal holidays. Most federal offices are closed these days and employees receive their regular pay. Private employers often close on designated holidays, but are only required to pay non-exempt (usually salaried) workers their regular rate. Private employers are not obligated to pay employees a holiday premium (often 150 percent regular wages) if they work on those days.
Federal legal holidays include New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Pennsylvania law includes these and all other federal legal holidays.
Pennsylvania Legal Holidays
While Pennsylvania law largely mirrors federal law, it allows for some "optional" legal holidays that may be observed, including (but not limited to):
- Lincoln's Birthday (February 12)
- Good Friday
- Flag Day (June 14)
- Election Day (first Tuesday after first Monday in November)
Pennsylvania employees are not entitled to premium holiday pay under state law, but the terms of the employment contract may stipulate as such.
Get Legal Help with a Pennsylvania Wage and Hour Violation
Employers must adhere to the minimum legal requirements set forth by federal and state law with respect to wage and hour laws, in addition to any contractual agreements.Violations may result in payment of lost wages and other penalties.
Employers must provide the necessary amount of break time, allow for leave in emergency situations, keep hours under a certain limit, to name a few. If you believe you are entitled to holiday pay, as provided by the terms of your employment contract, or you have any other questions about wage and hour laws, an employment lawyer may be able to help.
The basics of Pennsylvania's legal holiday laws, with links to related content, are listed in the following table. See FindLaw's Employment Law section for additional articles and resources (for employers: Employment Law and Human Resources).
| Code Section | Tit. 44, §11 |
| Holidays | New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving; Christmas; Flag Day; Election Day |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an Pennsylvania employment law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Pennsylvania Legal Holidays Laws: Related Resources
- Fair Pay and Time Off FAQ
- Minimum Wage and Overtime Basics
- Pennsylvania Legal Research
- Pennsylvania Code
- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states
- Find an Employment Attorney
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