Vermont Legal Holidays Laws

By Amber Sheppard, Esq. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last updated October 02, 2024

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While getting a three-day weekend is fantastic, only some states have the same legal holidays. Vermont has a list of state holidays during the workweek. Not all Vermont employers treat holiday pay the same, and not all state agencies in Vermont get the same paid time off.

This FindLaw article summarizes legal holidays under Vermont law and which state agencies have exemptions.

Vermont State Holidays

Vermont state offices close on legal holidays. Typically, if a Vermont legal holiday falls on a Saturday, the state will observe it on the preceding Friday. If a legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the state will observe it the following Monday.

State of Vermont State Agencies

State government employees get paid time off at their hourly rate. The following is a list of state-legal holidays during a 12-month period.

This list includes:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President’s Day
Town Meeting Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Bennington Battle Day (not observed by the Department of Corrections or State Police)
Indigenous People Day (not observed by nonmanagement, supervisory units)
Labor Day
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Starting in 2025, this list includes Juneteenth.

Private Employer Exemptions

Vermont state law does not force private employers to provide paid or unpaid holiday leave. But many Vermont employers do grant at least six paid holidays. Check your employment contract to see how your company handles holidays. Some unions may barter for paid holidays off through collective bargaining agreements.

Vermont Leave Laws

If your employer or state agency requires you to work on a holiday, consider using some of the leave in your accrual time. The following are types of leave some people use to get paid for their absence on those days:

Sick leave or sick time
Vacation leave

Using the federal law of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is only for eligible employees working full time. The FMLA leave is unpaid. It allows people to take a leave of absence for health care reasons for themselves or a family member.

Vermont law allows workers to attend jury duty without retaliation from their employer. Vermont military leave allows up to 11 paid days off for active duty and reserve training for armed forces and National Guard members.

Talk to a Vermont Labor Lawyer

Understanding your holiday schedule and whether you get paid bi-weekly is important before you sign your employment agreement. Vermont labor and wage laws can confuse anyone. If you have questions, contact a Vermont employment law attorney.

See FindLaw’s Employment Law section to learn more about your rights as an employee.

Research the Law:

Vermont Code
Official State Codes — Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and D.C.