Everyone looks forward to a holiday, especially when it’s considered paid time off. However, many employees are shocked to learn that no federal law or regulation mandates employers to offer this benefit.
In fact, businesses are under no obligation to pay their team for hours not worked during holiday closures.
What HR Experts Recommend
Paid time off (PTO) is a benefit allotted to most employees. PTO allows your team to relax, recharge, and achieve a healthy work-life balance. This is especially important in the dental, optometry, medical, and other healthcare fields where caring for patients doesn’t leave much time for caring for yourself.
Many healthcare practices, businesses, and HR professionals find closing during a federal holiday is right. In a recent study, extra paid time off for holidays is one of the benefits employees list as appreciating the most, and an easy way to attract and retain top talent as an employer.
Click here to download a free 2024 HR Calendar
What’s New for 2024? What You Need to Know:
Whether you decide to offer paid time off for holidays or not, make sure your employee handbook clearly outlines the policy. It’s important that you provide your team with details on which days your practice is closed and how they will or will not be paid during that time. This includes medical and dental practices that are open on holidays for emergency appointments. Be as clear as possible to prevent any misunderstandings, conflicts, or employee claims.
The 11 Federal Holidays Observed in 2024
Below is a list of the 11 federal holidays observed in the United States as of 2024. Be sure to take note of holidays that fall on a week day in case you want to close your office for additional time off.
- New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1 (observed)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 15
- George Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day): Monday, February 19
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 27
- Juneteenth: Wednesday, June 19
- Independence Day: Thursday, July 4
- Labor Day: Monday, September 2
- Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Monday, October 14
- Veterans Day: Monday, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28
- Christmas Day: Monday, December 25
Other Business-Related Dates
- January 15, 2024: Deadline for filing W-2 forms with the IRS
- February 12, 2024: Deadline for filing Form 1099-MISC with the IRS
- March 15, 2024: Deadline for filing individual income tax returns
- April 15, 2024: Deadline for filing quarterly estimated tax payments for businesses
- June 15, 2024: Deadline for filing second quarter estimated tax payments for businesses
- September 15, 2024: Deadline for filing third quarter estimated tax payments for businesses
- January 15, 2025: Deadline for filing fourth quarter estimated tax payments for businesses
IRS Deadlines
Here is a list of important IRS deadlines for the 2024 tax year:
Individual Filers
- January 31, 2024: Deadline for filing W-2 forms with the IRS
- February 12, 2024: Deadline for filing Form 1099-MISC with the IRS
- April 15, 2024: Deadline for filing individual income tax returns
- October 15, 2024: Extended deadline for filing individual income tax returns
Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments
- April 15, 2024: Deadline for first quarter estimated tax payment
- June 15, 2024: Deadline for second quarter estimated tax payment
- September 15, 2024: Deadline for third quarter estimated tax payment
- January 15, 2025: Deadline for fourth quarter estimated tax payment
Businesses
- March 15, 2024: Deadline for filing S corporation income tax returns (Form 1120-S)
- March 15, 2024: Deadline for filing C corporation income tax returns (Form 1120)
- April 15, 2024: Deadline for filing partnership income tax returns (Form 1065)
Quarterly Payroll and Excise Tax Returns
- January 31, 2024: Deadline for fourth quarter 2024 payroll and excise tax returns
- April 30, 2024: Deadline for first quarter 2024 payroll and excise tax returns
- July 31, 2024: Deadline for second quarter 2024 payroll and excise tax returns
- October 31, 2024: Deadline for third quarter 2024 payroll and excise tax returns
Click here to download a free 2024 HR Calendar
Paid Holidays for your Employer:
For holidays specific to your employer, you’ll need to refer to your company’s employee handbook or benefits policy. Some companies may offer additional paid holidays beyond the federal ones, while others may only recognize a subset of them.
Here are some resources to help you find your employer’s holiday schedule:
- Employee handbook: This document outlines your company’s policies and procedures, including paid holidays
- Benefits portal: Many companies have an online portal where employees can access their benefits information, including holiday schedules.
- Human resources department: You can contact your HR department directly to inquire about your specific company’s paid holidays
What You Need to Know About State Holidays
It’s important to note that there is no requirement by law to observe federal holidays or pay employees when they take these days off. In general, the same sentiment applies to state holidays.
That being said, we still believe reviewing state laws and regulations related to paid holidays is critical. Why? Several states require certain types of businesses and industries to close on specified federal holidays. In fact, some states even require businesses to observe one or more state holidays and have legislation to protect these mandates.
Healthcare & Dental Holidays
February
- February 9: Toothache Day
- February 28: Tooth Fairy Day
March
- First full week of March: Dental Assistants Recognition Week
- March 6: Dentist Day
May
- First full week of May: National Nurses Week
- Second Wednesday of May: Root Canal Day
- May 14-20: National Mental Health Awareness Week
- May 16-June 16: National Smiles MonthJune
- June 11: National Dental Hygienist Day
- Third full week of June: National Medical Assistants Recognition Week
July
- First full week of July: National Health Care Week
August
- First full week of August: National Immunization Awareness Week
October
- First full week of October: National Pharmacist Week
- Second full week of October: National Mental Illness Awareness Week
- Third full week of October: National Allied Health Professionals Week
November
- Third week of November: National Diabetes Month
- November 13: World Kindness Day
- November 17: National American Indian Health Awareness Month
December
- First week of December: National Influenza Vaccination Week
- December 7: National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
- December 12: National Universal Health Coverage Day
More Ways to Celebrate with Your Team: 2024 Unofficial Holidays
Looking for more ways to celebrate with your team in 2024? There are a number of unofficial dates that aren’t considered federal holidays but are still worth putting on the calendar. After all, who doesn’t want an excuse to celebrate? Check out some of the most popular unofficial holidays here:
January:
- National Hugging Day (Jan 21): Spread the warmth with a friendly embrace!
- National Hot Chocolate Day (Jan 31): Warm up with a mug of this comforting drink.
February:
- National Pizza Day (Feb 9): Celebrate one of the world’s most beloved foods!
- Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb 17): Make someone’s day with a selfless gesture.
March:
- International Waffle Day (Mar 25): Stack them high and drizzle with your favorite toppings.
- National Puppy Day (Mar 23): Shower your furry friend with extra love and treats.
April:
- National Tell a Joke Day (Apr 1): Let the laughter flow with your best corny jokes.
- National Hug a Tree Day (Apr 28): Show your appreciation for these leafy giants.
May:
- National Star Wars Day (May 4): May the Fourth be with you! Dress up, watch the saga, and celebrate all things Star Wars.
- National Dance Like a Chicken Day (May 14): Embrace your inner fowl and get your groove on.
June:
- National Donut Day (Jun 7): Treat yourself to a sweet, fluffy donut (or two!).
- National Make Music Day (Jun 21): Unleash your inner musician, no matter your skill level.
July:
- National Ice Cream Day (Jul 17): Beat the heat with a scoop (or three) of your favorite flavor.
- National Shark Awareness Day (Jul 14): Learn about these fascinating creatures and advocate for their protection.
August:
- National Watermelon Day (Aug 3): Enjoy this refreshing summer fruit in all its juicy glory.
- National Read a Book Day (Aug 6): Curl up with a good book and escape into another world.
September:
- International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept 19): Arrr, matey! Channel your inner pirate with swashbuckling tales and piratey lingo.
- National Coffee Day (Sept 29): Celebrate the fuel that keeps so many of us going.
October:
- National Dress Up Your Pet Day (Oct 1): Let your furry friend join in the fun with a playful costume.
- National Pumpkin Day (Oct 26): Carve, decorate, and devour all things pumpkin!
November:
- National Sandwich Day (Nov 3): Stack your favorite ingredients between two slices of bread for a delicious lunch.
- National Write a Letter Day (Nov 7): Put pen to paper and express yourself through handwritten words.
December:
- National Ugly Sweater Day (Dec 15): Embrace the kitsch and rock your most outrageous festive knit.
- National Make Up Your Own Holiday Day (Dec 26): Get creative and invent your own unique celebration!
This is just a sampling, and there are many other unofficial holidays to discover throughout the year. So, explore, have fun, and let your imagination run wild!
According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it’s mandatory for you to make accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs, unless it would cause undue hardship to your practice.
Click here to download a free 2024 HR Calendar
Need to reference the 2023 paid holidays? Here you go!
2023 Federal Holidays
- Monday, January 2 — New Year’s Day (observed)
- Monday, January 16 — Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
- Monday, February 20 — Presidents’ Day
- Monday, May 29 — Memorial Day
- Monday, June 19 — Juneteenth
- Tuesday, July 4 — Independence Day
- Monday, September 4 — Labor Day
- Monday, October 9 — Columbus Day
- Friday, November 10 — Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 23 — Thanksgiving Day
- Monday, December 25 — Christmas Day
2023 State-Specific Holidays
- January 16 — Robert E. Lee’s Birthday observed in Alabama & Mississippi
- February 13 — Lincoln’s Birthday observed in Connecticut, Illinois, Missouri, & New York
- February 20 — Daisy Gatson Bates Day observed in Arkansas
- February 21 — Mardi Gras observed in Louisiana & parts of Alabama, Florida, & Mississippi
- March 2 — Texas Independence Day observed in Texas
- March 7 — Town Meeting Day observed in Vermont
- March 31 — Cesar Chavez Day observed in parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington, & Wisconsin
- April 17 — Emancipation Day observed in D.C.
- April 17 — Patriot’s Day observed in Maine & Massachusetts
- April 28 — Arbor Day observed in Nebraska
- May 10 — Confederate Memorial Day observed in South Carolina
- June 20 — West Virginia Day observed in West Virginia
- July 24 — Pioneer Day observed in Utah
- August 14 — Victory Day observed in Rhode Island
- August 16 — Bennington Battle Day observed in Vermont
- October 9 — Indigenous People’s Day observed in 28 states
- October 18 — Alaska Day observed in Alaska
- November 7 — Election Day observed in New Jersey & Virginia
- December 1 — Rosa Parks Day observed in Alabama
- Be sure to add any of these local or state holidays to your office calendar as applicable.
Looking for More HR Help?
The experienced HR professionals with HR for Health can help you navigate the complexities of federal and state holiday regulations. If you’re struggling with PTO, paperwork, calculating overtime, or distributing benefits, let HR for Health help. Reach out to us today.
