Policy 353: Holidays with Pay
Category: Human Resources
Subcategory: Benefits
Covered Individuals: Benefit-Eligible Employees
Responsible Executive: Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services
Policy Custodian: Office of Human Resources, Associate Vice President of HumanResources
Last Revised: 2022/10/14
Previous USU Policy Number: N/A
Download the PDF File for Policy 353
353.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
In compliance with the Utah Board of Higher Education, Utah State University (USU) has designated specific days to be observed as university holidays. Benefit-eligible employees are given 13 paid holidays each year (USU Policy 387: Benefited Employment).
353.2 POLICY
2.1 Holidays
The specific dates of paid holidays for each year will be established by the University Calendar Committee. These dates will be posted at least 12 months prior to the start of each calendar year on the USU Holiday Calendar website.
The university designates the following as paid holidays:
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Third Monday in January |
| Presidents’ Day | Third Monday in February |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May |
| Juneteenth National Freedom Day | Third Monday in June |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Pioneer Day | July 24 |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Day After Thanksgiving | Friday after Thanksgiving |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
| USU Holiday Break | Two (2) additional days as recommended by the University Calendar Committee and approved by the president. |
2.2 Variations in Standard Holiday Schedule
University holidays that occur on Saturday will be observed the preceding Friday. Holidays that occur on Sunday will be observed the following Monday.
If a holiday occurs on an employee's regularly scheduled day off, the employee may observe the holiday by taking off some other regular work day, preferably during the same pay period. This must be requested and approved by the employee’s supervisor.
Eligible employees, who are required to work on a recognized university holiday, are entitled to an alternative paid day off during the same pay period. This must be requested and approved by the employee’s supervisor.
2.3 Holiday Compensation
Full-time benefit-eligible employees will receive their normal compensation for observed holidays (based on an 8-hour day). Eligible part-time employees will receive compensation in proportion to the percentage of their appointment (i.e., 50%, 75%, etc.)
Paid holiday hours will not be counted as hours worked when calculating overtime compensation for non-exempt employees. Overtime will be paid only when the number of hours actually worked exceeds 40 hours per week.
2.4 Days of Religious Observance
The university recognizes the existence of various days of religious observance or obligation. Consistent with nondiscrimination policy and to provide flexibility for personal choice, an employee may request time off for religious observance. If an employee wishes to observe a particular religious holiday, they must arrange in advance for time off. If the leave is paid, it will be deducted from vacation leave.
353.3 RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 University Calendar Committee
Review, evaluate, and recommend the universities employee holidays. The committee recommendations are first reviewed by the Faculty Senate and Staff Employee Association (SEA), then reviewed and ratified by the Executive Committee.
Post the annual holiday schedule on the university’s Holiday Calendar website at least 12 months prior to the beginning of the next calendar year.
3.2 Executive Committee
Review and ratify the university’s employee holidays recommended by the University Calendar Committee.
353.4 REFERENCES
353.5 RELATED USU POLICIES
353.6 DEFINITIONS
6.1 Benefit-Eligible Employee
Budgeted and eligible for all USU benefits and work at least 20 hours a week. (Affordable Care Act (ACA) eligible employees are not considered fully benefited employees as they are only eligible for medical coverage.)
Information below is not included as part of the contents of the official policy. It is provided only as a convenience for readers/users and may be changed at any time by persons authorized by the president.
RESOURCES
Procedures
- N/A
Guidance
- N/A
Related Forms and Tools
- N/A
Contacts
- Calendar Committee Chair, Provost’s Office
- USU Office of Human Resources
POLICY HISTORY
Original issue date: 1997/01/24
Last review date: 2022/10/14
Next scheduled review date:
Previous revision dates: 1997/01/24, 1999/07/01, 2022/10/14