Purpose

To define those holidays that are officially recognized by the University.

Eligibility

All regular employees of the University are eligible to be paid for time off for officially recognized holidays.

Applicability

This policy applies to all employees with the exception of those essential personnel whose terms and conditions of employment include regularly scheduled work on holidays.

Official Holidays

The following are the official holidays recognized by the University:

• NEW YEAR'S DAY
• THREE KING'S DAY
• MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
• GOOD FRIDAY
• CARNIVAL FRIDAY
• MEMORIAL DAY
• V.I. EMANCIPATION DAY
• INDEPENDENCE DAY
• LABOR DAY
• LIBERTY DAY (D. HAMILTON JACKSON DAY)
• VETERAN'S DAY
• THANKSGIVING DAY
• FORTSBERG/DISCOVERY DAY
• CHRISTMAS DAY

Other administrative holidays or recesses may be declared at the President's discretion.

Observation

When a holiday recognized by the University falls on Saturday, the University will observe the holiday on the preceding Friday. If the holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be observed.

Annual Schedule

The annual schedule of holidays, which includes specific dates, will be prepared by the Human Resources Manager and approved by the President. After Presidential approval, the Human Resources Manager will distribute the schedule to employees.

Payment for Holidays

To be paid for a University recognized holiday an employee must be on the job the entire workday preceding and the entire workday following the holiday. Employees on approved leave with pay will be paid for holidays falling within such approved leave periods.

In those special cases where the President grants administrative leave for holiday or emergency reasons, employees on paid leave will not have their leave reimbursed for such time.

Holidays on Regular Days Off

When a recognized holiday falls on the regular day off of an employee, he or she will accumulate compensatory time at their regular rate, for that day, which may be used in accordance with the rules regulating use of compensatory time. Under no circumstances will an employee receive additional compensation for holidays not worked.

Work on Holidays

Any employee who is required to work on an officially recognized University holiday is eligible for holiday compensation at one and one half times their regular rate of pay, in the form of overtime or compensatory time, depending upon his or her employment classification. See Sections OVERTIME and COMPENSATORY TIME .

Observance of Religious Holidays

The University recognizes that some employees may observe religious holidays other than those designated by the University. Employees will be allowed to use accrued or earned leave to observe holidays significant to their personal religion. The following procedure should be followed when requesting leave for such a purpose:

1. The employee must file a list of the religious holidays that he or she will be observing with their department head. A copy should be forwarded to the Human Resources Office.
   
2. The employee must file an application for leave form at least one (1) week prior to the date of requested leave. Some departments may require more notice in order to schedule coverage of services.

Employees who fail to apply in advance for leave will be considered to be absent without leave and will be subject to disciplinary action.