4.18 Holidays/Floating Day

Last Revised: December 20, 2023

Refer Questions to: Executive Director, Human Resources

Scope

This policy applies to regular and extended temporary staff in all offices and divisions of Gallaudet University, unless specifically covered by collective bargaining agreements made between Gallaudet University and certified bargaining agents.

Policy

Eligible staff employees receive their regular pay for the number of hours normally scheduled to be worked on official, University-observed holidays. The 17 University-observed holidays and the dates they are normally observed are:

• Winter Break – December 25 through December 31 excluding regular days off.
• New Year’s Day – January 1.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Third Monday in January.
• Memorial Day – Last Monday in May.
• Juneteenth – June 19.
• Independence Day – July 4.
• Labor Day – First Monday in September.
• Fall Break – the week of the fourth Thursday in November (Monday-Friday).
• Inauguration Day – January 20 every four years.

In addition, regular and extended temporary employees are entitled to one “Floating Day” per calendar (leave) year, which is any day following completion of the probationary period that is suitable for the supervisor and the employee. A Floating Day is equivalent to eight (8) hours of pay (or the prorated amount if less than full time). It must be used on one day. If the employee elects to use Floating Day on a scheduled work day of more than eight (8) hours, the employee may use annual leave to make up for the time in excess of eight (8) hours. If the employee elects to use Floating Day on a scheduled workday of less than 8 hours, the employee cannot apply partial Floating Day on another day.

A holiday is equivalent to eight (8) hours of pay. Part-time employees are compensated for a holiday or floating day according to the number of hours they are normally scheduled to work.

Pursuant to D.C. law, employees may take off D.C. Emancipation Day (the weekday nearest April 16). Such time off is unpaid unless an employee uses accrued annual leave.

Approved by: Gallaudet University Board of Trustees

Procedures

1. If the holiday falls on the employee’s regularly scheduled work day, the employee will be credited with eight (8) hours of holiday pay for that day. If the regularly scheduled work day is greater than eight (8) hours, the employee may elect to use annual leave to make up for the time in excess of the eight (8) hours that the employee was scheduled to work; or if the supervisor approves, the employee may work additional hours during the same workweek as the holiday, in lieu of using accrued leave. If the regularly scheduled work day is less than eight (8) hours, the employee will be credited the difference to be used within the same or the following pay period.
2. If a holiday occurs while an employee is on accrued leave (i.e. sick or annual), the holiday is not charged against leave hours. No extra days are added while on other types of paid leave. Employees on leave-without pay status are not eligible for holiday pay.
3. If a full-time employee works a non-standard work-week and the holiday falls on the employee’s regularly-scheduled day off, the employee is given another day off for eight (8) hours during the same or following pay period. Part-time employees are given time off based on the number of hours they are normally scheduled to work.
4. Should a regular or extended temporary non-exempt staff employee be required to work on a University approved holiday, the employee is paid double time for all hours worked in lieu of receiving holiday pay for those hours.
5. With the supervisor’s approval, an employee may voluntarily elect to work on a holiday at the employee’s regular rate and receive equal time off at another time, usually during the same or following pay period, as long as the hours worked in that week do not exceed 40.
6. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is normally observed the preceding Friday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is normally observed the following Monday.
7. If an employee does not use his/her floating day within calendar (leave) year, it is forfeited.
8. DC Emancipation Day is unpaid unless an employee elects to use paid leave as stated below. An employee must notify his/her supervisor of their desire to take time off for DC Emancipation Day at least ten (10) days in advance of the date. Employees may use available annual leave (staff) or personal leave (Clerc Center teachers) to receive pay or a Floating Day.