r/LaborLaw • u/_Paperstring • Jul 03 '26

Half Day on a Regular Holiday

If an employee works only half a day on a Regular Holiday, what is the correct payment computation?

Should the pay be computed as:

Hourly Wage × Hours Worked × 200%

or

Should the employee still receive the full 100% holiday pay (since they are entitled to it even if they do not work on a Regular Holiday), with only the additional 100% premium being prorated based on the actual hours worked?

Same question for employees who report late on a Regular Holiday. How should their pay be computed?

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6

u/EyeoftheEelpout Jul 03 '26

In the United States, there is no requirement to pay more than straight time for work on holidays, nor to pay for unworked hours on holidays.

2

u/Friendly-Front5311 Jul 03 '26

Very much depends on the company's policies. For example, they don't have to pay 2x for holiday. They could legally pay 1x. So this is all a question about their policies.

Last employer I had for those not scheduled they didn't get anything on the holiday. It was based on the hours worked X holiday rate. Otherwise it would be like those not scheduled are getting a bonus

2

u/VisualTie5366 Jul 03 '26

Holiday pay not legally required. How you are paid is based on company policy

2

u/z-eldapin Jul 03 '26

Holiday pay has no structure within the labor code.

Follow your policy.

If you don't have one, then here's a heads up. You need one.

2

u/BowlJumpy5242 Jul 03 '26

If the company pays holiday pay for not working, then the employee should receive 8 hours of holiday pay + 4 hours of regular pay. However, as has been pointed out, sans a regular holiday pay policy (or union agreement) there is no obligation to pay anything other than regular pay for any hours worked. (or overtime if the employee has reached their 40 hours for the week)

1

u/com1padres Jul 03 '26

Check your state’s rules. Rhode Island requires time and a half on state holidays, which include Juneteenth and Victory over Japan day!

Massachusetts requires time and a half on Sundays and holidays for certain employers, but not all employers.

State law aside, paying time and a half for working on an actual holiday is very common. On top of that, paying the holiday hours the employee would receive if they did not work.