Policy Manual

Holidays

Recognized Holidays: [FY2025]

The University observes the following holidays:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
Memorial Day*
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday following Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

* Some classes may be scheduled on Memorial Day (e.g. Summer Session classes).

Each year the Vice President for Human Resources (or designee) announces the dates on which the holidays are observed. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as the holiday. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday is observed the following Monday.

Regular staff members are immediately eligible for University-recognized holidays as they occur.

605.1 PAY PRACTICES FOR HOLIDAYS

Regular full-time staff members are paid at their regular rate for time not worked on the holidays identified above.

Regular full-time staff members, whose normal work schedules do not fall on a University holiday, are eligible for a compensatory day(s) in lieu of the holiday. For example, if the staff member’s normal workweek is Tuesday through Saturday, the staff member is eligible for a compensatory day for a holiday that falls on a Monday. The scheduling of this compensatory day must be agreed upon in advance by both supervisor and staff member and must be taken within ninety (90) days.

For time reporting purposes, full-time exempt monthly-paid staff are treated as working 40 hours per week (8 hours per day/5 days per week). This is for tracking purposes only and is not intended to reflect actual hours worked.

Regular part-time staff members are paid at their regular rate for the hours not worked if a holiday falls on a day that they are scheduled to work.

Non-exempt weekly-paid staff members who are required to work on a University-recognized holiday may receive either:

  • Pay for the holiday at their regular rate, in addition to pay for all hours worked on the holiday at a premium equal to one-and-one-half times their regular hourly rate 
    or
  • Pay for the holiday at their regular rate, in addition to compensatory time at premium equal to one-and-one-half times all hours worked on the holiday

    Compensatory time cannot be substituted for time worked in excess of 40 hours (refer to Policy 302). The substitution of compensatory time off in lieu of monetary compensation for the hours worked on a holiday must be agreed upon in advance by both the supervisor and the employee. The compensatory time must be used within ninety (90) calendar days from the date earned.

    University-recognized holidays occurring during a previously scheduled paid time off period are not charged to a staff member's individual's paid time off allowance.<

    Staff members who are absent from work either the workday before or after a recognized holiday, or both days, will receive holiday pay provided that absence is charged to pre-approved paid time off, or to sick days substantiated by a written note from the employee's physician. Any changes to the pay for an exempt monthly-paid staff member must be in agreement with Policy 307.3.

    Terminating individuals will not receive holiday pay unless they work the day after the holiday.

    605.2 UNIVERSITY STAFF WORKING AT UPHS, CHOP OR THE WISTAR INSTITUTE

    University staff assigned to work at the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS), the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) or the Wistar Institute may be required to work University-recognized holidays.  The University pay practices, benefits and policies apply to these staff members.

    605.3 UNIVERSITY STAFF WHO ARE COVERED BY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

    University staff covered by collective bargaining agreements should refer to the appropriate article in their contract.


    Policy Number: 605
    Effective Date: 12/21/2010
    Reviewed: 09/20/2022
    Supersedes Policy Number(s): 507 (11/01/1977); 605 (09/01/1991, 04/25/2000, 11/06/2001)
    Applicability: All Regular Staff Members
    Cross-reference:  Overtime Compensation and/or Compensatory Time - Policy 302Prohibiting Improper Pay Deductions and Overpayments/Complaint Procedure for Pay Errors - Policy 307Time Reporting - Policy 310

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