The Ultimate Guide to Mandatory Paid Holidays in Kentucky

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Kentucky has a mix of federal and state-specific holidays that provide paid time off for public and some private sector employees. This comprehensive guide covers the details on mandatory paid holidays in Kentucky – who is eligible, how pay is calculated, and how policies differ for state vs. private employees.

We‘ll also look at recent changes, debates, interesting facts, and resources to help you understand your holiday leave rights in Kentucky.

Overview of Holiday Pay in Kentucky

Let‘s start with some helpful context on paid holidays in Kentucky:

  • 1.4 million – The approximate number of employees, both private and public sector, in Kentucky who are potentially eligible for paid holidays depending on their employer‘s policies.

  • 10 – The number of paid holidays Kentucky state employees receive annually, including all federal and additional state holidays.

  • 6-8 – The average number of paid holidays provided by private companies in Kentucky, based on surveys. Some employers offer up to 10-12 paid holidays.

  • 1.5x – The holiday pay rate some Kentucky companies provide, equal to time-and-a-half an employee‘s regular wages.

Federally Mandated Holidays Observed in Kentucky

The federal government establishes a number of paid legal holidays each year. In Kentucky, both public and private sector employees observe the following:

  • 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 – June 19
  • Independence Day – July 4
  • Labor Day – First Monday in September
  • Columbus Day – Second Monday in October
  • Veterans Day – November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday in November
  • Christmas Day – December 25

The Commonwealth of Kentucky recognizes these federally mandated holidays by closing all non-essential state government offices, agencies, and schools.

Private employers are not required by federal or Kentucky state law to observe these holidays. However, most choose to follow the federal holiday schedule and provide paid time off to employees on these days.

Let‘s take a closer look at how eligibility and pay works on these mandatory federal holidays:

Eligibility for Federal Holiday Pay

To receive pay for a federal holiday, employees must generally be full-time and work their scheduled shifts immediately before and after the holiday.

For example, if Independence Day falls on a Thursday, an employee must work or use approved leave for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday surrounding this day to receive holiday pay.

Part-time and temporary workers may not qualify for paid federal holidays depending on employer policies. Some companies also require a probationary period of 60-90 days before new hires can receive paid holidays.

Federal Holiday Pay Rates

For eligible non-exempt employees, federal holiday pay is calculated based on their regular wages and hours.

If an employee typically works a 40 hour week at $20/hour, their holiday pay would equal 8 hours x $20, or $160. They receive this in lieu of coming in to work that day.

For salaried exempt employees, their weekly salary remains the same regardless of holidays. No adjustment is needed unless they work fewer than 40 hours in a holiday week, in which case some employers may prorate the salary.

Some employers offer 1.5x pay for working on federal holidays. However, federal law does not require paying non-exempt workers overtime for holiday hours in private companies. This is only mandated for certain federal employees.

Additional Kentucky State Holidays

Besides the federally observed holidays, the state of Kentucky designates the following as paid holidays for all state employees:

  • Good Friday – Friday before Easter Sunday

  • Primary Election Day – Third Tuesday in May of even-numbered years

  • General Election Day – First Tuesday after first Monday in November of even-numbered years

  • Juneteenth – June 19

  • Lincoln‘s Birthday – February 12

  • Confederate Observance Day – Fourth Monday in June

Let‘s look at some key facts on these additional holidays:

  • Approximately 95,000 people are employed by the Kentucky state government across the executive, legislative and judicial branches.

  • Kentucky was the last state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, doing so in 2021.

  • The holiday known as Confederate Observance Day was removed in 2022 due to controversy over its ties to the Confederacy.

State employees will receive standard holiday pay for any these days off work. The Kentucky Personnel Cabinet publishes a holiday schedule each year indicating when these official state holidays will be observed.

For example, Lincoln‘s Birthday on February 12 may be designated as an observed holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday for the purposes of providing a three-day weekend.

Now let‘s look at some key differences between private and public sector holiday pay in Kentucky:

Comparing State Employee and Private Sector Holiday Pay

State Employees

  • Receive 10-12 paid holidays depending on the calendar year
  • Must follow the holiday schedule set by the Personnel Cabinet
  • Receive standard holiday pay rate even if holiday falls on weekend
  • Given additional holidays like Primaries, Good Friday and Juneteenth

Private Sector Employees

  • Typically receive 6-8 paid holidays
  • Holiday schedule set at employer‘s discretion
  • May not receive pay if holiday falls on weekend
  • Only federally mandated holidays required; extras are optional

So in summary, state employees receive more paid holidays with consistent pay each year, while private sector holiday pay depends entirely on the employer‘s policies.

A final key difference – state employees recently lost Confederate Observance Day but gained Juneteenth as a paid holiday. The private sector does not have to observe either.

Recent Changes and Additions

As mentioned, Kentucky made some changes to its holiday schedule in recent years:

  • Juneteenth became an official state holiday in 2021 following nationwide protests over racial injustice. It commemorates the end of slavery.

  • Confederate Observance Day was removed as a state holiday in 2022 after controversy over its ties to the Confederacy and slavery.

Groups like the Kentucky NAACP and some state legislators had long called for removing the Confederate holiday, succeeding last year. However, others argued it honored ancestors who died fighting for the South.

These recent additions and removals highlight an ongoing evolution of Kentucky‘s holiday schedule to better align with changing social values.

Eligibility Requirements and Pay Rates

Let‘s take a detailed look at who qualifies for holiday pay and how the amount is calculated in Kentucky:

Eligibility

To receive holiday pay from a private employer in Kentucky, workers generally must:

  • Be classified as a full-time permanent employee
  • Work the last scheduled shift before and after the holiday
  • Meet any probationary period requirements (often 60-90 days)

Part-time, seasonal, and temporary workers may not qualify if company policy excludes those classes. Union contracts may also specify eligibility.

For state employees, eligibility tends to be more inclusive. Yet working before and after the holiday is still required in most cases.

Holiday Pay Rates

Private sector:

Non-exempt employees – Receive regular hourly wages for the number of hours typically worked that day

Exempt salaried – Typically paid regular salary with no deduction for holidays

State employees:

Paid regular wages on holidays, excluding overtime. Salaried staff still receive full salary.

Some employers offer 1.5x pay on federal holidays. This is not required by Kentucky law but may be a company policy.

In all cases, check with your manager or HR on eligibility terms and pay rates for holidays. Don‘t assume you will be paid – always verify!

Company Holiday Policies

To understand your specific holiday benefits, carefully review your employer‘s written policies in an employee handbook or contract.

Here are some important questions to ask about your company‘s holiday pay policy:

  • How many paid holidays do you provide per year?

  • Do holiday schedules vary by location or business unit?

  • Am I eligible for paid holidays as a part-timer, temp, contractor, etc?

  • What are your eligibility rules for getting holiday pay?

  • How do you calculate holiday pay rates?

  • Do you pay 1.5x or double-time for working holidays?

  • Can I take time off instead of holiday pay?

  • What if a holiday falls on a weekend or when I‘m not scheduled?

Get clear written answers so you understand exactly what to expect for pay and time off around holidays. Don‘t make assumptions about company policies.

Helpful Resources

To close out this guide, here are useful official resources on Kentucky holiday pay laws and employer obligations:

I hope this guide has helped explain the key rules, policies and recent changes impacting paid holiday leave in Kentucky. Please reach out with any other questions!

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