CHM HR - Legal Holidays: Academic & University Staff
If the legal holidays of January 1, July 4, and December 25 fall on a Sunday, University offices are closed on the following day (Monday) and the holiday is observed on that Monday.
If any of the other legal holidays fall on a regularly scheduled day off (such as Saturday or Sunday) employees are granted floating holiday time.
The State of Wisconsin grants nine days of paid legal holidays per calendar year to eligible employees.
Legal Holiday Calendars by Appointment & Year
Academic Staff (FY 23-24)Academic Staff (FY 24-25) University Staff (2024)University Staff (2025)
Academic Staff Calendars
Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024 (07/01/2023 - 06/30/2024)
| Legal Holiday | When Observed |
| Independence Day (4th of July) | Tuesday, July 4, 2023 |
| Labor Day (first Monday in September) | Monday, September 4, 2023 |
| Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November) | Thursday, November 23, 2023 |
| Christmas Eve (December 24th) | Sunday, December 24, 2023 (Floating Holiday) |
| Christmas (December 25th) | Monday, December 25, 2023 |
| New Year's Eve (December 31) | Sunday, December 31, 2023 (Floating Holiday) |
| New Year's Day (January 1) | Monday, January 1, 2024 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January) | Monday, January 15, 2024 |
| Memorial Day (last Monday in May) | Monday, May 27, 2024 |
Note: 2024 is a leap year, with the addition of Thursday, February 29.
Faculty, Academic Staff, and Limited Appointees Use of Floating Holiday Time
Floating holiday time can be used any time during the fiscal year in which it is earned. This means that a 'January 1' floating holiday can be used anytime in the fiscal year it is earned. Unused floating holiday time is lost after June 30. Thus, individuals should use their floating holiday time before vacation time.
Up and Coming...
Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 (07/01/2024 - 06/31/2025)
| Legal Holiday | When Observed |
| Independence Day (4th of July) | Thursday, July 4, 2024 |
| Labor Day (first Monday in September) | Monday, September 2, 2024 |
| Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November) | Thursday, November 28, 2024 |
| Christmas Eve (December 24th) | Tuesday, December 24, 2024 |
| Christmas (December 25th) | Wednesday, December 25, 2024 |
| New Year's Eve (December 31) | Tuesday, December 31, 2024 |
| New Year's Day (January 1) | Wednesday, January 1, 2025 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January) | Monday, January 20, 2025 |
| Memorial Day (last Monday in May) | Monday, May 26, 2025 |
University Staff Calendars
Calendar Year 2024 - University Staff
| Legal Holiday | When Observed |
| New Year's Day (January 1) | Monday, January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January) | Monday January 15 |
| Memorial Day (last Monday in May) | Monday, May 27 |
| Independence Day (4th of July) | Thursday, July 4 |
| Labor Day (first Monday in September) | Monday, September 2 |
| Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November) | Thursday, November 28 |
| Christmas Eve (December 24) | Tuesday, December 24 |
| Christmas (December 25) | Wednesday, December 25 |
| New Year's Eve (December 31) | Tuesday, December 31 |
University Staff Use of Floating Holiday Time
Floating holiday time can be used any time during the calendar year in which it is earned. January 1 floating holiday cannot be used until the year is earned. Legal and floating holiday hours should be used in the calendar year in which they are granted. There are no provisions that allow University Staff employees to carry over floating holiday time into the next calendar year. Thus, individuals should use their floating holiday time before using vacation time.
Up and Coming...
Calendar Year 2025 - University Staff
| Legal Holiday | When Observed (2025) |
| New Year's Day (January 1) | Monday, January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January) | Monday January 20 |
| Memorial Day (last Monday in May) | Monday, May 26 |
| Independence Day (4th of July) | Friday, July 4 |
| Labor Day (first Monday in September) | Monday, September 1 |
| Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November) | Thursday, November 27 |
| Christmas Eve (December 24) | Wednesday, December 24 |
| Christmas (December 25) | Thursday, December 25 |
| New Year's Eve (December 31) | Wednesday, December 31 |