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CHM HR - Legal Holidays: Academic & University Staff

This document outlines the legal holidays that the University of Wisconsin system observes for both Academic and 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 24-25) University Staff (2024)University Staff (2025) 

Academic Staff Calendars

Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 (07/01/2024 - 06/30/2025)

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

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. 

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 



KeywordsPTO, paid time off, holiday, holiday pay, calendar, calendar year, floating, floating holiday time   Doc ID132114
OwnerLisa W.GroupCenter for Healthy Minds
Created2023-10-16 09:49:52Updated2024-09-17 08:22:21
SitesCenter for Healthy Minds
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