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CHM HR - Legal Holidays

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 Fiscal Year

Academic Fiscal Year Staff Calendars

Fiscal Year 2025 - 2026 (07/01/2025-06/30/2026)

Legal Holiday When Observed 
Independence Day (4th of July) Friday, July 4, 2025
Labor Day (first Monday in September) Monday, September 1, 2025
Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November) Thursday, November 27, 2025
Christmas Eve (December 24th) Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Christmas (December 25th) Thursday, December 25, 2025 
New Year's Eve (December 31) Wednesday, December 31, 2025
New Year's Day (January 1) Thursday, January 1, 2026 
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January) Monday, January 19, 2026
Memorial Day (last Monday in May) Monday, May 25, 2026

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. 



Keywords:
PTO, paid time off, holiday, holiday pay, calendar, calendar year, floating, floating holiday time 
Doc ID:
132114
Owned by:
Lisa W. in Center for Healthy Minds
Created:
2023-10-16
Updated:
2025-12-01
Sites:
Center for Healthy Minds