Holiday leave
In the United States, paid vacation leave is not a legal requirement for private-sector employers. Instead, it's considered a benefit and is largely at the discretion of individual employers. If an employer chooses to provide vacation leave, the specific terms, amounts, and eligibility are typically outlined in employment contracts, company handbooks, or collective bargaining agreements (if applicable).
Many US employers do offer some form of paid vacation time, which often increases with an employee's seniority within the company. However, the provision of vacation leave varies widely between industries and companies.
While some states or municipalities may have local laws addressing paid sick leave or other forms of paid time off, these do not necessarily cover traditional vacation leave.
Public holidays
In the United States, there are several federal public holidays that are recognized nationwide. These include:
New Year's Day
This holiday is celebrated on January 1st every year.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
This day is observed on the third Monday in January.
Presidents' Day
Originally celebrated as George Washington's Birthday, this holiday falls on the third Monday in February.
Memorial Day
This day of remembrance is observed on the last Monday in May.
Juneteenth National Independence Day
This holiday is celebrated on June 19th.
Independence Day
This national holiday is celebrated on July 4th.
Labor Day
This holiday is observed on the first Monday in September.
Columbus Day
This day is celebrated on the second Monday in October.
Veterans Day
This day is observed on November 11th.
Thanksgiving Day
This holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.
Christmas Day
This holiday is celebrated on December 25th.
It's important to note that many states and individual cities or towns have additional public holidays. Furthermore, private employers may choose which federal holidays to observe and may offer additional paid holidays to employees.
Types of leave
In the USA, there are several types of leave available to employees, each with its own set of rules and regulations.
Vacation Leave
There is no federal law requiring employers to offer paid vacation leave. Instead, it's primarily an employer-provided benefit, with details outlined in employment contracts or company policies.
Sick Leave
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) might require reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, potentially including unpaid medical leave. However, some states and cities have laws mandating paid sick leave. It's advisable to check jurisdictions directly for specific details.
Family and Medical Leave
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees at qualifying companies with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specific reasons. These reasons can include childbirth, adoption, or serious health conditions.
Maternity/Paternity Leave
There is no federal requirement for paid maternity or paternity leave. However, some childbirth situations might qualify for unpaid leave under FMLA. Additionally, some employers or specific states might provide paid parental leave benefits.
Important Considerations
When considering leave options, it's important to note that laws like FMLA have eligibility criteria related to employee tenure, company size, etc. Employers may also provide leave benefits beyond what is mandated by law. These would be outlined in employment contracts or policies. Always check your state and local laws, as they might have more extensive leave mandates than federal laws.
