Supporting employees has gotten more complex since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. That expanded lens now includes exploration of how to foster a sense of belonging or create more identity for all employees. Employers can foster belonging in many ways. One way is through the paid holidays your company observes.
Traditionally, employers have observed a core list of paid holidays, such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. However, this presents a unique opportunity. What discussions can your organization have that will broaden the list of paid holidays your company observes? Upcoming dates of note include the following:
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March 31 (Cesar Chavez Day) — Cesar Chavez is recognized for having courageously dedicated his life to improving conditions for workers across the country.
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June 19 (Juneteenth National Independence Day) — Juneteenth is the annual holiday commemorating June 19, 1865. It was the day the last group of enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned about the Emancipation Proclamation issued two years earlier. Juneteenth falls on a Monday this year.
With an increasingly spread-out workforce, it is also important to remember that many states and cities celebrate unique holidays. Instead of creating multiple holiday schedules, employers could consider offering a set of floating holidays to be used on the days important to individuals.
If you are wondering which paid holidays other organizations are offering this year, please see Employers Council’s Paid Time Off Survey. In addition, you can find sample language for a holiday policy in this document. If you have any questions, please email our Member Experience Team.