If the legal holidays of January 1, July 4 or 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.
Current · Historical
The State of Wisconsin grants nine days of paid legal holidays per calendar year to eligible employees.
| 2023 Legal Holidays | When Observed |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day, January 1 | Monday, January 2 (Observed) |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Third Monday in January | Monday, January 16 |
| Memorial Day, Last Monday in May | Monday, May 29 |
| Independence Day, July 4 | Tuesday, July 4 |
| Labor Day, First Monday in September | Monday, September 4 |
| Thanksgiving, Fourth Thursday in November | Thursday, November 23 |
| Christmas Eve, December 24 | Sunday, December 24 (Floating Holiday) |
| Christmas, December 25 | Monday, December 25 |
| New Year's Eve, December 31 | Sunday, December 31 (Floating Holiday) |
| 2024 Legal Holidays | 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, July 4 | 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 |
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 it 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 carryover floating holiday time into the next calendar year. Thus, individuals should use their floating holiday time before using vacation 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 using vacation time.