The State of Idaho has designated several days each calendar year as state holidays. The implications of these state holidays on public employers and private employers are discussed below.
The following list contains the state holidays recognized by Idaho.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day (3rd Monday in January)
- Washington’s Birthday (3rd Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
- Columbus Day (2nd Monday in October)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Idaho also observes any special holiday proclaimed by the President of the United States or its governor. If a legal holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. If a legal holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the prior Friday. ID Statute 73-108
Public employers
State offices and agencies must observe the state holidays listed above and employees must be granted paid leave. If executive exempt employees work on a legal holiday, they may take another day off instead. ID Statute 67-5302(15)
Private employers
Private employers in Idaho are not required to close on any of the listed holidays. Additionally, private employers are not required to allow employees to take either paid or unpaid time off on the holidays or are they required to pay employees any premium wage rates to employees who work on the holidays. Private employers may establish policies or practices granting employees time off on any of the listed holidays or agree to pay premium wage rates to employees who work on those days. Employers who establish such policies or practices may be required to comply with them.
Find out more about Idaho’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
