Montana State Holidays

The State of Montana 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 Montana.

If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the prior Friday. MT Statute 1-1-216

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Public employers

Full-time state employees who work on legal holidays, except Sundays, are entitled to receive a day off with pay as follows, so long as the employee is in a pay status on the employee’s last regularly scheduled working day immediately before the holiday or on the employee’s first regularly scheduled working day immediately after the holiday:

• on the day before the holiday,
• on another day after the holiday within the same pay period, or
• or as scheduled by the employee and the employee’s supervisor

Part-time state employees receive holiday pay on a prorated basis consistent with rules established by the responsible administrative agency. Short-term state employees do not receive holiday pay. MT Code 2-18-603

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Private employers

Private employers in Montana 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 nor 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 holiday 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 Montana’s Leave Laws.

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Federal Holidays

Click here for a list of federal holidays.

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