The State of North Dakota 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 North Dakota.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Day (3rd Monday in January)
- Washington’s Birthday (3rd Monday in February)
- Good Friday (usually falls in March or April)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
- Veterans’ Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Any day appointed by the President of the United States or by the governor of North Dakota for a public holiday
- Sunday
If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. ND Statute 1-03-02 If a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the prior Friday. ND Statute 1-03-02.1
Public employers
North Dakota statutes do not specifically grant public employees paid holiday leave. State offices must be closed at 12:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve (December 25) unless it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. ND Statute 1-03-01
Private employers
Private employers in North Dakota 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 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 North Dakota’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
