The State of Ohio 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 Ohio.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January)
- Presidents’ 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)
- Election Day (the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November) between noon and 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
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. OH Code 124.18(B)(2)
Public employers
State employees are generally entitled to be paid for the legal holidays listed above, except Election Day (see Ohio Voting Leave Laws, and may not be required to work on those days unless their employing agency determines that their failure to work would impair public service. OH Code 124.18(B)(1) Full-time permanent employees are entitled to 8 hours of pay for each legal holiday. OH Code 124.18(B)(6) Part-time employees are entitled to 4 hours of pay for each legal holiday. OH Code 124.18(B)(7)
Employees who work a flexible hours shift and who are normally scheduled to work more than 8 hours on a holiday, will be required to work an alternative schedule for the week or will be paid additional holiday pay for the hours the employee is normally scheduled to work. OH Code 124.18(B)(6) Employees with schedules other than Monday through Friday are entitled to holiday pay even when a holiday falls on their day off. OH Code 124.18(B)(5)
To be eligible for holiday pay, an employee must be on active status on the scheduled workday immediately preceding the holiday. OH Code 124.18(B)(3)
If an employee who is entitled to overtime is required to work on a legal holiday, the employee may choose to be paid one and a half times their regular rate for all hours worked in addition to their regular pay or to receive compensatory time off at time and a half. OH Code 124.18(B)(8)
Private employers
Private employers in Ohio 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 Ohio’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
