The State of South 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 South Dakota.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January)
- Washington and Lincoln’s Birthdays (3rd Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
- Native American’s Day (2nd Monday in October)
- 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 this state for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday
If New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Veterans’ Day, or Thanksgiving falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. If any of these holidays falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the prior Friday. SD Statute 1-5-1
Public employers
Permanent state employees are eligible for holiday pay for all the legal holidays listed above if they work at least one shift or is on approved paid leave during the calendar week in which the holiday falls. Employees who are not scheduled to work on a particular holiday are still eligible for holiday benefits. Part-time employees are entitled to receive prorated holiday pay. Holiday day pay is capped at eight hours per holiday. SD Statute 3-6C-20
Private employers
Private employers in South 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 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 South Dakota’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
