The State of Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January)
- Washington Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Good Friday (usually falls in March or April)
- Memorial or Decoration 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)
- Election Day for County, State, or National Elections
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- all days appointed by the governor of Tennessee or by the president of the United States as days of fasting or thanksgiving
If a legal holiday 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. TN Code 15-1-101
Public employers
Tennessee laws do not address the holiday leave or pay rights of public employees.
Private employers
Private employers in Tennessee 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 Tennessee’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
