The State of Vermont 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 national and state holidays recognized by Vermont.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday (3rd Monday in January)
- Presidents’ Day (February 12)
- Town Meeting Day (1st Tuesday in March)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Bennington Battle Day (August 16)
- Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day (2nd Monday in October)
- Veterans’ Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
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. VT Statute 1-371(b)
Public employers
State agencies must observe the legal holidays listed above. Whether state offices remain open or are closed on legal holidays or whether employees receive holiday leave, whether paid or unpaid, is designated as a matter for collective bargaining. VT Statute 1-371(b)
Private employers
Private employers in Vermont 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 Vermont’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
