The State of West Virginia 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 West Virginia.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday (3rd Monday in January)
- Presidents’ Day (3rd Monday in February)
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
- West Virginia Day (June 20)
- 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)
- Lincoln’s Day (Day after Thanksgiving Day)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- General Election Day
- any day proclaimed or ordered by the Governor of West Virginia or the President of the United States as a day of special observance or Thanksgiving, or a day for the general cessation of business
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. WV Statute 2-2-1(b)
Public employers
The Governor may designate the legal holidays for which state employees are granted paid leave. County commissions may designate the legal holidays for which county employees are granted paid leave. WV Statute 2-2-1(c) Special rules apply to police officers (WV Statute 8-14-2a), firefighters (WV Statute 8-15-10a), deputy sheriffs (WV Statute 7-14-17e), and correctional officers (WV Statute 7-14B-18a).
Private employers
Private employers in West Virginia 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 West Virginia’s Leave Laws.
Federal Holidays
Click here for a list of federal holidays.
