Chapter 21: Holidays
21.1 Purpose and Eligibility
Certain designated days off with pay from work are provided for eligible Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é employees. All faculty and staff employees, including part-time employees appointed half-time or more for a period of four and one-half months, are entitled to time off with pay for days designated by the Texas Legislature or Governor as official state holidays. Eligible part-time employees are entitled to holiday time off proportionate to the percentage of their appointment. Students employed in positions that require student status as a condition of employment are not covered by this policy.
21.2 Designated Holidays
Official Texas state holidays are as authorized by the Texas State Legislature in the General Appropriations Act, with the provision that educational institutions may adjust the actual day of observance of each holiday to permit efficient operation of the institution. However, certain designated holidays require that the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é remain open with sufficient personnel present to conduct Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é business. The specific holiday schedule to be observed each fiscal year by the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é is published annually by the Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs. The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é further announces which offices must maintain a skeleton workforce to conduct Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é business on those holidays so designated by the Texas Legislature.
21.3 Compensatory Time
Employees comprising the skeleton workforce on designated holidays, or who are otherwise required to work during a holiday, will be granted equivalent compensatory time off during the twelve-month (12) period following the date of the holiday worked. The supervisor in charge may require the employee to give reasonable notice in advance of taking compensatory time off, but may not require that the employee specify the reason for which the compensatory time is to be taken.
21.4 Observance of Optional Holidays
The Texas Legislature has designated Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Good Friday as optional holidays. An employee eligible for holiday leave may observe optional holidays by working on any holiday in which a skeleton crew is required, or by using applicable accrued leave.
21.5 Holidays on Weekends or Scheduled Time Off
State holidays falling on weekends are not observed, but if a scheduled holiday with pay falls on an employee’s regularly assigned day off other than a weekend, compensatory time will be granted to the employee during the twelve (12) month period following the date of the holiday.
Resources:Texas Government Code, Sec. 662.003 - Dates and Descriptions of Holidays
Texas Government Code, Sec. 662.011 - Holidays for Institutions of Higher Education