How many paid holidays do California state workers get? — State worker inbox
The Sacramento Bee State Worker Inbox finds answers for common questions about public employment in California. Have a question? Email reporter Wes Venteicher at wventeicher@sacbee.com.
How many paid holidays do state workers get in 2020?
Most California state workers get 11 paid holidays, one more than their counterparts in federal government.
Columbus Day, falling on Oct. 12 this year, is a paid holiday for federal workers but not for state workers.
California state workers, unlike federal employees, are off on Tuesday, March 31 for Cesar Chavez Day. California state workers also get the day after Thanksgiving off.
Last year, most state workers also received the option to take a half-day of informal time off on either the day before Christmas or New Year’s Eve. Governors have given state workers the four hours off for the last 30 years, according to CalHR.
Below is this year’s list of state holidays for California state workers, which appears on CalHR’s website. The days can differ under the state’s contract agreements with different unions.
Wednesday, January 1 - New Year’s Day
Monday, January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 17 - Presidents’ Day
Tuesday, March 31 - Cesar Chavez Day
Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day
Saturday July 4 - Independence Day
Monday, September 7 - Labor Day
Wednesday, November 11 - Veterans Day
Thursday, November 26 - Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 27 - Day after Thanksgiving
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day
This story was originally published January 29, 2020 at 6:00 AM.