Do I Get Time and a Half on Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States, observed on November 11th every year to commemorate the end of World War I. While most Americans get a day off from work on this day, many are left wondering whether they will receive extra pay for working on this federal holiday.
Federal Holiday Pay
The federal government requires federal employees, contractors, and employees of employers with federal contracts to be paid their regular wages on federal holidays, unless otherwise agreed upon in a collective bargaining agreement or employer-employee contract. Employers with 5 or more employees are also required to provide federal holidays, including Veterans Day.
Time and a Half Pay
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees are entitled to overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in a week. Overtime pay is 1.5 times their regular rate of pay, also known as "time and a half."
However, on federal holidays like Veterans Day, overtime pay is not necessarily automatically triggered. If you are required to work on a federal holiday, your employer may not have to pay you overtime unless your employer has a contract or agreement that requires them to do so.
Who Gets Time and a Half on Veterans Day?
In general, the following employees may be eligible for time and a half on Veterans Day:
• Exempt employees (those earning $47,476 or more annually or those classified as executives, professionals, or highly compensated employees) may receive their regular rate of pay or overtime pay, including time and a half.
• Non-exempt employees (those earning less than $47,476 annually or those not classified as exempt) are eligible for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours in a week and are required to work on Veterans Day. Overtime pay may include time and a half.
Examples of Who May Get Time and a Half
Consider the following scenarios:
| Employee | Hours Worked | Overtime Eligible | Time and a Half Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| John | 30 hours | No | No |
| Mary | 40 hours | Yes | Time and a half |
| Jane | 50 hours | Yes | Time and a half |
| Tom | 10 hours | No | No |
In these scenarios, John and Tom, both non-exempt employees, are not eligible for overtime pay, including time and a half. Mary, who works 40 hours, is eligible for overtime pay, which may include time and a half. Jane, who works 50 hours, is also eligible for overtime pay, including time and a half.
Who May Not Get Time and a Half
The following employees may not be eligible for time and a half on Veterans Day:
• Union employees: Collective bargaining agreements may dictate different pay practices for union employees. If your union agreement provides for different pay on federal holidays, you may receive time and a half.
• Employees on shift schedules: Employees working varying shift schedules, such as overnight shifts, may be eligible for premium pay on holidays, but not necessarily time and a half.
Conclusion
While time and a half pay may be available to some employees on Veterans Day, it depends on their employment status, hours worked, and specific employer-employee agreements. Non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a week and are required to work on Veterans Day may be eligible for overtime pay, including time and a half. Exempt employees and employees under specific contracts or agreements may receive different pay. Review your employment contract, union agreement, or HR policies to determine your eligibility for time and a half pay on Veterans Day.
Additional Resources
• United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. (n.d.). Fair Labor Standards Act. Retrieved from https://www.dol.gov/whd/flsa/
• United States Code, Title 5, Chapter 63, Section 6103. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/6103
• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). (n.d.). Break Times and Meal Periods. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3703.pdf
Please consult with your HR representative, union representative, or supervisor to confirm your employer’s specific policies and agreements regarding time and a half pay on Veterans Day.
