Question: in years past, we have always been closed on MLK Jr. Day. We received a memo today that said starting in 2010, we will be open, and expected to work that day.

I have no problem with that, however, we were also told: we will receive our 8 hours of base pay that day, but that is it. No time and a half (or double time) or no PTO day to be used at another time.

Is this normal practice? I thought this was a federal holiday, so there had to be some extra compensation?

Am I was off base? What concerns me then, in theory, couldn't they also say that we are now going to be open on Christmas, with no extra 'incentive'?

Thanks.

I have never worked for a bank or CU where we got all the extra days off, or paid extra for working them. Normal days, normal pay.

I even used to work for a bank that the only day they closed each year was Christmas, and for that as long as it was not on a weekend, we got or normal 8 hours normal pay.

I think this is often either a structural or regional benefit. In my parts very few banks close anymore for anything less the major holidays (New Years, the 4th, Memorial and Labor day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Every other day is just another normal paid workday.

Very few banks close for anything other than Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day anymore.

The rest are Fed Reserve closed/bank open days and our employees have always been expected to work and get paid straight time (8 hours) - no time and a half, no double time, no "comp" time or alternative day off.

With the state of the economy, we consider ourselves lucky to have employment and be paid in exchange for our work. It boggles my mind that some are looking for "extras" for all the other minor holidays. Usually post offices and government offices are the only ones who get to enjoy those, in my area.

In my humble opinion if your company tells you to work Christmas Day without compensation and won't negotiate then you need to look for a new job because that would be ridiculous.

Years ago my brother worked for a boss who was not Christian and brother was told he was expected to work Christmas Day every year, but was given all the Jewish holidays off: that was company policy. He usually planned ahead and took paid time off for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and went to work 2 of the Jewish holidays instead. It worked for him and for his boss.

Pretty sure theres no standard for every company.

We are closed every Fedral holiday if it is a weekday. New Years Day; MLK; Presidents Day; Memorial Day; July 4; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
We are a commercial bank in the south. Every bank I have worked for in the past 35 years has been the same way.

Unless your state labor laws addresses it the bank, or any employer, is not required to give you any paid days of leave. They're not even required to give you time off for breaks or lunch. If you are scheduled to work on a "federal holiday" you are only enitiled to your regular compensation or overtime compensation if you fall within that category.


For IN:

d. Breaks/Lunches

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Are employers required to provide breaks to employees?
Indiana state law does not generally require employers to provide rest breaks, meal breaks, or breaks for other purposes to adult employees. Minor employees (under 18 years of age) who work six or more hours in a shift must be given one or two breaks totaling at least 30 minutes. These breaks may be taken at any point during the minor's shift. Indiana Administrative Code 610 IAC 10-3-1 requires break logs to be maintained by the employer to document all breaks provided to minor employees.

Certain other categories of workers, such as airline pilots, truck drivers, and workers covered by a union collective bargaining agreement may be entitled to mandatory breaks under other applicable regulations or by contract. Check with the appropriate regulatory agency or with your union representative.


e. Vacation

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Can my employer mandate when I use my vacation time?
Yes. Vacation time is considered a fringe benefit and is up to the discretion of the employer.

Is my employer required to pay me for sick days, personal days and holidays?
No. Indiana law only requires that employers must pay employees for actual time worked. As a result, employers are not required to pay for sick days, personal days, or holidays.

Not to PC

In Louisiana, most banks observe the holiday schedule of the Federal Reserve. However, some banks opt to open for Veterans and Memorial Day in order to close other days (Friday after Thanksgiving, for local festivals, etc.). Some have opted to close for MLK, while others opt to open. There have been protests in years past when a bank chose to open on MLK Day, but haven't seen those in a while.

Have working in banking in Michigan since the late 80's and in the beginning I had MLK, Columbus and Veterans Day off but then the bank decided to stay open on those days as many other banks were also staying open. Have worked for my current bank since 2001 and they also are open on the above mentioned days as well as all of our local competitors.

I used to work in a Massachussetts bank (out west now) and not only did we get MLK, Columbus, and Presidents day off we also got Patriots Day and Evacuation Day off. As a kid we even had Bunker Hill Day off school!

Looks like this is a very regional thing but I think its crazy not to provide time+1/2 or some other sort of compensation.

We get all the Federal holidays off, except for Presidents Day which we use as a training day. We do get a floating holiday to use when we want to replace that day.

The only holidays we do not work are: New Years Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Veterans Day(deer hunting), Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

We receive one floating day for 3 holidays we work.

Same as Chenin here, except we use MLK day as our bank wide training day. We also get paid for our time at the meeting, plus get a floating holiday to use later in the year.

Unless your state labor laws addresses it the bank, or any employer, is not required to give you any paid days of leave. They're not even required to give you time off for breaks or lunch. If you are scheduled to work on a "federal holiday" you are only entailed to your regular compensation or overtime compensation if you fall within that category."

Mr. Persfull,
Not everyone lives in Indiana and if you have enough employees -

You should consult the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Federal Labor Laws on Wages and hours. Federal Labor laws Preempt State Labor Laws, such as Minimum wages, exempt & non-exempt employee, requirement for times of rest and meals during period of work that exceeds 8 hours. Federal Holidays aside an employer may require employees to work holidays as long as they stay within 40 hours for non-exempt employees and if not, pay overtime as required by Federal Law. Also, Ever heard of the Family Medical Leave Act?