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For those whose workplaces are closed on federal holidays, the dreaded three-month dead zone has arrived. The long weekend for President’s Day is in the past, and the next holiday isn’t until Memorial Day strolls in at the end of May.
Perhaps you’re wondering where you might find a magic clock that speeds up time. Maybe you’re thinking, “Eat me. I don’t get paid time off (aka PTO), so if I don’t have work, I don’t get paid.” All of those thoughts are reasonable, and the fact that not all workplaces are mandated to provide paid time off or that there’s not some sort of system in place that allows citizens to rest, get sick, or address life circumstances without plummeting toward financial insecurity does seem to be an irresponsible and destructive hamster wheel of exploitation…
In any case, a break from work should be more than a single day, so here’s a list of upcoming holidays in 2024 to request days off around and thus extend your time off, provided you do not work federal holidays or weekends (i.e., Saturdays and Sundays).
If you do not have federal holidays or weekends off, the principle still applies: maximize your time off by scheduling it for days that border when your workplace is closed and/or days you already are not scheduled to work.
Memorial Day (Monday, May 27): Request off Friday, May 24 (4 consecutive days off: May 24-May 27)
Juneteenth (Wednesday, June 19): Request off Monday and Tuesday, June 17 and 18, and Thursday and Friday, June 20 and 21 (9 consecutive days off: June 15-June 23)
Independence Day (Thursday, July 4): Request off Monday through Wednesday, July 1–3 and Friday, July 5 (9 consecutive days off: June 29-July 7)
Labor Day (Monday, September 2): Request off Friday, August 30 (4 consecutive days off: August 30-September 2)
Indigenous People’s Day (Monday, October 14): Request off Friday, October 11 (4 consecutive days off: October 11-October 14)
Veteran’s Day (Monday, November 11): Request off Friday, November 8 (4 consecutive days off: November 8-November 11)
Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 28): Request off Friday, November 29 (4 consecutive days off: November 28-December 1)
Christmas (Wednesday, December 25): Request off Thursday and Friday, December 26 and December 27 (5 consecutive days off: December 25-December 29)
In total, the above actions transform 15 days off into 43 days off.
Of course, as has been reiterated many a time, there’s no consistency amongst work schedules or workplace vacation protocols, so take a look at your personal circumstances for each to determine what day off requests make the most sense for you and will increase your time away. Rest is important!
Additionally, if you do not receive paid time off through your job benefits, check your state government’s website to see their laws regarding employer requirements for paid leave. Maine and Nevada have passed laws giving employees the right to earn and use general paid time off (i.e., inclusive of vacations), and many states have passed laws entitling employees to a minimum amount of sick leave based on hours worked.
