Human Resource Blog

Working on Labor Day

	Hiring and Staffing
Complete Business Forms Kit CD Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Employment Application Long Form Substance Testing Consent Form Pre-Employment Reference and Background Check Employment Offer/Acknowledgment Receipt of Employee Handbook New Hire Survey

	HR Management
Confidential Employee Folder Confidential Employee Medical Folder Job File Worksheet Folder Daily EEO Applicant Flow Log Workplace Information Sheets Request to Inspect Personnel Files

Is it mandatary to work on Labor Day?

The manager told employees that if no one signs up to work on Monday which is Labor Day, he will make it mandatary and no one can do anything about it, is that true?

Yes, this is completely true, legal, ethical and above-board. It does not even violate any best practice in HR. An employer can make any day they like mandatory. There is no federal or state law in the US that employers have to give workers holidays off, with or without pay. An employer can even terminate any worker who does not show up on the holiday.

Many employees will scream that this is unfair. They want to enjoy the holiday by cooking out at the lake with some friends. But lets think about that scenario. They probably plan to pick up some last minute items at the grocery store on the way. They may grab a breakfast sandwich at a drive through, or rent a boat at the lake. They may catch a movie later. Some people will even make it a long weekend and stay at a hotel. If the barbeque gets out of control, they will expect the police and fire department to respond. If they break their arm and go to the hospital, they will certainly expect it to be fully staffed. This means that all of those employers — retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, boat rentals, police and fire departments, hospitals and more — must have employees working. Not all of those employees are volunteers. Many of them would rather be home enjoying the holiday with their families, as well. But they realize that working on holidays is part of the job.

Thousands of employees — perhaps millions — work every holiday, and we should all be grateful for them!