How would you calculate holiday pay for an overnight shift?

[onthego103]

I work 11PM-7AM at a medical answering service. What seems to be the fair way to pay holiday pay (time and a half.) For example, the most recent holiday was Labor Day. One employee worked 11PM-7AM on Sunday night (technically one hour the day before Labor Day and seven hours on Labor Day) and one employee worked 11PM-7AM on Monday night (technically one hour of Labor Day and seven hours the following day.) Should the employee be paid based on the date at the start of their shift or based on the actual hours worked per date? Does my question make sense???!!!

 

[Darcy03231]

I think it should be actual hours worked on the holiday. Employee #1 should be paid one hour at regular time and 7 hours at holiday time. Employee #2 should be paid one hour at holiday time and 7 hours at the regular rate.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

usually a 24 hour workplace has this info in the employee handbook.

when I worked nights at a hospital - the standard 40 hour work week for 11p-7a began Sunday evening at 11pm and ended Friday morning at 7am. Following this example, the person working 11pSun - 7aMon over Labor Day would get a full shift of holiday pay, the person working 11pMon - 7aTues would be working their normal work week shift and not receive holiday pay.

 

[bicker]

I would expect it to parallel how hours make it into paychecks for hourly employees. (And that should apply for all employees, not just for the hourly workers.) In other words, if pay periods end Friday 5PM (and so hours worked Friday night are on the next pay period) then the vacation should begin at 5PM of the day before the holiday, and end at 5PM of the last day of the holiday, so the last night of the holiday would not be holiday). Regardless, the number of hours of the holiday should be an exact multiple of 24.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, where I work, for purpose of pay:

Holiday starts at 11pm the night before and ends at 11pm the night of the holiday.

That way those who work those 3 shifts (11-7; 7-3; 3-11) all get holiday pay equitably.

Those who work 12 hr shifts only get holiday pay during the hours stated above.

 

[Pakey]

Our company is in manufacturing with people working around the clock but each department has different hours for their shifts. Here, anyone with hours worked from midnight to midnight on a designated holiday would get holiday pay for those hours actually worked between midnight and midnight.

 

[onthego103]

It seems that most of you agree with me. I worked 11PM-7AM Sunday night into Labor Day. My boss contendes that I get no holiday pay for those eight hours because my shift started on a non-holiday. However, the woman who started work at 11PM on Labor Day and worked overnight received 8 hours of holiday pay (time and a half.) In my mind, she was free to have enjoyed the holiday and even have gone away for the weekend. I was sleeping and unable to enjoy my holiday. I wonder if there is any type of Department of Employment regulation that would spell this out. I tried looking but couldn't find anything.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My boss contendes that I get no holiday pay for those eight hours because my shift started on a non-holiday. However, the woman who started work at 11PM on Labor Day and worked overnight received 8 hours of holiday pay (time and a half.) In my mind, she was free to have enjoyed the holiday and even have gone away for the weekend. I was sleeping and unable to enjoy my holiday. I wonder if there is any type of Department of Employment regulation that would spell this out.

Another way to look at it was that you were off at 7am of the holiday, could sleep for a few hours and then were free to enjoy the rest of the day, even have a beer or two if you wanted without worrying about going into work that night. She, OTOH, probably didn't enjoy the day too much knowing she had to work that night, maybe even catch a nap beforehand, no booze before work, etc. Working holidays have drawbacks either way.

I don't know that how holidays are paid is as big an issue as whether there is holiday time paid. Some employers offer a day off instead of holiday pay. I don't know that it's worth splitting hairs over. There'll probably be plenty more holidays for you to work if you stay on the job. Next time maybe you could request working the night of instead of the night before? Sometimes employers ask your preferences. Another thing might be to switch time with someone who wants the holiday off? I don't know if seniority is an issue, it may be that higher seniority gets first preference? How long have you been there and was this the first holiday you worked?

 

[bicker]

As long as they apply the policy consistently (employee-to-employee), there are no federal laws that apply.

What state do you work in?

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

It seems that most of you agree with me. I worked 11PM-7AM Sunday night into Labor Day. My boss contendes that I get no holiday pay for those eight hours because my shift started on a non-holiday. However, the woman who started work at 11PM on Labor Day and worked overnight received 8 hours of holiday pay (time and a half.)

I would think you get no holiday pay either- we pay based on when shifts starts.
This is not something to go to the DOL about.

 

[onthego103]

I work in MA. It isn't something I would go to Dept of Labor about in terms of a complaint; I am merely looking for clarification if there are any guidelines. I don't ever work Monday nights, so it will be an issue with all Monday holidays. I don't usually work Sunday nights, but I was doing the boss a favor. I worked both Saturday and Sunday nights, so it definitely cancelled out my long weekend. I could have used the extra pay. Oh well, I won't be available next time she wants me on a Sunday night of a long weekend!

 

[bicker]

According to the laws of the Commonwealth, there is no requirement to pay a higher rate for work on holidays. So essentially, it just boils down to what agreement you have with your employer, and whether or not they apply their policy consistently from employee-to-employee. Beyond that, there are no legal implications.

 

[JR6ooo4]

isn't holiday pay Double Time?
and anything over 40 hours is overtime at 1.5 hours....

Mikeeee

 

[onthego103]

My employer only pays time and a half for holiday pay, the same as it would be for overtime. some employers pay double time for holidays. I guess the bottom line is that it is "fair" if they apply it consistently; it just works out disadvantageously for me because I am never available to work Monday nights. I still think it makes more sense to pay at least seven hours of holiday pay for the seven hours that are technically worked on the holiday, but they seem to be consistent with their interpretation, I believe. I will just stick to working only one day of three day weekends going forward rather than the two days I worked over Labor Day.

 

[Arielle22]

I am an HR Mgr in Ma. Bicker is correct that there is no requirement for holiday pay; unless there is a union contract except for retail environments. Then on certain holidays,time and a half is required.

There is no double time requirement in MA.

 

[SydSim]

At my job, in order to get paid the entire 8 hours, you have to work both nights.

 

[JR6ooo4]

My buddy works at a bicycle shop tues through sat. Sunday/monday is his weekend. He misses all the monday holidays....

Mikeeee

 

[maddmike]

Our company is a three shift manufacturing business. Midnight shift starts at 10 p.m Their monday starts at 10 p.m. sunday night.