What is a floating holiday?

A floating holiday is a holiday whose date changes from year to year, unlike a fixed holiday which always falls on the same calendar date (e.g., Christmas, July 4th). The most common way a holiday "floats" is by being tied to a specific day of the week or a specific date relative to another fixed event. Here's a breakdown of some key aspects:

• Common Examples: Many holidays celebrating religious events or based on moveable feasts will be floating. For example, Easter is a classic example, as its date is calculated based on the lunar calendar and thus changes annually. Other examples include:

  • Memorial Day (USA): Always the last Monday of May.
  • Labor Day (USA): Always the first Monday of September.
  • Thanksgiving (Canada): The second Monday in October.
  • Thanksgiving (USA): The fourth Thursday in November.
  • Many Religious Holidays: Depending on the religious calendar, many religious festivals and observances fall on different dates each year.

• Why they Float: The reasons for floating holidays vary. Religious holidays often depend on lunar cycles or other astronomical calculations. Others, like Memorial Day and Labor Day, are designed to give people a long weekend, so tying them to a specific day of the week allows for consistent three-day weekends.

• Impact: Floating holidays create a challenge for planning, scheduling, and business operations, as the exact dates are only known well in advance. For businesses, accurate forecasting and employee scheduling can be more complex. Individuals also have to account for the shifting dates when making plans.

• Legal and contractual considerations: Contracts and laws often address floating holidays, clearly specifying how they are determined and any associated entitlements.

In summary, floating holidays add a degree of flexibility and often provide long weekends but require a more dynamic approach to planning and scheduling compared to fixed holidays.