More reliable even than the Beaver State’s rainy seasons, the holidays on our calendars mark the passing of the year. They can serve as reminders of national events and historical figures, while also giving us something to look forward to: the odd Monday or Friday out of the office. So which days do we get off, and, more importantly, can we still get paid? This is a brief overview of legal holidays laws in Oregon.
Holidays in Oregon
Each state has its own particular legal holidays laws. While some states also distinguish additional state holidays, Oregon only recognizes the major holidays: Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Oregon Legal Holidays Statutes
Oregon’s legal holiday laws are highlighted in the following chart.
| Code Section | Oregon Revised Statutes 187.010, et seq.: Legal Holidays |
| Holidays | New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday; President's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving; Christmas |
Legal Holidays and Employment
Because many businesses are closed on holidays, it’s only natural to wonder how they work in our own employment context. Do we get a day off? Or do we get paid extra if we work? For the most part, how much we can earn is regulated under Oregon’s wage and hour laws which include strict minimum wage and overtime pay statutes. But when it comes to legal holidays, the state doesn’t require all employers to give their employees time off for holidays or even pay employees extra for working legal holidays. Additionally, there is also no federal employment law requiring additional compensation for work performed on legal holidays.
Therefore, a private employer in Oregon can make their employees work on holidays and would only need to pay the normal wage. That being said, most employers will recognize the benefits of a happy workforce, and will either give employees these legal holidays off or provide them with overtime pay for working on a holiday. You will need to check the specific terms of your employment contract to determine how legal holidays are handled at your workplace.
Oregon Legal Holidays Laws: Related Resources
Legal holidays can vary, and are treated differently by different employers. You can find more information and resources in FindLaw's section on Employment Law. You can also contact an Oregon employment law attorney if you would like legal advice regarding an employment matter.
