Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has granted state employees three additional days off for the holiday season. These extra days – December 23rd, 24th, and 31st – are in addition to the existing holidays of Christmas and New Year's Day.
This announcement means state offices will be closed for a total of five days around the holidays. Governor DeSantis explained that this is a way to reward state employees for their hard work throughout the year, particularly in the face of challenges like the three costly hurricanes Florida experienced. He emphasized the importance of allowing state workers to spend quality time with their loved ones during the holiday season.
This isn't the first time Florida state workers have received additional time off. Last month, they were also given the day before Thanksgiving off. Officially, Florida recognizes nine paid holidays for state agencies, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Employees are also entitled to one personal holiday each year. Last year, DeSantis also granted extra days off around the holidays, acknowledging the dedication of state employees, especially in light of their responses to Hurricane Idalia and the state's rescue operation in Israel.
