Holidays

There are nine official holidays observed by Carnegie Mellon's US campuses. The university is closed on these days, and all non-essential personnel are not expected to report to work. In addition, individuals may take up to three floating holidays per calendar year. (Note that the fiscal year runs from July 1–June 30.) International locations, such as Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, may observe different holidays.

*When a holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on the preceding day. (When the preceding day is also a holiday, both holidays are observed on preceding days.) When a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following work day.

Floating Holidays

U.S. staff may take three "floating holidays" during the calendar year, with approval by their immediate supervisor. Floating holidays must be taken in full-day increments (i.e., one may not take a half floating holiday). Unused floating holidays do not carry forward to the next calendar year; if they are not used, they will be lost. No payment for unused floating holidays is made to staff members who separate from the university.

Some departments have policies regarding periods when some floating holidays must or may not be used. Check with your department to determine if such a policy exists in your area.

Floating Holidays for New Staff: 

• Staff members who begin full-time employment by April 30 are entitled to three floating holidays during the remainder of the calendar year in which they are hired.
• Those who begin by August 31 are entitled to two days in the remainder of that calendar year.
• Those who begin by October 31 are entitled to one day in the remainder of that calendar year.
• Staff members hired on or after November 1 are not eligible for floating holidays during the calendar year in which they are hired.
• On January 1 of the calendar year following their date of hire, the employee's floating holidays will re-set to three for the new calendar year.