Holiday Pay Guide
What the law says, what the industry expects, and what actually happens, on the books and off.
Federal Holidays
New Year's Day: Jan 1
MLK Jr. Day: 3rd Mon Jan
Presidents' Day: 3rd Mon Feb
Memorial Day: Last Mon May
Juneteenth: Jun 19
Independence Day: Jul 4
Labor Day: 1st Mon Sep
Columbus Day: 2nd Mon Oct
Veterans Day: Nov 11
Thanksgiving: 4th Thu Nov
Christmas Day: Dec 25
On the Books vs. Off the Books
Formal Employment
- Covered by FLSA ↗ minimum wage and overtime apply
- No federal law requires paid holidays
- Industry standard: major federal holidays paid off
- If worked: time-and-a-half is the widely accepted norm
- Terms should be written into the contract
- Taxes withheld and nanny is protected as an employee
Informal Employment
- FLSA ↗ protections still apply and wages and overtime are still owed
- No written contract often means no guaranteed holidays
- Holiday pay depends entirely on the family's decision
- No taxes withheld and no paper trail if a dispute arises
- A written agreement, even informal, still offers protection
- Worker rights don't disappear without a formal contract
What the Industry Recommends
- Major federal holidays are paid days off
- If worked time-and-a-half is the minimum
- 2 weeks PTO per year
- Sick days are typically 3-5 per year
- All terms in writing before start date
- Flexible holidays where nanny chooses which days
- Observed holidays when date falls on a weekend
- Holidays that reflect the nanny's own culture
- Guaranteed hours when family cancels last minute
- PTO separate from sick days
Does Your State Have Extra Protections?
12 states and 3 cities have passed a Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights (NY, CA, MA, IL, NJ, OR, NV, CT, HI, NM, VA, RI + Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington D.C.). None specifically mandate paid holidays, but they establish stronger baseline rights around wages, overtime, rest days, and written agreements.
Washington state passed its own Bill of Rights in March 2026, effective July 2027.
Full list and details: National Domestic Workers Alliance ↗Sources
U.S. Department of Labor: Domestic Service ↗
FLSA Fact Sheet #79B: Live-in Domestic Workers ↗
National Domestic Workers Alliance: Bill of Rights by State ↗
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or employment advice. Laws and employment practices vary by state and individual circumstances. Consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
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