Is it common practice for employers to have a probationary period that excludes payment of wages for holidays? This is my first encounter and it’s not written in the employee manual.

10 Comments

1. E CJanuary 11,2025 at 7:16PM UTC

   I worked for an employer who did this. It's a sign of an employer who a) has high turnover and doesn't want to pay people who won't stick around long, b) doesn't value their people well enough to compensate them for working holidays, or c) all of the above. There is no requirement that employees be paid extra for holidays, unless state laws or union contracts require.

2. AnonymousJanuary 11,2025 at 11:39PM UTC

   Some employers do. Get some time in. Document what you learned, implemented and achieved. Then find a position with a company that values and recognizes employees and provides benefits.

3. AnonymousJanuary 12,2025 at 2:57PM UTC

   It’s common to have a probationary period.

   I haven’t had unpaid holidays outside of hourly (nonexempt) jobs. Six paid holidays was the minimum.

   That said, if you’re an hourly employee, working on contract, or as some kind of temp-to-hire etc. it’s possible.

   When does the probationary period end? Are you receiving other normal full time benefits during probationary period, like subsidized health insurance and retirement savings?

4. Michele PetersonJanuary 12,2025 at 3:09PM UTC

   There was never mention of a probationary period but it was implied due to the written policy on when benefits kick in such as health insurance, sick time and vacation. I was just surprised when I didn’t get paid for the recent holidays. Three whole days and there was no verbal or written notice.

5. AnonymousJanuary 14,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

   Chalk it up to starting a job around the holidays.

   I imagine you would have really appreciated those 3 days wages. Hopefully it’s a 30d and not a 6 month probationary period.

6. AyianJanuary 12,2025 at 3:23PM UTC

   Yes, it is a common practice. Generally it's 90 days, but some have 6 months or an amount of hours worked on a year as minimums for holiday pay.

7. AnonymousJanuary 12,2025 at 5:04PM UTC

   Yes and it’s especially common in small business some even have up to a year - especially in employment types that have high turnover.

8. AnonymousJanuary 12,2025 at 7:06PM UTC

   It depends on the job, pay grade, and industry. Part-time jobs often do not include paid time off (PTO). For full-time wage earners, it is not uncommon, especially during a probation period. Salary earners generally get holiday pay, even during probation. Commission-only jobs are in a class by themselves for PTO. I sold cars for a couple of years and was in the hospital for four days. My paycheck deducted my draw for the four days, so I didn't even get that (this was not even during the probation period). If I took a vacation, the PTO pay was an average of the draw+commission for the last six months. I'm unsure how other commission-only jobs work, but that was my experience.

   Just a side note: non-profits (especially religious ones) are exempt from some labor laws, so the answers or experiences could also vary. This will vary by state, and some of it depends on the size. Where I am, a non-profit incorporated as a "church" is not required to participate in unemployment insurance or FMLA. Some do voluntarily,

9. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 11:39AM UTC

   Having lived all over the USA except the mid-west, what you’re dealing with is not common. I’ve been hired AFTER a holiday so I wouldn’t be on that payroll cycle and I also worked holidays where it was STRAIGHT pay and not time and a half because of the probation. (Kindly ask HR or your supervisor which paid holidays you are eligible for. Please note the wording. If there are none, find a new job!)

10. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 7:40PM UTC

    varies depending on company policies, so yes it can be if that is how they have it set up. It's more common than you may believe. Why pay someone when they have so little investment compared to other employees.