State workers are getting a five-day weekend and two four-day weekends for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays respectively.
All three holidays fall on Thursdays this year. Offices already were going to be closed the Friday after Thanksgiving.
But in a Nov. 17 news release, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he was also closing state offices the Wednesday (Nov. 26) before Thanksgiving and the Fridays after Christmas and New Year’s Day (Dec. 26 and Jan. 2).
“Our state employees have worked hard throughout the year,” DeSantis said in a statement.
“I hope they enjoy additional time off with loved ones and friends this holiday season. The First Lady and I are thankful for their continued dedication to the people of Florida.”
DeSantis has been generous to state workers during his years in office, creating extended holiday weekends whenever possible.
For instance, he closed state offices this year on Thursday, July 3, in addition to the Independence Day holiday that Friday.
But for some employees, the time off also means less pay.
State law prohibits DeSantis from extending the generosity to a class of workers classified as Other Personal Services – well known in Tallahassee as “OPS,” the part-time employees hired to fill temporary staff shortages.
There are more than 9,900 OPS workers employed by 30 state agencies, according to the Department of Management Services Annual Workforce report, and they make up about 10% of the lowest-paid state workers.
(This story was updated to add new information and because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
This story contains previously published material. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at jrosica@tallahassee.com and follow him on Twitter/X: @JimRosicaFL.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida state workers getting extended holiday weekends
Reporting by Jim Rosica, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
