Many workers aren’t sure what to expect when November 11 — or Veterans Day — rolls around. This can especially apply if you're an hourly worker, have a part-time job, or working in a job without set benefits. 

Will you get the day off? Will you still be paid? And if you do work, does overtime kick in?

While Veterans Day is a federal holiday, there are no set rules for how it affects your paycheck. It can vary depending on federal or state laws, as well as employer policies. 

Let’s take a look at the ways employers treat Veterans day and what you can do if your paycheck ends up being less than expected.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday. Most government offices and federal agencies close and eligible federal employees typically get the day off with pay. But that’s not always the case for other types of employers.

For example, some employers from the private sector may offer their employees a day off. Others may treat it like a regular workday, while others offer a floating holiday instead. That means you can choose when you want to take a day off if you decide you want to work on Veterans Day. 

If you’re a part-time or hourly worker, you’re less likely to receive paid time off unless your company includes it in your benefits package. Your employer gets to decide their policy as far as how Veteran's Day will be handled, unless you’re an eligible government worker. Here's more about what you can expect.

There are no federal labor law mandates that require employers in the private sector to offer paid holidays, including Veterans Day. 

Here’s the key thing to know: Federal labor law doesn’t require private employers to offer paid holidays, including Veterans Day. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) states that paid time off for holidays is a benefit that is entirely up to the employer. There is also no requirement that the employer pay for time that an employee doesn’t work during a federal holiday. 

Some states may have specific rules, but private employers are rarely required to pay extra unless it’s written in an employee agreement or in a union contract. Arizona, California, and Tennessee, for example, don’t mandate paid holidays for employees in the private sector. 

If you’re unsure of what your employee benefits are, check with your HR department. Or, some employee handbooks or offer letters explicitly outline which holidays are paid. You can also check your collective bargaining agreement if you’re represented by a union.

Working on Veterans Day doesn’t automatically mean you get overtime pay. Instead, overtime is based on how many total hours you work in a given workweek and not whether those hours fall on a holiday. That is, unless overtime pay is specified in your work contract. 

For example, most nonexempt employees must be paid overtime for hours that are over 40 within a week under federal law. That could mean that if your employer treats Veteran Day as a regular workday but you work more than 40 hours that week, you may be owed overtime. Otherwise, you’ll be paid your normal rate if the hours you work are 40 or less. 

There may be some exemptions where public safety professionals, healthcare employees, or union workers have contracts that specifically offer overtime pay for holidays. Again, be sure to check your contract or state-specific labor board for guidance on what you qualify for. 

There may be some situations where your employer gives you overtime pay and holiday pay on Veterans Day. For instance, if your company observes Veterans Day as a paid holiday but also requires certain staff to work, you might receive both types of pay. 

Depending on your employer, you could get double-time or time-and-a-half for these holiday shifts. This could be on top of any overtime pay you may also qualify for, though you will need to work over 40 hours a week for this to kick in. 

Sometimes referred to as “holiday premium pay,” you’ll commonly find this practice in industries like retail, hospitality, healthcare, and transportation. 

If you don’t get paid on Veterans Day, or your hours are cut that week, it’s possible your paycheck could take a hit. It can feel frustrating as bills may still be due or you have extra expenses that crop up around that time. 

You may need to make some adjustments to your budget, like putting off certain purchases if possible until the next week. Although turning to loans may be necessary if you’re really feeling the pinch. But you don’t need to take out expensive ones that charge high rates and fees.

This is where EarnIn can help. For eligible users with consistent direct deposits, EarnIn uses earned wage access (EWA) and through its Cash Out¹ feature lets you get up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays. So this can help you make up for the shortfall until your next payday. You won’t need to pay any interest or mandatory fees. 
Having this flexibility can make a huge difference when your hours or your pay can be unpredictable during the holidays. 

Here are a few common situations and how they typically play out across different job types when it comes to how Veterans Day can affect your paycheck:

When it comes to federal employees, they almost always get the day off with pay. Veterans Day is one of the 11 federal holidays recognized in the United States. Unless you're in an essential role that requires coverage, you’ll likely get a paid holiday with no overtime involved on this day.

When it comes to the private sector, employees who have the day off may or may not get holiday pay. It will depend on company policy since there is no legal requirement for them to provide paid time off. Those that work may get paid overtime if it’s in the policy or their hours count for overtime. 

However, if you’re a public safety worker, have a job in the healthcare industry or are part of a union, you may have special agreements. You may be offered a higher pay rate for Veterans Day.

Whether or not you get holiday pay on Veterans Day depends on factors like your employer, type of job you have, and whether you’re part of a union. That’s why it’s so important to check your company’s holiday policy in advance and understand your employment agreement. 

You’ll also want to track your hours, especially during short weeks so that you are aware of how much you could get paid. If you do end up getting less for your paycheck, tools like EarnIn can help smooth the gap without relying on high-interest loans. Knowing what you can expect ahead of time can help you make better financial decisions during federal holidays like Veterans Day.