Holiday Dilemma: Do We Get Extra Days Off if 2nd and 31st October Fall on a Sunday?

Dear sir,

Please tell me about 2nd October and 31st October holidays. If these days fall on a Sunday, what provisions does the company act provide for employees to receive 2 extra days off?

Thank you.

Understanding Holidays for Private Establishments

Holidays for private establishments are governed by the respective State's Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act. Under these Acts, there are two types of holidays: national holidays and festival holidays.

National Holidays

National holidays are clearly defined. For instance, it will be provided that January 26th, May 1st, August 15th, and 2nd October are holidays.

Festival Holidays

The number of festival holidays to be given in a year will also be mentioned in the Act, which can be 5 or nine festival holidays depending upon the state enactment. The festivals to be observed as closed holidays for the establishment shall be decided by the company in consultation with the employees. Therefore, if any chosen festival falls on a Sunday in a particular year, an alternative festival holiday can be given.

Handling National Holidays Falling on Sundays

In the case of national holidays specified in the Act, if they fall on a Sunday in a particular year, no additional holiday is required. For example, in 2016, two national holidays fell on a Sunday: May 1st and 2nd October. There is no need to compensate for these holidays.

31st May may be a festival holiday, and you can give a certain number of festival holidays in 2016 apart from holidays falling on Sundays.

Regards, Madhu.T.K

Sir, it depends on company policy if the company wants to give these holidays on another day, then employees can avail them. I have seen in one company that if a holiday falls on a Sunday, employees can take that holiday on another day. It is not compulsory for the company, but if an employee works on a Sunday (2nd October), you can apply the same method. You have to provide him with one weekly off and double overtime.

Mandeep Gahlawat