Creating a Holiday List for 2021: How Many Days Off Are Required and What If They Fall on a Sunday?

Hello All, I am creating the holiday list for 2021. I want to know:

Minimum Number of Holidays

1. Whether there is a minimum number of holidays we have to provide our employees apart from the 4 compulsory ones - Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti, and Maharashtra Day?

Holiday Falling on a Sunday

2. What if a holiday falls on a Sunday? Independence Day next year is falling on a Sunday; do we need to compensate employees with another day off?

Government Resources for Holiday Laws

3. Is there any government website where I can find information about laws and acts governing holidays? I couldn't find much relevant info on plalabour.gov.in or indiacode.nic.in.

If this helps, we are a health-tech start-up. I am relatively new in the job and would really appreciate help from this community.

Minimum Number of Holidays in Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, apart from the 4 compulsory holidays (Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti, and Maharashtra Day), there is no specific mandate on the minimum number of holidays that private companies must provide to their employees. However, it is a common practice for companies to offer around 10-12 holidays in addition to the compulsory ones.

Compensation for Holidays Falling on a Sunday
When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the law does not require employers to provide an additional day off or compensate employees for that day. In this case, the following working day after the holiday is usually considered as a compensatory off day. Therefore, for Independence Day falling on a Sunday in 2021, employees may be given a compensatory off on the following Monday.

Government Resources for Holiday Laws
For information on laws and acts governing holidays in Maharashtra, you can refer to the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 1948. Additionally, the official website of the Maharashtra government's labor department may provide detailed information on holiday regulations specific to the state. You can visit the https://mahakamgar.maharashtra.gov.in/ for more detailed insights into labor laws and regulations in Maharashtra.

As a health-tech start-up in Mumbai, it is crucial to ensure compliance with all relevant labor laws and provide a fair holiday schedule for your employees. If you have any further questions or need assistance in drafting your holiday list, feel free to ask for more guidance.