US Trends

is there work on presidents day

There is no single yes-or-no answer: many people work on Presidents Day, but many others have it off, depending on the job and employer.

Quick Scoop

1. What kind of holiday is Presidents Day?

  • Presidents Day (officially Washington’s Birthday) is a federal holiday in the United States, always on the third Monday in February.
  • In 2026, it falls on Monday, February 16, giving many people a three‑day weekend.

2. Who usually has the day off?

Typically off on Presidents Day:

  • Federal government employees (most federal offices closed).
  • Many state and local government workers, though exact rules vary by state and city.
  • Most banks, since they follow the Federal Reserve holiday schedule.
  • Many public schools and some colleges, depending on district policies.

3. Who usually still works?

Often still working on Presidents Day:

  • Most retail stores, malls, and restaurants (it’s a big day for sales and normal shopping).
  • Many private‑sector office jobs and small businesses, depending on company policy.
  • Essential services: police, fire, hospitals, some transit and utility workers (with holiday/shift rules depending on local contracts).

4. Why the answers online seem mixed

If you read forum or social media discussions, you’ll see:

  • Some teachers and school staff venting that they still have a workday (sometimes a training or “professional development” day) even if students are off.
  • Other workers celebrating a paid day off or long weekend, especially in government and banking.

That’s why you’ll find a lot of “I have to work” and “I’m off today!” posts side by side.

5. How to know if you work on Presidents Day

To get a clear answer for your specific situation:

  1. Check your company’s or school’s official holiday calendar (often in your contract, HR portal, or handbook).
  2. Look at recent HR emails or notices around “holiday schedule” for February.
  3. If it’s still unclear, ask your manager, HR, or union rep directly.

In short: Presidents Day is a real federal holiday, and many government workers, bank staff, and students get the day off, but a large share of private‑sector employees and retail/service workers still work as normal.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.