College Holidays

The college schedules at least 13 holidays each year and publishes this schedule in advance.

Winter break includes 7 week days.  Independence Day is one day except when it falls on Tuesday or Thursday, in which case the college adds the Monday or Friday to make a four-day weekend. 

Holidays are scheduled for the benefit of employees and should be taken as designated unless there is an emergency or work situation that necessitates an employee to work on a holiday.

2025-2026 Holiday Schedule

Davidson College staff will observe the following scheduled holidays: ​

2026-2027 Holiday Schedule

Davidson College staff will observe the following scheduled holidays: ​

Eligibility

• Regular full-time and part-time employees are eligible for paid holidays.
• Regular employees whose positions are budgeted for less than 12 months are generally eligible for paid holidays which fall during the months worked.
• Temporary employees are not eligible to receive holiday pay.

Regular, non-exempt employees will be paid holiday pay for every college holiday on a pro-rated basis whether or not they are scheduled to work on the day on which the holiday falls. Pay is based on eight hours of pay for full-time employees. For example, an employee normally scheduled to work 20 hours a week will receive four hours of holiday pay and an employee scheduled to work 30 hours will receive six hours of holiday pay. Employees that work shifts longer than eight hours will be limited to eight hours of holiday pay.

Employees who wish to take time off for religious holidays not observed by the college may use vacation time for that day.

Holidays are not considered time worked for purposes of overtime.

Payment for Hourly (non-exempt) Employees Working on Holidays

Hourly (non-exempt) employees who must work on a college holiday will receive their holiday pay plus time and a half for any hours worked. This policy also applies on holidays when classes are in session.  Employees should only work on the holiday if scheduled to do so by a supervisor.

The following additional weekend days will be paid at time and a half for non-exempt employees scheduled to work:

• Saturday and Sunday, July 5, 2025 and July 6, 2025
• Saturday and Sunday, November 29, 2025 and November 30, 2025
• Saturday and Sunday, December 27, 2025 and December 28, 2025
• Saturday and Sunday, April 4, 2026 and April 5, 2026
• Saturday and Sunday, May 23, 2026 and May 24, 2026

Failure to report for scheduled work on a holiday will result in the forfeit of the holiday pay and is subject to disciplinary action, unless the absence is due to documented illness and the​ staff member has complied with departmental call-in procedures.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to Human Resources at 704-894-2213.

Religious Observance Calendar

Davidson encourages students, faculty, and staff to be aware and respectful of the diverse religious observances of college community members.

Faculty are encouraged to excuse a student from class attendance on a holy day and to make accommodation for assignment due dates. Offices, departments, and student organizations are encouraged to refrain from scheduling college-wide or other major events on holy days, especially those dates on which people of a given tradition usually do not work or attend school. Students seeking accommodations for class attendance, academic assignments, or athletic practice/events to observe a holy day should contact professors or coaches well in advance with such requests. Supervisors may allow an employee to take a vacation day on a holy day.

The Religious Observance Calendar is not a comprehensive list of holy days, but it includes dates of particular significance to traditions represented on campus. A description of each holy day may be found below the calendar. Suggestions for additions to this list may be directed to Chaplain Julia Watkins.

Religious Observance Calendar