Extra day off after Christmas likely for feds
Presidents often grant a bonus day or half-day of vacation when the holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday.
If history is a guide, there's a good chance President Bush will give federal employees a parting gift: an additional day off around Christmas.
Historically, presidents often have granted an extra day or half-day of vacation when the holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. This year, Christmas is on a Thursday, so it's likely that federal agencies also will be closed on Friday, Dec. 26, giving most government workers a four-day weekend.
Federal employees also were granted an extra day off around the holidays in 2007, when Christmas fell on a Tuesday. And in 2003 -- the last time Christmas was on a Thursday -- feds got a bonus vacation day on Dec. 26.
Usually, the president issues an executive order announcing the extra time off in early December.
New Year's is a different story. The last time feds got an extra day at New Year's was in 1973, when President Nixon gave employees a full day off on Monday, Dec. 31.
For a list of holidays in 2009, and charts that will help you plan your vacation, click here.
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