The exact number of companies that are off for Juneteenth is difficult to determine, as the observance of this holiday varies from workplace to workplace. However, the list of companies that are publicly acknowledging Juneteenth is growing.
According to the Juneteenth 2020 Corporate Guide, over 200 companies—including Amazon, Apple, Starbucks, Microsoft, Nike, Target, and Walmart—are offering at least one of four available forms of paid time-off to employees: paid time-off, a day of service, an educational component, or a virtual celebration.
Additionally, some companies are extending Juneteenth observance beyond the holiday itself, by providing additional forms of coverage or a more extended Juneteenth holiday weekend.
What companies are taking Juneteenth off?
An increasing number of companies have made the decision to observe Juneteenth this year, such as Apple, Twitter, Nike, Target, Best Buy, Bank of America, Mastercard, Uber and Lyft, Verizon, AT&T, Microsoft, Uber Eats, Ford, Starbucks, and Walgreens.
This is part of a larger movement for companies to value their Black employees and customers, by taking the day off to recognize the historic significance of Juneteenth. While Juneteenth has long been celebrated in many African-American communities, it wasn’t recognized on a national level until recently.
In response to the protests following the death of George Floyd, many companies have made a public commitment to have a day of reflection as well as diversity and inclusion initiatives to help create systemic change across their work force.
Does everyone get Juneteenth off?
No, not everyone gets Juneteenth off as it is a relatively recent holiday observed only in some states and municipalities. Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas in 1865 and is a state holiday or special day of observance in 47 of the 50 US states.
Moreover, many private employers, including some large companies, have announced Juneteenth as a company holiday. Those that don’t have the day off may work with their employer to determine any special ways the company chooses to commemorate or observe the holiday.
If given the choice, employees may also have the option to use vacation, floating or personal days to honor the day with a day off from work.
What percentage of employers give Juneteenth off?
The exact percentage of employers that give Juneteenth off is hard to pinpoint, as it varies widely depending on location, industry, and size of organization. According to a survey conducted by KGW8, only 9% of employers in Portland, OR currently provide employees with paid leave to observe Juneteenth.
At the same time, a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported that nearly a quarter (24%) of employers planned to recognize the holiday in 2020.
The trend of employers providing paid leave to observe Juneteenth is rapidly growing across the US. For example, recently, governors in both Virginia and California announced that Juneteenth will become a paid state holiday for all state employees.
Similarly, companies such as Nike, Twitter, and Target have all announced plans to extend Juneteenth as an official paid holiday for their employees and contractors.
On a global scale, the data is still emerging. For example, a survey conducted by the Guardian suggests that only 14% of British employers provide their staff with a day off to observe Juneteenth. However, the holiday remains mostly unrecognized in other nations, making it difficult to gauge the exact percentage of employers worldwide that give Juneteenth off.
Is Juneteenth a federal holiday for all workers?
No, Juneteenth is not a federal holiday for all workers. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, recognizes the day in 1865 when a Texas newspaper first reported the end of slavery in the United States.
While Juneteenth is widely celebrated, it is not a federal holiday for all workers. However, some states and local governments have recognized Juneteenth as an official holiday, where state offices and some businesses may be closed in observance.
Additionally, over two hundred cities, including Washington D. C. , have formally recognized Juneteenth as an official holiday. Numerous companies have also followed suit and provided their employees with the day off each year.
Even though Juneteenth is not a federal holiday, employers have the discretion to grant the day off with pay. Without official recognition by Congress, however, the federal holiday status of Juneteenth is unlikely.
Despite the absence of the federal holiday designation, Juneteenth continues to be an important day celebrated across the United States.
What is closed on Juneteenth?
On Juneteenth (June 19th), many employers, schools, and state and federal government offices are closed to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Although Juneteenth has not been recognized on a national level in the United States, many states and cities have established Juneteenth as an official holiday or special day of observance, and several major companies have chosen to close their offices in observance of the day.
Many businesses, non-profit organizations, banks, and other institutions often close for the day, and many communities and organizations hold special events and celebrations to mark Juneteenth. Additionally, many local government and community services are curtailed as people take the day off to celebrate and reflect on Juneteenth’s legacy and importance in American history.
Is Monday June 20 a federal holiday?
No, Monday June 20 is not a federal holiday. There are only 10 federal holidays in the US, and Monday June 20 is not one of them. These holidays include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Can I be forced to work on a federal holiday?
No, according to the U. S. Department of Labor, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require employers to provide holiday pay for federal holidays. However, if you are required to work on a federal holiday, the FLSA does require that workers receive premium pay for the time they spend at work.
Generally, this rate is equal to one and one-half times their regular hourly rate. Additionally, some states may have their own laws that provide additional protections to employees and mandate extra pay for holidays.
Your local laws should be consulted to determine if any additional protections may apply.
What companies offer Juneteenth as a paid holiday?
Many large companies have begun offering their employees a paid holiday on Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. For example, Google, Apple, and Microsoft are providing their U.
S. staff with a paid holiday on Juneteenth, so their employees can observe the day. Other tech companies, including Uber, Twitter, Etsy, IBM, and Amazon, are also giving their employees a paid day off for Juneteenth this year.
Banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs are similarly granting the holiday as a paid day off. Other large corporations such as Walmart and Target are also providing their staff with a paid day off on Juneteenth.
Additionally, there are some US cities who are recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday, including Austin, Texas; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Seattle, Washington.
Is Amazon going to pay for Juneteenth?
Yes, Amazon has announced that it is going to pay for Juneteenth. The company will recognize Juneteenth with an optional paid day off for all Amazon employees on June 19 of this year. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos stated that the company will provide a float day for all U.
S. -based employees, in recognition of Juneteenth, for those who want to take it as a paid day off. All corporate buildings in the U. S. will also be closed on June 19, 2021. Additionally, the company is committing $10 million to support organizations such as the United Negro College Fund, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the National Urban League, the NAACP, and the Reginald F.
Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture in 2020 and 2021. Amazon’s goal is to “support the Black community through its commitment to combating systemic racism and increasing educational and economic opportunities for Black people”.
