Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 24, 2024
The order closes all federal executive departments and agencies on December 24, 2024, the day before Christmas, and grants employees an excused absence, while allowing agency heads to require certain staff to report for national security or other public needs.
What this order does
What it orders
The order directs all federal executive departments and agencies to close on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and excuses their employees from duty. It designates that day as falling within the scope of existing pay and leave statutes, meaning employees receive holiday pay treatment consistent with those laws.
Agency heads retain discretion to keep specific offices, installations, or employees on duty when national security, defense, or other public need requires it. The Office of Personnel Management is directed to take any administrative steps necessary to carry out the order.
Who it affects
Federal civilian employees across all executive departments and agencies, who receive an excused day off on December 24, 2024. Agency heads who must decide whether any offices or staff need to remain operational for national security or public-need reasons.
Why it matters
Federal workers get a paid day off on Christmas Eve, and their pay and leave entitlements for that day are governed by existing holiday pay statutes. Agencies with mission-critical functions must still make their own determinations about which staff report.
What must happen and when
Actions and deadlines
- Close agency offices and excuse employees from duty on December 24, 2024
- Determine which offices or employees must remain on duty for national security or public need
- Take necessary administrative actions to implement the order