Half-Day Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on Thursday, December 24, 2015

This executive order grants federal executive branch employees a half-day off on Thursday, December 24, 2015, the day before Christmas. Agency heads may exempt certain offices and employees for national security, defense, or other public need reasons. The order ensures affected employees receive appropriate pay and leave treatment under existing statutes.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 78117

Impact dates

Dec 24, 2015
Half-day closure of executive departments and agencies takes effect

Key directives

Close all executive branch departments/agencies for last half of workday on December 24, 2015
Excuse employees from duty for that period
Agency heads may exempt offices/employees for national security, defense, or public need
December 24, 2015 treated as covered by EO 11582 and 5 U.S.C. 5546, 6103(b) for pay/leave purposes
OPM Director to implement order

Who is ordered

OPM Director · OPM
Agency Heads · Various

Timeline

Immediate

OPM Director authorized to implement order
Agency heads may begin determining exemptions

Near term (90d)

Half-day closure on December 24, 2015

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Minimal operational tension; standard holiday administrative practice
Exemption determinations left to agency discretion without uniform criteria specified