2026 Holiday Dates & Schedule
Dear Colleagues,
The University will be closed in observance of the 2026 Thanksgiving holiday on the following days:
EIU also will observe the 2026 Holiday season and the 2026/2027 New Year's Eve/New Year's Day on Eastern's four official holidays:
Please note all offices must remain open through December 23, 2026. The University will reopen for full service on Monday, January 4, 2027.
In addition, per IGP #7.5, paid Gift Days for 2026 will be observed on:
Employees, including probationary employees, will not have to use their own leave time for these days. Essential employees of the University will still be required to work on one or more of the Gift days. Vice Presidents and/or Directors will identify those areas/employees deemed essential for University operations. An employee(s) identified as “essential” will be allowed to flex the Gift days at another time but must use that time by March 31, 2027. For more information regarding Gift days please visit here.
Employees who are in probationary status who wish to use time outside of the Gift days (example, December 22, 23, January 4), will be allowed to use any available accrued leave or take leave without pay during the Holiday season, with supervisor approval. Probationary employees who wish to use accrued leave during the holiday period must submit the Civil Service Employee Request for Accrued Leave During Probation form online and available here.
Supervisors are encouraged to approve time-off requests, unless the employment is required for essential duties during that period, or the time off impedes the ability for the office to remain open through December 23, 2026. Should an employee choose to take leave without pay, please note that accrued leave, sick leave and service credit will not be earned.
Please note that the following eligibility rules apply for holiday compensation: Employees must be in an approved pay status, with or without pay, on the last scheduled workday before the holiday and the first scheduled workday following the holiday in order to receive holiday
pay. Employees who are subject to the provisions of a prevailing-rate agreement or a collective bargaining agreement will be paid according to the terms of the respective agreement.
Time reporting codes have previously been created for use on time sheets and leave reports. If you do not have to work on December 28, 29 or 30, please report it under University Gift Day – Non-work (763). If you must work on any of the Gift days, please report applicable time under University Gift Day – Time worked (764). If you must work and flex your day(s) at another time, when you use that day, you will use the 763 – University Gift Day – Non-work at that time.
As in previous years, please make note of the adjusted monthly payroll schedule for December. The pay date for December will be on January 4, 2027.
Inquiries regarding this information may be directed to the Benefits Office at (217) 581-5825 or by e-mailing benefits@eiu.edu.
Thank you!
Human Resources
Todd Vilardo — Human ResourcesOctober 28th, 2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GIFT DAYS
What is a gift day?
A gift day is a designated paid day that the University may provide to leave benefit eligible employees during the holiday break in December without having to use their own benefit time. A gift day is paid at straight time and does not accrue towards overtime eligibility.
What if it is determined that I am an “essential” employee who must work during the gift day?
Essential employees who are required to work on the gift day may use the gift day on another day within the timeframe identified by the administration, and with supervisor approval. The alternative time off must be taken by March 31 of the next calendar year.
I have requested a sick day for a doctor appointment on a designated gift day. Will I be required to use the gift day?
Yes, unless you are an essential employee, you must use the gift day on that day.
I am scheduled to work on a designated gift day and want to use the gift day on another day. What do I need to do?
You must follow standard protocol with your department for requesting time off and obtain approval from your supervisor. Only employees who have been identified as “essential” will be able to utilize the gift day on a day other than the designated gift day. If you do not know if you are “essential”, please work with your supervisor.
I am on Family Medical Leave from over the holidays. Do I need to use my gift day?
Yes, you are required to use your gift day. The day will be a paid gift day but will still count towards your FMLA leave entitlement.
I am currently on leave, am I eligible for the gift day?
You may be. Please contact Human Resources at benefits@eiu.edu or call 217-581-5825 to discuss your specific situation.
I am a part time employee. Am I eligible for the gift day?
In general, part time employees not accruing benefit time are not eligible to receive the gift day. Please contact Human Resources at benefits@eiu.edu or call 217-581-5825 to discuss your specific situation.
If I call in sick, can I use the gift day?
If the sick day occurs on a designated gift day, the time will be paid as a gift day. If you work on a gift day as an essential worker, and choose to use the gifted day later, you must follow standard protocol for requesting time off, including supervisor approval.
If I am on probation, am I eligible for the gift day?
Yes.
Does the Gift Day expire for essential personnel who work on a designated gift day?
Yes, the gift day used at some other time, must be used no later than a date identified by the administration. The alternative time off must be taken by March 31 of the next calendar year.
I was hired prior to December 31 of the current year to begin work on January 2. Will I be eligible to receive pay for the gifted day?
No, you must be in pay status and benefit eligible prior to December 28 of the previous calendar year to be eligible for the gift day.
The bi-weekly payday falls on one of the gift days. Will this remain as the official payday?
Yes, the bi-weekly payday will remain as scheduled. Direct Deposits will be available on the normal payday. If a paper payroll check is issued, it will be available for pick-up in the Cashier’s Office in Old Main, beginning at 8 am on the first official work day following the break.
Old Main Room 2020
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston IL, 61920
217-581-5825
Fax: 217-581-3614
benefits@eiu.edu
