No Word Yet on Extra Day Off

There still has been no word from the White House regarding whether President Bush will grant December 26, a Friday, as a day of paid time off without charge to leave for federal employees. It has been a traditional—but still discretionary—practice for Presidents to give employees a paid day off when the calendar falls that way. President Bush did so in 2003, announcing his decision that year on December 9. Certain agency operations continue even if a day off is granted. It is not a traditional practice for employees to be granted a day off on January 2 when it falls on a Friday, however.