Dec. 8, 2006 — Most government employees will get time off around Christmas, according to a proclamation from the governor.
Covered days include the official holidays of Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and the day after, known as Christmas Second Day, or Boxing Day. The proclamation also allows time off for festivals during the first week of January.
"I am instructing the commissioner of finance to review all payrolls submitted for this time period to ensure compliance with this proclamation," said Gov. Charles W. Turnbull.
For St. Croix government employees only, the governor has granted administrative leave from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, to attend the St. Croix Christmas Festival Food, Arts and Crafts Fair, according to a news release from the governor's office. St. Croix employees will also get a holiday break from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 4 for the traditional St. Croix Christmas Festival J'ouvert.
The following day, Jan. 5, the governor has granted administrative leave territory-wide from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. so government employees from St. John and St. Thomas can attend the St. Croix Children's Festival Parade. The adult parade will follow the next day, Jan. 6.
The governor's proclamation makes exceptions for "essential" employees and those already on leave.
"Employees whose regular or rotating shifts happen to fall on a day in which other employees are granted leave and employees who are considered essential by department or agency heads will be required to work as usual," the news release quotes the governor. "Employees on annual or sick leave will not receive administrative leave. I also will not grant future leave to employees who are considered essential and/or whose shift happens to fall on a day in which other employees are granted leave."
