DeSantis Surprises Florida State Employees with EXTRA Holiday Leave – Here’s What You Need to Know

Continuing his annual tradition, Governor Ron DeSantis is once again embracing his “DeSanta Claus” persona by granting state employees additional paid time off.

By Sheenu Gupta On Dec 11, 2024 Share with new partner:

Governor Ron DeSantis, often playfully referred to as “DeSanta” for his generous holiday gestures, has struck again. Following his decision to grant state workers an extended five-day break over Thanksgiving, DeSantis announced on Tuesday that he would be offering similar benefits during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the governor revealed that state employees would receive three additional paid days off this month—December 23, 24, and 31. Combined with the official holidays of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, this move allows state workers extra time to relax and enjoy the season with their families and loved ones.

DeSantis emphasized the importance of spending quality time with family during the holidays, positioning the gesture as a way to show appreciation for state workers’ dedication and service throughout the year.

This decision provides state workers with a generous five-day weekend leading into Christmas, which includes the official holiday of Christmas Day. By adding the extra days off on December 23, 24, and 31, Governor DeSantis is offering state employees an extended break to enjoy a lengthy period of rest and celebrate the holiday season with their families.

The following week, state workers will also enjoy the benefit of having New Year’s Eve off, which falls on a Tuesday, in addition to the traditional New Year’s Day holiday on Wednesday. This extended break gives employees a smooth transition from one holiday to the next, ensuring more time to relax and celebrate.

Since taking office, Governor DeSantis has consistently shown generosity when it comes to providing additional time off for state employees, especially around the holidays. This year, he continues his tradition of offering extra paid leave during the Christmas and New Year’s periods. In fact, this is part of a pattern DeSantis has established throughout his tenure, where he has regularly extended holiday breaks for state workers.

For instance, earlier this year, DeSantis granted a special four-day weekend for the 4th of July holiday by closing state offices on Friday, July 5. Similarly, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, DeSantis has consistently provided extra paid time off each year of his administration. Just last year, he closed state offices for an additional three days during the holiday season, further demonstrating his commitment to giving state employees more time to spend with their families during the festive period.