Gov. DeSantis gives state employees the gift of extra paid time off

Gov. Ron DeSantis is playing Santa and giving state employees some extra holiday time off.

State offices will officially be closed on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, per DeSantis. That’s on top of the normal days off for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Governor also already gave employees off an extra day on Nov. 26.

“Our state employees have worked hard throughout the year,” DeSantis said in a press release. “I hope they enjoy additional time off with loved ones and friends this holiday season. The First Lady and I are thankful for their continued dedication to the people of Florida.”

Times have been good in the state of Florida this year: There have been no hurricanes, with the season officially ending this month, and surpluses in the budget have been used to pay off the state’s debt early.

DeSantis — and a long line of Florida Governors — have given state employees extended holiday weekends. (Private sector bosses, take note!)

For instance, for this year’s July 4 holiday, DeSantis also shut down state offices on July 3 for the 100,000 people in the State Personnel System.

Former Govs. Rick Scott and Charlie Crist also gave more time off during the holidays.

Florida employees normally get nine holidays off throughout the year: New Year’s, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday after, and Christmas.

However, not everyone benefits when the state offices shut down.

According to media reports, OPS, or the “part-time employees hired to fill temporary staff shortages,” won’t get the extra paid time off and are essentially furloughed.