Does My Nanny Get Paid for Thanksgiving? The Guide to Guaranteed Holiday Pay

Nov 6, 2025 | GTM Blog, Household Employee Management

The holidays are a busy time for every family, and while you may be planning travel or preparing a large meal, the question of nanny pay for days off often causes confusion.

The short answer: Yes, professional nannies typically receive guaranteed pay for major federal holidays.

For household employers, clarifying holiday pay expectations before the schedule is set is crucial for maintaining a fair, legal, and stress-free relationship. Here is what you need to know about paid holidays, especially as we approach Thanksgiving.

The Standard: Paid Holidays are Expected

While federal law does not require private employers to provide paid holidays, offering them is the industry standard for professional household employment. Providing paid time off on major holidays is key to attracting and retaining high-quality staff. Experienced nannies factor these paid days off into their total compensation expectations.

What is a “Major” Holiday?

Most nannies expect at least six, and often up to ten, paid holidays per year. These typically include the six major federal holidays plus several others:

New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Independence Day (July 4th)
Labor Day
Common Additions: Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or Juneteenth.

A good rule of thumb is that if your employer pays you for time off during a holiday, then your nanny should receive paid time off as well, provided you don’t need them to work.

If your household observes holidays that deviate from this list (observing cultural or religious holidays instead of federal ones), you must clearly outline this in your nanny contract or work agreement. This prevents misunderstandings when a holiday like Thanksgiving approaches.

The Rule for Thanksgiving

If Thanksgiving Day falls on a day your nanny would normally work, it is standard practice that they are paid their regular wages for that day, even though they are not required to work. This pay is part of their guaranteed weekly income.

When the Nanny Works on a Holiday

Sometimes, a family needs care on a guaranteed paid holiday, such as having the nanny work on Black Friday or even Thanksgiving Day itself.

If your nanny agrees to work on a day specified as a paid holiday in their contract, they should be paid their regular daily wages PLUS an additional premium for working that holiday.

Premium Rate Calculation: The most common holiday work rate is time-and-a-half (1.5x) or even double time (2x) their regular hourly rate. This premium is paid in addition to the day’s guaranteed holiday pay. For example, a nanny may receive 8 hours of holiday pay plus time-and-a-half for the hours worked.

The Power of Guaranteed Hours

The concept of paid holidays is directly tied to the Guaranteed Hours clause in your nanny contract. This clause is a foundational aspect of legal household employment.

Guaranteed Hours Defined: This ensures your employee is paid their full agreed-upon weekly salary, even if the family does not need them for the full number of hours (if the family is traveling or taking a vacation day).
The Link to Holidays: If your family takes Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving travel, your nanny should be paid for both days, provided those were scheduled workdays. This consistency ensures the nanny has a stable income, which benefits the employer by fostering greater commitment and morale.

Addressing Scheduling Nuances

It is important to cover specific scheduling scenarios in your contract to eliminate confusion:

Weekend Holidays: If a major holiday like Christmas Day or July 4th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, most contracts specify that the paid holiday will be observed on the preceding Friday or the following Monday. Always clarify which day is designated as the paid holiday.

Key Takeaway

A comprehensive, written work agreement is the foundation of a successful household employment relationship. By clearly detailing your policy on paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time, well before the busy holiday season begins, you ensure that both parties are on the same page and fully compliant. GTM is here to help you structure a legal, fair, and competitive contract. Contact us today at (800) 929-9213 or book a complimentary, no-obligation consultation.