Russia has laid out updated holiday and work schedules for the New Year period of 2025, detailing important guidelines for businesses and public services during this festive season. According to the Russian government regulations, the New Year holidays extend from January 1 to January 8, followed by altered work hours for various institutions.
The last working day of 2024 for many organizations will be December 28, with December 29-31 designated as weekends. Many public sectors, such as the Ministry of Digital Development for the Belgorod region, announced their office hours, advising the public to prepare for altered service availability. The Department shared, "All MFC (Multi-functional Center) operations will resume on January 9, 2025." During the New Year festivities, it is common for public institutions to suspend various services, particularly passport issuance and civil registry operations, for several days before and after January 1.
According to Russian labor law, employees must be informed of the public holidays’ effect on their paid leave. Every worker is entitled to 28 calendar days, but with non-working public holidays from January 1 to January 8 excluding from counted vacation leave days. For example, if one takes leave starting on December 28, the effective leave period ends January 18 as the non-working days do not count toward the vacation allowance.
Holiday pay procedures are also affected by the holiday schedule. All employees earning salaries will receive compensation consistent with their workdays during January 2025, even if the first eight days are public holidays. A report clarified the situation: "If January's holidays overlap with paid leave, financial calculations for vacation days will accommodate this. For example, employees working at fixed or hourly rates will see adjusted payment for work completed during January, taking the holidays solely for leave calculations."
Starting with January 9, offices will revert to their standard operating hours. The MFC advised clients to confirm any appointments online prior to the holidays, assisting with service registration for urgent matters like birth or death registrations and identification processes. Such measures help minimize inconvenience during the busy holiday schedule.
Health care services will similarly modify their hours. Public clinics will be non-operational from December 29 to January 8, managing limited services during this time with only emergency care available. Patients are encouraged to call their local clinics to clarify service availability. These adjustments are typical, ensuring medical staff is on hand for emergencies without disrupting the holiday responsibilities of the wider personnel.
Many banks will also alter their operations, with many closing from December 29 until January 8, providing limited service through select “duty” offices. Public advisories highlighted the importance of planning financial needs accordingly: “Most branch services will be suspended, especially for corporate clients, until banking returns to normal on January 9.”
Post service operations are similarly affected, with baseline operations observed on reduced schedule days and complete suspensions over the peak festive periods, ensuring delivery within the expected time frames and dependent on regional specifics.
Another prominent sector underscored is the employment regulations around sick leave during holiday periods. Employees on sick leave will receive payment covering all non-working holidays during their absence due to illness or family obligations, emphasizing the protective labor laws to support workers unable to function due to health issues.
Overall, the upcoming 2025 holiday season regulations highlight Russia’s structured approach to public holidays and employee rights, ensuring both citizens and workers navigate the festivities without difficulties. The clear communication from various agencies about services and schedules reinforces the importance of planning during these celebrative days, promoting responsible management of services and employee rights.
