This Friday marks the celebration of Valentine's Day, known as the Day of Love and Friendship (Día del Amor y la Amistad) in Mexico, prompting many employees to wonder if they can enjoy this occasion as an official holiday. According to the Federal Labor Law (LFT), the answer is no; February 14 is not designated as an official holiday, requiring workers to fulfill their duties as usual.
Valentine's Day, which falls on February 14, is much anticipated by many across Mexico. The day often sees people spending quality time with their partners or friends, but from a labor perspective, it poses questions about whether it is considered any kind of day off. Based on the guidelines established by the LFT, employees must work on this day like any other ordinary workday.
Article 74 of the LFT specifies the official holidays when employees are entitled to rest with pay. This list includes New Year's Day, Constitution Day, Benito Juárez's birthday, Labor Day, Independence Day, and Christmas, but conspicuously excludes Valentine's Day. This means employers are not required to grant time off or pay extra to employees working on February 14.
Despite its non-holiday status, some companies may choose to provide special leave or festivities, particularly if they aim to cultivate positive workplace environments or encourage team bonding on this romantic day.
The government formally releases the list of non-working holidays at the beginning of each year, allowing workers to plan their time off accordingly. Upcoming recognized holidays for 2025 as outlined by the LFT include:
- January 1: New Year's Day
- February 3: Constitution Day
- March 17: Benito Juárez's Birthday
- May 1: Labor Day
- September 16: Independence Day
- November 17: Revolution Day
- December 25: Christmas
For the general public, the lack of an official holiday status for February 14 may lead to disappointment, especially if workers hoped for a long weekend.
Similarly, the current discourse mentions the upcoming Flag Day (Día de la Bandera), which is celebrated on February 24 but also does not entail a break from work. While this may evoke questions among citizens about potential adjustments to their schedules, the LFT confirms no holiday bridge will occur. Workers must continue their usual duties without respite.
The lack of recognition for these two dates as holidays reveals the limited holidays stated by Mexican labor regulations and prompts discussions about whether more culturally significant days, such as Valentine's Day, should be considered for official observance. Some may argue for adjustments to the law to capture the spirit of these occasions.
Valentine's Day, though celebrated widely, stands as just another workday under the law, and it's clear the government has chosen not to include it among official holidays. Organizations wanting to offer their employees time off must do so at their discretion, relying on informal recognition rather than legal obligation.
So, as couples and friends come together to celebrate love this Friday, employees should prepare to clock in like any typical day, as joy on this romantic occasion will not translate to a day off under the LFT. For many, this simple fact serves as a reminder of how cultural celebrations do not always align with labor rights and privileges as defined by law.