State workers must put in a full day on eves
Associated Press
Hawai'i state employees won't get off from work early like they usually do Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Gov. Linda Lingle said taxpayers can't afford to give such an expensive gift to state employees as the economy declines and the state budget is running short.
Instead, the state's 53,000 employees in 17 departments will work full shifts the day before the holidays.
The state says it will save about $15 million in productivity because employees will be at work instead of starting the holidays early.
This is the first time in Lingle's six years in office that the state won't allow employees the administrative leave.
State workers can still take Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve off if they use vacation time.
