Record holiday spending predicted as Americans prepare to shop
- Florida state offices will close on additional days this holiday season to reward employees.
- Governor Ron DeSantis emphasizes planning to allow state workers to spend time with their families.
- This initiative reflects a broader trend of increasing employee benefits and holiday spirit in the state.
In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has granted extra paid time off to state employees as a holiday gift, closing state offices on December 23, 24, and 31, 2024. This closure is in addition to the regular holidays observed, which include Christmas and New Year's Day, resulting in a total of four extra days off for employees during the holiday season. DeSantis remarked that Florida's positive condition reflects the state’s strength and aims to reward the workforce that has dealt with significant challenges over the past year, including multiple hurricanes. This adjustment comes after last year’s similar initiative, highlighting the governor's recognition of the hard work put forth by state employees, who number around 165,000. Furthermore, the extended time off is intended to encourage state workers to spend more time with family during the holidays, aligning with national trends of increasing holiday spirit and consumer expenditures during this time.