TALLAHASSEE – State workers are getting Christmas Eve off as a paid holiday

For the fifth year in a row, Gov. Rick Scott has directed state offices to be closed an extra day.

This is the third time Scott has given state workers Christmas Eve off. Last year, employees had the day after Christmas off. In 2011 state employees received Dec. 23 off since Christmas Eve fell on a weekend.

In a memo sent earlier this month, Scott said he was closing state offices on Dec. 24 “in recognition of the hard work” of state employees.

In the past, state workers who perform essential functions still have to work. But state offices aren’t open.

Former Gov. Charlie Crist granted state workers both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off with pay in 2008.