Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025: Public Holiday Dates, Leave, and Overtime

Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025 is coming soon, and businesses need to start planning for employee leave, work schedules, and public holiday pay.

Since the holiday falls on a Monday and Tuesday, many employees may ask for extra leave to have a longer break.

Employers must handle this well to keep the business running while also following employee rights.

This guide will explain everything employers need to know about Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025, including leave rules and overtime pay.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025 Public Holiday Dates in Malaysia

The official Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025 public holidays in Malaysia are as follows:

Year	Date	Day	Holiday	Applicable States
2025	31 March	Monday	Hari Raya Aidilfitri	All States
2025	1 April	Tuesday	Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Second Day)	All States

The exact dates are determined based on moon sighting reports by Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja Malaysia, following the Islamic calendar.

State Differences in Public Holiday Dates

While Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a national holiday, some states may declare additional holidays. For example:

Schools in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu (Group A) may have different school holiday schedules than those in other states.
Private companies may grant additional leave based on company policies.

Long Weekend Possibilities

Since Hari Raya falls on Monday and Tuesday in 2025, employees will enjoy a long weekend.

Some companies may also see an increase in leave requests before or after Hari Raya. So, employers need to plan work schedules accordingly.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri Leave Entitlements for Employees

Under Malaysia’s Employment Act 1955, employees are entitled to public holidays, including Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Here’s how leave policies apply:

1. Public Holiday Entitlement

Employees must receive a paid holiday on Hari Raya. If the public holiday falls on a rest day, employers must provide a replacement day off or pay overtime.

2. Additional Leave Options

Some employees may request extra leave to extend their celebration period:

Annual leave: Employees can use their paid annual leave for extra days off.
Unpaid leave: If they have no remaining annual leave, employees may request unpaid leave.
Half-day leave: Some companies offer early leave on the last working day before Hari Raya to allow employees to travel home.

3. Company Leave Policies

Employers can decide whether to offer additional festive leave benefits, such as:

Granting extra paid leave to employees.
Approving half-day leave on the eve of Hari Raya.
Implementing a rotational leave system to ensure business continuity.

Hari Raya Overtime Pay & Work on Public Holiday Regulations

Some businesses, especially those in essential services, retail, F&B, healthcare, and security, may require employees to work during Hari Raya.

Below are the details on how overtime pay applies:

1. Working on a Public Holiday (Within Normal Working Hours)

If employees work on Hari Raya Aidilfitri (31 March and 1 April 2025), they must receive extra pay.

The overtime rate depends on when and how many extra hours they work.

Employees who work on those dates during their normal shift must be paid twice their hourly wage (2x hourly rate).

2. Overtime on a Public Holiday (Beyond Normal Hours)

If employees work extra hours on a public holiday, they must be paid three times their hourly wage (3x hourly rate).

Example calculation:

If an employee's hourly wage is RM10:

Working 8 hours on Hari Raya → RM160 (instead of RM80)
Working 2 extra hours (overtime) → RM60 extra (RM10 x 3 x 2 hours)

Jobs with Different Overtime Rules

Some industries have different rules for Hari Raya overtime pay:

Hotels & restaurants may give employees a replacement holiday instead of extra pay.
Hospitals & clinics staff working on Hari Raya may receive a different rest day later.
Security & transport companies may give a holiday bonus in addition to overtime pay.

Replacement Leave for Public Holiday Work

Instead of paying extra, employers can give employees another day off on a different date. This is called replacement leave.

Employees should be informed about this in advance.

Hari Raya Request Leaves Spreadsheet to Manage Employees

Employers can use this spreadsheet to track which employees are taking leave during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday.

Employees can mark their leave dates to help employers adjust workloads and work schedules accordingly.

Download the template HERE

Managing Work Schedules During Hari Raya 2025

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is an important time for employees to celebrate with their families.

But for businesses, work still needs to continue, especially in industries that cannot close.

With this in mind, employers must plan schedules properly so that work runs smoothly while employees can enjoy their holidays.

Best Ways to Manage Holiday Schedules

To avoid problems at the last minute, employers should plan early. Employees should know in advance who will be working and who will be on leave.

A fair system should be used so that the same employees are not always working during Hari Raya.

Using a leave request system can help manage schedules.

Employees can apply for leave ahead of time and employers can decide based on business needs and staff availability.

Shift Rotations for Essential Services

Some industries, like retail, healthcare, security, and food services, need to stay open during Hari Raya. Employers can:

Use rotating shifts so employees take turns working.
Give extra pay or a day off later for those working on Hari Raya.
Hire temporary or part-time workers to help full-time staff.

Flexible Work Arrangements

For jobs that do not need employees to be in the office, businesses can let employees work from home before or after Hari Raya, especially if they need to travel.

Don’t forget to allow employees to have flexible working hours so they can start or finish work earlier.

Employer Considerations & Festive Allowances

Hari Raya is a time for appreciation and generosity. Many companies recognize the hard work of employees by offering festive bonuses and perks:

1. Hari Raya bonus

A Hari Raya bonus is not legally required but is a common practice in Malaysia. Some companies provide one month’s salary or a fixed cash amount as a token of appreciation.

2. Festive Gifts and Celebrations

Employers can boost morale by distributing duit raya (festive cash gifts) to employees or organizing a Hari Raya gathering with traditional food and entertainment.

3. Supporting Employee Well-Being

Long-distance travel and financial expenses can be stressful for employees.

Employers can support staff by offering salary advances before Hari Raya and providing transport allowances for employees traveling to their hometowns.

FAQ

Is Hari Raya Aidilfitri a compulsory public holiday in Malaysia?

Yes, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a national public holiday and employees are entitled to a paid day off.

What happens if Hari Raya falls on a weekend?

Employers must provide a replacement day off if Hari Raya falls on Saturday or Sunday.

Can an employer refuse to give leave for Hari Raya?

Employers cannot refuse public holidays, but they can regulate additional leave requests based on business needs.

What are the penalties for not granting a public holiday?

Employers who fail to grant public holidays may face penalties under the Employment Act 1955, including fines and legal action.

How much is the overtime pay for working on Hari Raya?

Employees who work on Hari Raya Aidilfitri (31 March and 1 April 2025) are entitled to extra pay based on Malaysia’s Employment Act 1955:

Working during normal hours on a public holiday → 2 times the hourly wage
Working beyond normal hours (overtime) on a public holiday → 3 times the hourly wage

Some industries, such as hospitality and healthcare, may offer replacement leave instead of extra pay. Employers should inform employees in advance about their holiday work policies.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a special holiday for many employees and managing it properly helps both businesses and workers.

Planning ahead can keep business running smoothly while giving employees the time they need to celebrate.

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