Only employees with kids get holidays?

[aubriee]

The family forum may not be a good place to post this since so many families with kids post on here, but excuse me households without children living in them, are still families. I am so angry right now I can't think straight. Apparently everyone at my job is wanting Thanksgiving and Christmas off. Fine, that's not unusual for this time of year. What's normally done though, is whoever didn't get the holiday last year gets first dibs this year and if still too many people are asking for them, then it goes by seniority, then by who entered their request first. I put in my request for Christmas way back in June and have been here for 11 1/2 years, so assumed I had it. Then a few days ago our supervisor sends out emails saying that since so many people wanted the holidays this year, that he decided that those employees who had children in the home 12 y/o or under will be the only ones (besides himself) getting the holidays off this year. The rest of us have to work. Excuse me, my grandchildren may not live with me, but I still want to see them celebrate the holidays (as well as the rest of my family). I have a man working on my shift that will be getting married the week of Christmas and was supposed to be going on his honeymoon that week (he's been here over six years) and has worked the last two Christmases. He put his request in back in June for the two weeks of Christmas and New Years. He's now working. There is one lady on my shift whose daughter will turn 13 y/o Dec 21st. She won't be able to get Christmas off, however a coworker who works the shift before us, has a daughter who turns 13 on Dec 26th. She is getting off both Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The two girls are less than a week apart in age, but one didn't quite meet the cutoff, so her mom has to work both days? I have another coworker about the same age I am, who has been here about the same length of time. She lives with her mother, adult daughter, and 6 y/o grandson. The only one she is responsible for is herself. When she asked, she was told that because her grandson lived in the house with them, that she got it (even though she is not responsible for the child?). We have a couple of single dads working and when they asked, they were told if they could bring something showing they had their kids Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve or Christmas day, they'd get it, but if the kid wasn't going to be in the house during that time, then they had to work. Maybe I just had to vent, but this sucks! If you don't have a kid under the age of twelve living with you, you don't count as a family and so don't need a holiday off. It's bad enough that it's for Christmas, but the same ones will also be getting Thanksgiving off, while the rest of us work that holiday too.

I've always hated it when people played the 'I've got a kid, so I get special treatment card', but this really burns me, because it's a supervisor affecting about 40 people's holidays. Anybody have a 12 y/o they want to loan me for the holidays?

 

[fireflymedic]

The family forum may not be a good place to post this since so many families with kids post on here, but excuse me households without children living in them, are still families. I am so angry right now I can't think straight. Apparently everyone at my job is wanting Thanksgiving and Christmas off. Fine, that's not unusual for this time of year. What's normally done though, is whoever didn't get the holiday last year gets first dibs this year and if still too many people are asking for them, then it goes by seniority, then by who entered their request first. I put in my request for Christmas way back in June and have been here for 11 1/2 years, so assumed I had it. Then a few days ago our supervisor sends out emails saying that since so many people wanted the holidays this year, that he decided that those employees who had children in the home 12 y/o or under will be the only ones (besides himself) getting the holidays off this year. The rest of us have to work. Excuse me, my grandchildren may not live with me, but I still want to see them celebrate the holidays (as well as the rest of my family). I have a man working on my shift that will be getting married the week of Christmas and was supposed to be going on his honeymoon that week (he's been here over six years) and has worked the last two Christmases. He put his request in back in June for the two weeks of Christmas and New Years. He's now working. There is one lady on my shift whose daughter will turn 13 y/o Dec 21st. She won't be able to get Christmas off, however a coworker who works the shift before us, has a daughter who turns 13 on Dec 26th. She is getting off both Christmas Eve and Christmas day. The two girls are less than a week apart in age, but one didn't quite meet the cutoff, so her mom has to work both days? I have another coworker about the same age I am, who has been here about the same length of time. She lives with her mother, adult daughter, and 6 y/o grandson. The only one she is responsible for is herself. When she asked, she was told that because her grandson lived in the house with them, that she got it (even though she is not responsible for the child?). We have a couple of single dads working and when they asked, they were told if they could bring something showing they had their kids Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve or Christmas day, they'd get it, but if the kid wasn't going to be in the house during that time, then they had to work. Maybe I just had to vent, but this sucks! If you don't have a kid under the age of twelve living with you, you don't count as a family and so don't need a holiday off. It's bad enough that it's for Christmas, but the same ones will also be getting Thanksgiving off, while the rest of us work that holiday too.

I've always hated it when people played the 'I've got a kid, so I get special treatment card', but this really burns me, because it's a supervisor affecting about 40 people's holidays. Anybody have a 12 y/o they want to loan me for the holidays?

I feel your pain, I have a job too that you have to work holidays but because of the shift we pull you only get it one out of 3 yrs so its not too bad.

I agree I dont think I could have thought up a more unfair way to do it. raffle or drawing names out of a hat would have been better than that.

The age of child thing is kind crazy too, you can lie to a young kid and he wont know if its the 20 or 25 so they should have been skiped over too!

 

[djblu883]

That doesn't sound in the least fair. It should be split fairly! I'm off during the holidays because my patients will be celebrating but my family will all be gone so I would gladly fill in for someone else if there was an option!!

 

[DisneyQueen1320]

I have kids, but I agree with you it's not fair. My job only offers Christmas day off and that's the only day I'm off with my family. I would love to have Christmas week off, but I know other people need it off as well. I don't like getting special treatment because I have children. I also think it's teaching a lesson to your children about taking turns. My 6yr old ask me why I wasn't off and I just replied even at the workplace we have to take turns. However I do have another week off in Dec. and this will be the week we spend time together.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I agree with you, it doesn't sound like the supervisor's decision is equitable. The previous system you described (rotation, seniority) sounds a lot more fair. And as a parent with young children--yeah, it would be painful to miss a holiday, but that's what you signed up for by taking the job, right? They knew the possibility was there.

As I see it, you can either complain to the supervisor, take it further up the chain, suck it up, or quit. I know, not great options. If you do choose to complain to your employer, I would use the "fair" aspect of it. Understand, too, the people who got the day off perk--they're just getting an advantage, it's not really their fault. The supervisor probably didn't realize that emotions would run so high on this, when he made his decision.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I have children, but I totoally agree with you. I would be so upset right now, too, if i were you.That simply is not fair. The holidays mean family and family is anyone people that love each other, not just ones with children. That is just wrong. I am so sorry. That is really discriminatory. I am sure you will get responses for both sides, but honestly, it really is wrong.

 

[brymolmom]

WOW - young kids here and just WOW - no way should this happen. Things like this give us parents with kids a bad rap when it comes to things like time off. People I work with think I get tons more time off, etc. because of my kids - but I only get paid for what I work so I end up making a lot less too - and they could do that too if they wanted. Anyway - on to your problem. Seems to me the best way to deal with this would be to have everyone break it up into smaller chunks - whoever doesn't celebrate with family until afternoon/dinnertime take the early shift - like 8 to noon, and those with younger kids doing the 'santa' thing maybe go in for noon- 4 and then another shift after?? And then those who are truly not in town, etc. and can't even do a 4 hour stint - well, they get next year's holiday or something.

Is there anyone you can take this to? An HR department? Writing a completely professional and NOT INFLAMMATORY letter/email to a higher up seems called for (maybe after a direct conversation with the supervisor).

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

That is unfair. I could see how they would send out an email saying something like, if you don't have kids and get XMas off, consider switching if possible. But to go ahead and say no way, no how unless you have a child is completely ridiculous and probably illegal.

If the policy has always been as you said before and now it has changed you need to contact your corporate office and file a complaint.

 

[mom2meiko]

i'm a mom and as a mom i have to say that my top priority is to be with my children as much as possible - and especially on the holidays. that being said, i have made sure that both my husband and myself have jobs that allow for that flexibility. if you agree to work for a place that must be open on the holidays then you have to understand that you will be missing out on some opportunities - whether you have children or not.

the decision made by your supervisor is ridiculous and cannot be defended. the only thing i can think of that may have made sense in his head - but is still extremely wrong - is that children under 12 may have needed an adult home with them and clearly would be out of school, etc so maybe he was trying to think of childcare issues? i doubt it, but trying to find the good intention here.

is there a higher level that you can bring this to - and are you prepared to deal with the backlash if you do?

i'm sorry you are going through this - it stinks.

 

[micheleq]

Sounds like your supervisor is doing this in a totally arbitrary and inequitable way. If you are part of a union, you and others need to file a complaint asap and ensure that there is a system in place for determining vacation time off. Otherwise, yes, sounds like you and others are being discriminated against.

Can you go above the supervisor's head to his/her boss? What is the written policy on vacation? Sounds like you work in a large enough place where there should be a policy in writing that needs to be adhered to.

 

[bellebud]

that really stinks, and seems illegal in a discriminatory way (but what do I know).

If you try, but cannot do anything about it, can you at least change your regular routine around w/ your family so you can enjoy time w/ them? We have always had one holiday or another NOT on the actual day w/ one part of our family.

for example, for the past few years, we do thanksgiving w/ my side of the family the weekend before thanksgiving. then we're free on the real thanksgiving to be w/ inlaws or whatever. We all love it, because we get 2 full thanksgivings, and it's actually better not travelling on the real holiday, and our special thanksgiving feels even more special than the real thanksgiving, because we've made an effort to really enjoy each others company, instead of splitting holidays, running around, etc.

This year for christmas, we're having christmas with my family on the 26th instead of our usual christmas eve get together. dh and I own a retail store and must always work tons of hours leading up to christmas, then on xmas eve till 3-4pm. we're exhausted by the time christmas actually comes, and poor dh would fall asleep at 8pm on christmas eve in the middle of my families celebration (literally in the middle of the livingroom). This year, on the 26th, we'll be rested and able to enjoy an entire day w/ my side of the family. Santa will still come to our house that day for the kids (we'll just write him a special letter asking for a visit on the 26th), and who cares that it's not dec 25. It will be our special christmas. can you do anything like that w/ your grandchildren?

good luck and hope you get it resolved.

 

[RMulieri]

It stinks , and I have been there.I work as a nurse and have NO say on my holidays.We rotate thru them.It upsets me too because there are people that get away with doing NONE of them.I knew as a nurse going in that I would be doing weekends and holidays, but it upsets me when I do my requirement and others brag about not having to.I get doubly upset since Christmas is my DD birthday.She is only 5.Still believes in Santa, not sure for how much longer.I got so mad with being stuck with Christmas 2 yrs in a row ( somehow my mgr forgot I worked it the yr before and refused to make another employee who frequently has dinner with the boss switch) So I called out.Maybe not professional, but she got the point.

 

[crash2000]

couple things...

my employer uses are seniority to base are vacation on, we have 5400 employees, I have 20 years service, and still don't get summer, or christmas for vacation.

times are changing, can't you spend time with family the week before, or after etc, thats how we do it in this household to work around are schedules.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Young kids here and not fair.

Before I had kids I always would volunteer to work the holidays so people with kids could have them off, plus in those days I would rather have New Years than Christmas off anyways. I'm an RN.

Thankfully now I landed a Mon-Fri job with all holidays off.

It does stink OP. I think your boss was trying to be nice, but he should have found a different way to schedule the holiday schedule.

 

[PrincessMickey]

I think that's very unfair. At my job we are guarenteed either Thanksgiving or Christmas off, we have to work the other. I think that's fair. If you want to work both you can and before I had kids I didn't mind working both but I'm happy to have one off. Now New Year's Eve on the other hand is our busiest day so everyone has to work but I don't mind. The night goes by super fast.

 

[cogero]

for that many people there should be a written policy and now way should you get both Christmas Day and Christmas Eve off.

My Dh is a police officer and many years didn't have either off. When he was low man in senority.

This year was the first year in over 15 years in the department that he had the fourth of July off. He is scheduled to work this Christmas and I am prepared for it even though it will be hard on the kids. To me it is just one of those things.

I do think your boss handled it wrong and unfairly and hope it works out.

 

[SCADC]

That is totally unfair.

I work at a small rehabilitation hospital as the staffing coodinator for the nursing department. Our nurses, techs and secretaries are on a set schedule and have a rotation. They work every other weekend and have a holiday rotation also. If they want to trade, that is allowed and if they want to take the holiday off, they have to get a PRN person to work that day for them.

We are usually at a low census during the winter holidays, so if we down-staff, we have a lottery and anyone who wants to put in for the drawing to be off can do so.

I am not direct care, so I do not have to work on holidays, in fact they don't want us to because it is time-and-a-half. All three of my sisters work in hospitals in direct care positions, so it is nice that I do not as I can be flexible and see them on either Christmas or Christmas Eve.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

That policy totally stinks! Whether or not you have kids at home should have no bearing on whether you get to take a holiday off! It's actually good for kids to have their parents work holidays once in a while.

My dad was a police officer and my mom was a nurse. I remember several Christmas Days when one or the other had to work. Instead of getting up at the crack of dawn to open presents, we would sleep late, watch TV and hang around the house while the anticipation grew. We would even go next door to our friends house to see what they got. When mom or dad got home, we would open our presents and then have dinner. It wasn't so bad. We survived just fine. And my parents explained that they would make extra money for working holidays so sometimes they would volunteer to do it. We learned that things can be different sometimes and we would still be fine.

I hope your boss reconsiders this policy. I agree that people who don't have young kids should get just as much consideration as those who do.

 

[Disneyforus]

I also work in health care and we have a rotating schedule. We work one summer holiday, and 2 winter holidays one year and then 2 summer holidays and one winter holiday the next. If we are not on for Christmas we have to work Christmas Eve, same with New Years and New Years Eve. So...everyone either works Christmas or The Eve or New Years or The Eve. Also, we aren't allowed to request time off between Christmas and New Years.

I think the OP issue at work really stinks. It seems really unfair and may cause hard feelings amongst employees.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

I agree..unfair policy.

Usually places will have you work one holiday or the other... For example, some get off Christmas Eve, some get off Christmas Day. Or they can do one works Christmas and then gets off New Years.

I hope you at least get holiday pay! And, well since I live in Michigan, where the unemployment rate is terrible, be thankful you do have a job. I think there are a lot of people here who would kill for one at this point. I know it still stinks for you, but if you can't change it, it always helps to look on the bright side!