Working On Christmas

[Never2Old4Disney]

My DH works in a computer data center for a huge company so they are 24/7 - 365. This year he is working Xmas Eve til 11 pm but is off on Xmas Day. He worked on Christmas for MANY years though. I don't mind though since holidays = triple pay. We don't have kids so not like Xmas is any different around here than any other day really. LOL

 

[kaytieeldr]

I understand that there are certain jobs (hopitals, police, and fire) where working holidays makes sense...but other businesses should just close.

I believe our turning into a 24/7 365 society is ruining family values and demoralizing to employees.

I think the OP works for some type of individual transportation service - maybe a cab company? Since the business (cabs) are operating, it makes sense there needs to be someone in the office to take calls and do dispatch - yes, every day, all day, year-round.

 

[smkiya]

This is the 1st year in 5 that I've been home for Christmas. We've made Christmas Eve our special day. We have a big dinner and open gifts at dh's mom's with his sister and her kid's. When we get home that night, Santa stopped by and delivered presents (he does deliver on Christmas Eve night ya know... ), and dd opened her gifts then. This year same thing, even though I'm off on Christmas Day, because the next 2 years I'm not. Hospitals never close...

 

[Mickey's Minion]

I was just informed by my boss that I have to work Christmas.. This SUCKS and my family is MAD. I was told that since I had Thanksgiving off(my normal day off any way) that it's not fair to the other office personal.. Well hopefully I hit the Powerballby then. Anyone else working?

Karen,
No, both my Dkids are older 17 & 20 but those are the only 2 days a year that I ask off. I have been with the same company for 2 years and have NEVER asked for a day off and NEVER called off sick

I'm 1 of 2 managers for a transportation company, more less a glorified dispatcher.

You guys are right, thank God I do have a job, as much as it stinks. I'm just upset because I know all that I do and sacrafice all year long, one would think my boss would be a little more understanding. There are 3 other people that don't have families that can cover for me bur it is what it is

I am sorry you have to work Christmas. It really does stink to have to work a major holiday and you have the right to be disappointed.

BUT..I have to agree with your boss. There are at least 4 people in your office that you have mentioned and you can't all have both major holidays off. You had Thanksgiving off so it is only fair that you work Christmas. It definitely stinks, but the other people in the office, no matter their family situation, have just as much right as you do to celebrate the holidays in their own way.

 

[locolala]

I understand that there are certain jobs (hopitals, police, and fire) where working holidays makes sense...but other businesses should just close.

I believe our turning into a 24/7 365 society is ruining family values and demoralizing to employees.

.

And what about providing services for people who do have to work? Grocery stores, pharmecies, fast food places.. all of those are essential. What happens if your kid gets sick and you realize you're out of tylenol, or if your ham for dinner gets stolen off the counter by the dog (happened to us one year)? There are places that need to be open, 24/7 365. Not everyone works the same schedule, so in order to be available for people who work off shifts, the businesses need to be open.

 

[disney1990]

I think it's sad that it has become so normal to work on holidays. I know it's just a day, but to a lot of people it's a special day and it's time that's meant to be spent with friends and family.

I understand that there are certain jobs (hopitals, police, and fire) where working holidays makes sense...but other businesses should just close.

I believe our turning into a 24/7 365 society is ruining family values and demoralizing to employees.

I work for an insurance claims call center. We NEVER close...yet all we do is set up claims...we can't give our insureds rental vehicles, we can't discuss if claims are covered or not...we are pretty much glorified note takers. So the claim handlers get holidays off, but the note takers don't.

I'm sorry, you don't need to call in a car accident on christmas day...it can wait.

I have off this year for christmas, but DH who works with me is scheduled to work. He will miss his son's first christmas.

So Disney World and Disneyland should be closed down for Christmas. And the Disney Cruise ships should not be sailing on Christmas Day? Just wondering how far this should be taken.

 

[Sleepy]

I agree. There are a lot of places open regular hours that don't have to be. Like Blockbuster, no one needs to be able to rent movies on Christmas day.

I am glad you mentioned that, since I used to work there. The problem is corporate greed. I remember we did have customers on Christmas Day and I wondered why in the world they would not be home. There were so few customers I doubt the sales made up for the electricity used. Interesting thing is the reason for being open had nothing to do with allowing customers to rent movies that day.

Corporate made Blockbuster open on Christmas because of the late fee issue. Back then, movies were due 2 days after the rental day (rent on Wed due on Fri). So, since Blockbuster was open 2 days before Christmas, they needed to be open on Christmas to receive the returns. I know, the simple solution was to just have the store close on Christmas and give everyone that one extra day of rental free. Nope, can't do it, because they know the number of people with due movies on Christmas day who will either forget to return them, or simply eat the late fee to avoid going out. Don't know about now, but back then it meant $2.11 for every movie not returned on Christmas day. Yep, greed.

 

[seashoreCM]

Sizing up applying for a job driving a subway train, knowing full well having to start from the bottom of the seniority ladder and work on most holidays.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[TeresaNJ]

I've had to work holidays for the last 18 years since I'm an RN. It sucks, but that's the way it is. Hospitals don't close for the holidays.

you gotta admit though, holiday pay is totally ftw!!!

ive worked basically every holiday for the past 3 years...

We didn't get holiday pay. Holidays are just considered any other day of the year. So, unless you were working OT, no extra pay.

 

[manning]

That does stink!
I recall many years ago, a newlywed and no dh home on christmas...all alone and we were on opposite shifts like two ships passing in the night for several mos, OH the memories ...maybe THATS WHY we're celebrating 25 years soon
Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS anyway!!!!!
Just wanted to add...that LAST week the dh said he got to take off three days AFTER Xmas, FIRST time ever having off after (or before for that matter) and a co-worker, also management, said, he wanted those days (dh has seniority) to which the other boss said, well, then "ill just call in sick" which basically means IF he does call in sick the dh HAS to go to work as they HAVE to have someone in...now THAT will stink...it really is FIRST time the dh will be home after holiday to hang out with our ds, and he is now a TEEN! OH the drama,. the dh will be SO MAD if he is forced to work and thus forced to use days that are left in calender year, you cannot use following year...got my fingers crossed that the other guy does NOT call in sick........we shall see............

Hopefully someone heard that. If I knew about it that other guy would packing up his desk.

 

[manning]

An interesting tidbit. There is speculation that Jesus could have been born anytime between March and June.