Working during holidays

[kotajikikox]

Some offices give employees time off during holidays, but others don't. Some even make employees come to work on Christmas Day or during other festive seasons.

For me, I don't think it's fair to make an employee work during holidays. I think it should be voluntary - if you want to come to work, you can, but if you don't, you can stay home and celebrate with your family and friends.

Whose fault do you think it is that employees are asked to come to work during the holidays? The business owners want profit because they too have family and they will take any opportunity to make profit. So long as there are people asking for their service/products they will not ask their employees home.

It’s like someone going to some retail store at a holiday and feeling bad for the retail workers that have to work during the holidays but don’t you realize that you coming there is the reason why they’re still working?

But what do you think about making someone's work mandatory during holidays?

In my opinion, as long as they are getting paid and their time and efforts aren’t being abused by their employers then I don’t see anything wrong. If they ask to get time off, they should be given it but they should expect no payment. That’s how business goes.

[knowngunman]

How about you blame the customers? I mean if there was no demand there would be no supply right? You'll go to a store to buy something on a Christmas day and be like "I don't believe they're making you work on a Christmas day". What the hell are you in the store then? 
If nobody gets injured or sick or needs a doctor's appointment, during the holidays there will be no need for hospitals during that period right?

This is sarcasm but it's the fact  

You really want to buy something during holiday but you expect employers to free out their employees during this period as well. How will you feel seeing every store locked up when you're madly in need of what they do/sell? Although, I'm not in support of employers forcing their employees to work during festive season but there is no sense as well closing down every store during the festives. Moreover, there's contract agreement to be signed by both parties which definitely contains things like this. As prospective employee, you can humbly turn down the job offer if you're not comfortable with working during holidays. My present boss willingly open office during festive celebrations but gives break to workers.

Besides, I don't know for some countries but here in my country almost every company irrespective of public or private do give their employers a day off during the festives period. Unless you're travelling far for the holiday, three days to a week is enough for your break. This also depends on the nature of the work by the way but you don't expect to be given a month break just to celebrate one day event.

[MArsland]

But what do you think about making someone's work mandatory during holidays?

I am sure that every company before operating must have followed the customary rules and customs in the area. The point is that everything is in the official written rules and for companies that violate it, there will be protests from their employees. Especially for the official way of celebration where the majority of people have celebrated it for thousands of years. Well the company will adjust and even join in the celebration, but the matter of working hours on holidays can be overcome by changing to part-time work, for example only 6 hours a day.

[bakasabo]

Like nobody ever worked on holidays or on a day before major holiday. Even if people are at work, in the offices, they dont put much effort in their work (except those who work in malls and shops, as there are always a line of last minute buyers). For example, on a day before Christmas, on every job that I had, people work in a light mode until lunch only, then they chat till their shorten working day is over. I think that some employees are even love to work during holidays for extra payment, and they are happy to sell all their supple.

[Lida93]

Every employee wants to have vacation time during this month but they can't do much sometimes companies have their own rules about all this even every country is different.

People working in those organisations are given special days off to have their own time with families they mainly not share in the general holidays because with the type of job they do that's when their services are most needed to render to the public. I know of someone that is caught up with such job (construction company) and in his own case his company do give him a one month leave which he can spread within a year.

[icalical]

While it is important to give employees holidays, certain industries, such as healthcare and retail, require holiday staffing, but the company would pay them more and worth the effort to work on the holiday. Holidays can also be tricky with respect to flexible holiday policies, which might include voluntary holiday work or floating holidays to accommodate a diversity of religious or ethnic celebrations.It is necessary to achieve a balance, give more incentive of essential holiday work, support for diversity through floating holidays, and robust workforce planning to ensure fairness in balancing productivity. While volunteer holiday work is an ideal conceptually, it needs to be implemented in harmony with the needs of the operations so as not to disrupt services or create inequities.

[yhiaali3]

Working during holidays should be optional and not mandatory, but of course there are some work sites that cannot be vacated even for hours, so some shift workers must remain around the clock.

The solution in such cases where it is not possible to leave work is to create a shift schedule during holidays so that, for example, if someone works this holiday, he takes the next holiday off, and so everyone alternates between holidays and holidays.

Holidays are necessary to renew a person's activity and energy and to get out of the routine and boredom that causes poor productivity.

[Kelward]

I believe that any job that requires the employees to work on holidays will be stated in the terms of agreement before being employed, so I doubt that anybody will be forced to do jobs that requires them to work during holidays. Also it depends on the type of job, there are some that opens everyday and some workers must be available to work on holidays and weekends. In these types of jobs they run shifts and if your duty falls on weekends or public holidays, then you just have to do it. Some have specific days for off days, while others rotate the off days

What is important and deserving for every worker is to have annual leaves, a worker is not supposed to work without having a time of break or leave from their jobs. If there's no provisions for annual leave for workers in an establishment, that will be very unfair to the workers.

[TheUltraElite]

There are jobs that do not have any holidays but work on skeleton crews. If you belong to any of them, then my praise is there for you.

Of course most people like to take off during the year ending, not everyone is fortunate, those working in IT often have to keep their devices online and considering the fact that work from home systems have become common this type of being online for on call, is not uncommon.

Even then, always take time to unwind and exercise - these are healthy habits and will work a long way.

[Mahanton]

There are jobs that do not have any holidays but work on skeleton crews. If you belong to any of them, then my praise is there for you.

Of course most people like to take off during the year ending, not everyone is fortunate, those working in IT often have to keep their devices online and considering the fact that work from home systems have become common this type of being online for on call, is not uncommon.

Even then, always take time to unwind and exercise - these are healthy habits and will work a long way.

Yes, there are people who are really that become happy at the time or moment that they do make out such overtime or really that wanting or loving to take up some duty specially on holiday period because  they do know that they can make even more money if they would really be tending to take those jobs despite of being a rest day or holiday. Its true that not all are really that fortunate for them to have that kind of situation on which they would really be that wanting for it to be a vacant day, but for those people who are living on middle class or to poverty line then they would really be loving on taking up such opportunity and they would really be glad or happy that this one do really happen. I do understand on what OP do feels about on this thing but we do live into this world on which not all people wanting up with that kind of relaxation when there's holiday on which there would really be those people who do want to have more and doesnt care about relaxation as long they could make or earn money then this would really be their main priority. So i dont really go against with this kind of system on which there's some compulsory duty or work when it comes to holiday season as long it will really be that not against into someones feelings then i dont see any problems with this.

[rodskee]

I think that some employees are even love to work during holidays for extra payment, and they are happy to sell all their supple.

if you want to spend your holidays with your family traveling to different countries without having to work a single day in your life well i have news for you op that is just now how life works

even if you may find it unfortunate but the truth is that people get more motivated to work during the holidays to get those bonuses and be able to buy their family members gifts and be able to celebrate it the best way possible

it’s either they don’t work and have no food during the holidays or they do work and they can put some food on the table it might seem like a bad situation to be in very cagey and no freedom but in real life it’s like that

what if you tell an employer to release their employees and their employees get mad because now they have no bonus? lol people can fight for what they want and people can work for what they want

[l99l]

It doesn't seem right to me from a human perspective that a company or office forces an employee to work on a holiday.
But if I think about the company, he/she needs to continue working in that company, so there is nothing left to do, finding a middle ground is the most constructive way between the employee and the employer.
Maybe the employer needs to make the employee happy, such as giving extra wages on holidays or giving them holidays on other days.

[m2017]

But what do you think about making someone's work mandatory during holidays?

From the position of a business owner, I would say "f@ck, yeah! slaves, work!". And from the position of a worker - "I will never go to work on holidays!".

And what if your business provides services on holidays? Then this dilemma is solved by the fact that for employees, holidays are initially working days.

If we talk about your specific example with working in an office, then I think all these working and non-working moments should be discussed by both parties initially. Either verbally, but better - in writing. So that there is no dissatisfaction on the part of employees and unfulfilled tasks for the business owner. All relationships between the parties to the employment contract must be spelled out (usually in labor legislation) and this will protect workers from abuse by the business owner.

If you are satisfied with the working conditions - work. If not - look for a new job.

[mu_enrico]

This "working during holidays" thing already has strict regulations from the labor department/office depending on the country. Some countries forbid the company from doing it as mandatory, or in other words, workers should not be required to come to work. However, as you can guess, if you don't show up, your friend may take the extra payment (it will be way higher than usual), and they will be marked as a diligent or good employee, thus making it easier to get promoted. So, are you willing to sacrifice that to get a good time with your family? You might want it, but your friend might prioritize their career... And you don't have the right to forbid your friend to show up

[Japinat]

I understand your point OP, and for sure employees would love to have that. However, there are companies like pharmacy and hospitals that require 24/7 operation in order to cater to the patient needs.

Even how much the employees would love to take a break on holidays and enjoy those special days with their loved ones, the nature of their jobs won't allow. Otherwise, if the company will close in order to observe the holidays, the patient's health will be at risk.

[Roseline492]

I understand your point OP, and for sure employees would love to have that. However, there are companies like pharmacy and hospitals that require 24/7 operation in order to cater to the patient needs.

Even how much the employees would love to take a break on holidays and enjoy those special days with their loved ones, the nature of their jobs won't allow. Otherwise, if the company will close in order to observe the holidays, the patient's health will be at risk.

That's just the point everybody needs to know about some condition of work in some of the company or even hospital because some persons are already kicking against the idea of a company asking there workers to come to the work during holidays, I'm happy you have also highlighted the importance and hospitals are the most important area that doesn't need those kind of break because emergency can happen at any moment were they need more capable hands, so if perhaps all the hospital workers should take a leave on holidays what would happen to there patients who are already on treatment, actually they shouldn't make it look as if employers are wicked but they should consider what may happened if things happen on that way. However to make it more easier and convincing those who feel that is not fair by the employer should scrub out a little chance to visit any company or a hospital to get different opinion in regards to this discussion, let's see if they are not going to say the same thing.

[SamReomo]

But what do you think about making someone's work mandatory during holidays?

No, I think the offices and other companies should allow the employees to enjoy the holidays without any work burden. From humanity's perspective it's always better to allow people to enjoy their religious festivals and during those festivals work shouldn't be mandatory for them.

[Synchronice]

Some offices give employees time off during holidays, but others don't. Some even make employees come to work on Christmas Day or during other festive seasons.

For me, I don't think it's fair to make an employee work during holidays. I think it should be voluntary - if you want to come to work, you can, but if you don't, you can stay home and celebrate with your family and friends.

Giving employees official holidays during their festive seasons should be part of their benefit package. I say "their festive seasons" because Christians may want to celebrate Christmas, Muslims may want to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, and Hindus may want to celebrate Diwali.

This is also a way to promote diversity in the workplace. If Christians take Christmas off, Muslims and Hindus can work, and then when Muslims take Eid off, Christians and Hindus can work. This way, you can regulate your workforce and give employees the freedom to celebrate their holidays.

By doing this, you prioritize employees' satisfaction and well-being. This is why people don't leave jobs, they leave toxic work environments. When you make people feel comfortable and loved, they will stay, and it will increase productivity and mutual respect.

Closing offices during holidays for like two weeks might affect business revenue, but how much?

You've been working from January to December, you should have sustainable investments and is it worth making employees miss out on time with their families and friends? I don't think so.

But what do you think about making someone's work mandatory during holidays?

It's very hard to answer this question because it depends on the mood and someone's work ethic. I am workaholic, I love when I work and I also don't feel happy like a kid during holides. I feel more anhedonic, so it's not a big deal for me if my job asks me to work during holidays.
Overall, for the society, I think that it's good to give a day off to your employees during holidays because I believe that employees should be happy to be more productive and many people feel happy during holidies unlikely me

This is the main reason I decided to be self employed. I dislike working for people. They tend to mistreat their workers which is kinda in human to me.

Being self-employed or being an athlete is the best thing. Nothing is amazing as when you do the job that you love and get decently paid for that. You can go out when you want, you can take day-off when you want, that's amazing feeling.

[eightdots]

But what do you think about making someone's work mandatory during holidays?

No, I think the offices and other companies should allow the employees to enjoy the holidays without any work burden. From humanity's perspective it's always better to allow people to enjoy their religious festivals and during those festivals work shouldn't be mandatory for them.

People should have vacations. and they should relax during vacations. Employers or governments should take care to make their employees feel better. The mental health of employees affects many things in society. When people feel good, they work more efficiently and increase their sense of belonging to the workplace.

There is a difference between businesses that give their employees vacations and those that do not. The difference here is the happiness of employees and their sense of belonging to the job. Employees who feel a sense of belonging to the job work more efficiently and the profits of the businesses increase. Not every business is like this, but especially in small businesses, this situation I mentioned can make a big difference.

[XPB]

This is the main reason I decided to be self employed. I dislike working for people. They tend to mistreat their workers which is kinda in human to me.

Being self-employed or being an athlete is the best thing. Nothing is amazing as when you do the job that you love and get decently paid for that. You can go out when you want, you can take day-off when you want, that's amazing feeling.

If you can do something good by being self-employed, that's great. You can continue doing it. Others will work under you, and you will look after everything from your own place, and you can do everything as you wish. It's best if you can do that.