Working during holidays

[Yucky]

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?

[Roseline492]

I see nothing wrong if a company ask there employees to come to the work during holidays because if everybody decided to go for holidays how would the company survived because there are company that cannot shutdown for a minute do to the kind of operation they are doing so holidays are not something that would influenced them, however what I no that most companies normally do is that if the employee resumption of duty is during the holidays they would give them privileged to discuss with other coworkers that doesn't like those holidays to cover their weeks of work for them with the agreement that they would work twice than their supposed duration after they're back from the holidays.

[Hatchy]

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. During the holidays, I still see of of my friends going to their jobs with just few hours to spend with their family during these festive periods. Being self employed has been the best decision I made in my early ages. It helps me build my own establishment without needing to take commands or control from any upper authorities. During my holidays I take time to rest and attend to customers who needs to be answered urgently.

[lovesmayfamilis]

OP, what should those people do whose work is necessary even on holidays? Demand that their boss give them the right to rest? I can already see the boss's face and the hand pointing to the door. But seriously, I think that everyone who gets a job should find out in advance what benefits they receive or do not receive when working on holidays and weekends. OP's post is more suitable for a teenager demanding equality and justice. Unfortunately, life makes other rules, and working on holidays seems to some to be one of the smallest problems in their lives.

[bakasabo]

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.

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

If you think that employee should work on holidays voluntary, then the boss should give annual bonuses also on a voluntary bases. I like how people get monthly salary for only job they must do, and expect to get some extra or a gift in form of "13th month salary". But as soon as boss asks to do something extra, then they start to complain and tell that boss is a jerk. Work more get more sounds fair to me. There are people who work on Christmas Days, even though those days are official holidays in some countries, but they get a double payment for that. But true heroes that really deserve a holiday are those employees who came to work January 1 @ 9:00 to work, instead of chatting with colleagues.

[Wexnident]

~

If companies actually gave a damn about employee satisfaction and well-being, they wouldn't be having overtimes in the first place lol. Except for govt services that are related to emergency services, pretty sure those who signed for those already knew overtime was a part of their lifes, holiday or not. Still if it was a private company and it was stipulated that overtime were a necessity, I reckon it's reasonable for the company to ask employees to do so as long as there's returns/rewards for them.

Doesn't mean that it sits well with me though lol. I never want to do overtime, ever at all if possible. Glad I've been successful so far with my freelancing, working at my own pace just boosts productivity by so much.  Compared to when I was working on a company.

[Jawhead999]

@OP that's a problem in third world countries, however this also applies to second or first world countries which don't have work life balance.

If you have an opportunity, better to move to EU/US/AU/NZ where they appreciate their employees. There will be no bullshit where they ask you to work during holidays, can't take maternity leave, holiday leave, sick leave etc.

In their mind, if you aren't dead yet, it means you can still able to work.

[Hewlet]

in some settings, such consideration are being given to workers but it's always given to workers that are not carrying out essential services. if you you visit hospital in certain part of your country, you will find out that the majority of the workers are are of the religious that is more popular in that region, if you are considering to make use of this analogy, it wont work out because for it to work, you will need to give at least 80% of workers the chance of going for the festive season and what now happens when there is any emergency?

you have the choice of choosing what you want to do with your life and if you are the type that fancy being flexible with your time, hen it is only best you stay self employed. the military guys don't even see there families for a very long time. its the sacrifice they have agreed to marked from the very moment they swore to defend their nation. same is what a medical doctor, and every other essential workers have signed up for.

[pooya87]

This is not a global problem though, at least not a serious one everywhere anyway. It is mainly in places like USA where everyone is an immigrant and their holidays are spread all over the year. Otherwise in most countries (that are countries not a colony) the holidays are clearer and everyone celebrates them not just some groups which makes it easy for a business to plan ahead knowing certain days are holidays every year, not every day of every year

The other problem is capitalism. The "capitalist" doesn't care about employees. The only thing he cares about is profit and profit is maximized if he makes them work their assess off even during holidays. Again this is not a global problem, it is mostly seen in places with the worst cases of capitalism. Again USA and China are the two biggest capitalist regimes that have this problem among their workforce.

[Akbarkoe]

snip
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?

This usually depends on the type of company, and how the business governance must continue to run even though the holiday time is, some people must also consider running their business during the holiday period, because to be honest, it is a very important time for some industries to increase their income, Because some offices or companies such as civil workers will be on vacation and spend their money to enjoy their vacation time but businesses such as mini markets and vacation needs for Christmas are a special potential in this business, they will get a very large sales, so why Lots of companies give big bonuses to their employees who continue to work on holidays or on vacation.

[cabron]

Why don't they give incentives to employees who work on holidays? This way, they won't hold a grudge that they won't be spending their days as usual. Holidays are special days, so they should at least feel special while they work.

It's supposed to be a mutual benefit for employers and employees. If this is not a good deal for them, then why should they work for a company that does care for them? The only reason companies thrive is because of them, too. It's simple to figure out.

[Adbitco]

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

If I may understand correctly there are people especially employee who have specific target at their work place, and immediately you see that target is met they don't mind quiting their jobs to focused on their business then they can have time for their families and loved once.

Sincerely I have worked with multinational companies and the way they work allows everyone to enjoyed their time and their festive moment by having back to back, maybe I may work this week for 2 weeks and after which my back will also work for 2 weeks, each of these days as time off you can spend them with your loves ones and celebrate your Xmas whatever may want to celebrate.

Even as that as then there are some incentives given to us at every end of the year and in August periods during our festive season, with this we go home with packages but that wouldn't dispute the rationing as rotation between two staff, this is how the company which I worked with before does so I don't really know for other firms if they does it that way.

[imamusma]

Why don't they give incentives to employees who work on holidays? This way, they won't hold a grudge that they won't be spending their days as usual. Holidays are special days, so they should at least feel special while they work.

It's supposed to be a mutual benefit for employers and employees. If this is not a good deal for them, then why should they work for a company that does care for them? The only reason companies thrive is because of them, too. It's simple to figure out.

Usually every company will provide incentives for employees who work outside normal hours, both on holidays and on celebration days. In addition, employees are usually free to choose, and there are no sanctions if they do not do so. I think this is generally applicable to every company, but it also depends on the initial agreement of the employment contract. Of course employees will feel special if their hard work is appreciated well, and in fact it will bring mutual benefits. I also do not ignore the other fact, that many companies are unfair in treating their employees.

[Alpha Marine]

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?

On a serious note though, I agree with OP to an extent. People should be given days off on their holidays. I guess that's why companies these days like to hire people from different religions to make things balanced. Governments usually give 3 days off for holidays. It's usually private firms that work during the holidays and even they give their staff a few days off.
Companies like radio stations, TV channels, stores, hospitals and more are needed during the holiday periods. I agree there should be a way to ration and give the staff days off.

[uneng]

It's up to the company to decide this, and it's up to the employees to agree or not with this requirement when taking the job spot. If it's a big issue for an employee to work on holidays, and considering that is a demand from the company, the person shouldn't accept the job.

What must be understood is that it's a personal agreement between company and employee, where the government shouldn't get involved. When there is someone willing to work and someone willing to offer a job opportunity, the government shouldn't disturb in anyways.

My concern is just that the government creates a law or regulation forbidding people from working on holidays.

[GiftedMAN]

Op, before you want an employee to give his or her workers holidays break during the festive period, you need to know what the company is into whether allowing the staffs to be on holidays will affect the company or not. There are some companies that makes more profits during the Christmas period they arrange the staffs and encourage them to work during the Christmas period then go for breaks after Christmas if you want them to allow their staff to be at home during the Christmas period they means you will be ready to employ them after Christmas because their position will be given to other people.

Before you take up a certain job try to go through your employment letters so that you can argue with what ever you want to be adjusted for you. Not all companies observe Christmas and if you are employed by them be ready to forget about Christmas break under them.

[Dzwaafu11]

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.

This opinion depends on the type of company; not all companies can be able to shut down even in a minute; if not, they will lose many things; their workers must be active every day and on time. So you can’t really force this type of company to give a holiday because they won’t; however, some companies don’t care whether their employees are happy working with them or not; as long as they are paying them, they don’t care. 

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.

Holidays are good on a normal I can’t deny that fact, but making it compulsory is not really a big deal to me, although a company can split it. When there is Christmas, a Muslim should be the one working throughout the holiday; when there is Eid, then a Christian should be the one working. If some company will consider that, I think it will be okay, though some companies are doing that.

[Familian]

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.

While you make this case against those offices that don't give their workers time space to partake and enjoy holidays, it would be balance if you also look at the nature of their job which gives the credence to their not having a holiday as others. Take for example security personnels, banker mostly those in the ATM department, and health workers etc.

People in this group as stated above are sensitive to this situation and have before time accepted it based on the ethics and requirements of the profession.

[BABY SHOES]

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.

At least all companies have employees of different religions mostly the same religion so it's difficult if it's all canceled while the company doesn't want to be closed because they don't want to lose even one day, what about customer complaints at that time? It will be difficult to handle.

In general, at most I myself am given a day off work on red dates... the rest continues to work according to the rules, because the area here is Muslim so most work... when Eid al-Fitr then we are off in 1 week for vacation.

[mindrust]

Life itself isn't fair. Capitalism is the new name for slavery basically. Slaves used to wear iron collars, now they wear ties. When you think about it, an iron collar and a tie are exactly the same thing. And the best part is, most blue/white collar workers (yes they call them white/blue collar workers wtf) think it is their own decision to work like that. Actually some of them actually want to be slaves. They think it is a privilege, they feel lucky for that shitty job they got.

You tell me it is unfair to work during holidays but some employees don't give a damn because they make more money when they wageslave more and you know what? They can quit whenever they like. But they don't. Because their collar is not around their neck, it is in their heads.