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AIBU?

To be fucked off about Working on Christmas Day

179 replies

Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 05:28

I am working ( not by choice) on Christmas Day ( absent from home from the early hrs of the 24 th even...) and will not be home til gone 11 pm on the 25th, hence I will be forced to miss out on everything.

The joy has gone from my heart. I'm well fucked off I can tell you.

In the past I have always shunned the idea of Christmas in a hotel, Christmas lunch in a restaurant etc. out of respect for the poor buggers who would have to work it; like their families don't matter at all ....

God it makes me so angry that people don't think about this when booking their flight,making a reservation for a mini break etc. cos they can't be bothered to do it all themselves!

" I know lets get some other poor bastard to do it instead and hey, just for god measure, fuck up a prospective special magical parent/ kids bonding session whilst we're at it!"


Am I being unreasonable?

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DropYourSword · 16/11/2013 05:35

It sucks to work Christmas day, but plenty of people have to. If you work in certain industries it's just part of the job. It sounds like you work in the service industry...has it come as a surprise to you that you're working Christmas day?

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livinginwonderland · 16/11/2013 05:52

It sucks, but the world doesn't stop just because it's Christmas. There are plenty of other religions and cultures out there and the 25th December means nothing to them - it's just another day.

Just celebrate Christmas on another day if you're working. It can be just as special even though it's not celebrated on the 25th.

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DaddyPigsMistress · 16/11/2013 05:52

Just move Christmas to the 25th. Its what we do

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DaddyPigsMistress · 16/11/2013 05:53

To the 26th even

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Featherbag · 16/11/2013 05:58

Of course YABU! I'm guessing your employer hasn't suddenly decided to open for business on Christmas Day, that you took the job knowing there's a chance you'd have to work it? I'm a nurse, I hate working the holidays (one of my shifts was as A&E triage nurse on New Year's Eve nightshift, I'm not sure there IS a shittier job in the world!), especially now I have 1, very nearly 2 young children, but I knew it was part of the job when I took it, so I don't get to complain about it! If you don't like it, make sure you're in a different job next year.

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ChippingInLovesAutumn · 16/11/2013 06:07

As a single bloke, were you planning on having Pie on Christmas Day and a nice hot, savory, drink?

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Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 06:08

Thanks Guys I'm a bit calmer now.

Woke to the news.... A cup of tea has helped.

I've never worked Christmas before, and started thinking of all the people in such lines of work that don't have the chance to spend it with their families.
I work in IT and its a new thing the greedy corporate fuckers are 'trialling.'

(Also a family member is gravely ill and I guess it's just hit me that this will be their last Christmas and I won't be there.......)

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Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 06:17

Bloke......?

Not the last time I looked

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JudyJudgypants · 16/11/2013 06:22

There are positives to working on Christmas day such as not having to get up at 4am to peel sprouts cos MIL loves them, and every time someone says will you be able to help with, you can say in solemn tones "No I won't be here I've got to WORK on Christmas day"
Seriously,you get all the karma points with none of the real sweat.
you will be well out of the way of the rows, tantrums, hissy fits that can go down in a family's Christmas day history ) plus afterwards you get to be all "tired out" on boxing day and have everyone else fuss over you because you were "WORKING" on Christmas day.
( I'm sorry your family member is ill though, I hope they defy the prognosis, but in times like that it can be of comfort to them if you carry on as normal)

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steff13 · 16/11/2013 06:24

My husband worked at a radio station when we were first married, and he had to work on Christmas. We were married four years before we spent a Christmas together. It's no fun.

Do you at least get paid double time?

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DropYourSword · 16/11/2013 06:30

chipping Why the Pie and Bovril accusation on this one? Seems pretty genuine here.

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Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 06:35

Yes, Drop , genuine.

Baffled by this too....

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OhMerGerd · 16/11/2013 06:37

My DD is working Christmas Day she's a nurse. So we're putting lunch back till she gets in it will be dinner.

Luckily she's got a 7 till 3 shift. One of her colleagues got a 7 till 7.30pm which I think is a little unfair. Regardless of whether you have DC or not most people ( who follow the predominant religion/ or it's traditions and live in this country) like to spend time with family on that day. I think the shifts should be split so people do early, late and night.

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Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 06:45

Thanks Judy, that made me chortle.

Ahhh, the reality!

Boxing Day it is- if the family can stick each other out another Day Smile

Thanks Guys!

And Featherbag ill raise a glass to you on the day!

Thanks for your dedication Thanks

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Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 06:58

Spot on re shifts OhMer!

I've often offered to work for other colleagues to free them up for their various religious festivals and they have put themselves forward for me likewise, but apparently this would be 'unfair' and tramples on one ruling for all in the name of equal practice.

Go figure.

Thank you for the comments everyone.I am officially now back in the Christmas spirit!

Now where's that advocaat.......?

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dobedobedo · 16/11/2013 07:01

Have fakemas. Every other year we celebrate Xmas a few days before the 25th and everyone likes fakemas more. Grin

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Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 07:04

Even better Dobe!

FAKEMAS - love it already! Thanks!

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IamInvisible · 16/11/2013 07:07

My DH won't even be in the country over Christmas.Nor will a lot more members of the Armed Forces. We're just going to slap a smile on our chops and get on with it.

My dad worked countless Christmases because he was a fireman. The emergency services and health workers do it regardless of whether people book mini breaks. Tbh, I can't remember a bad Christmas, we just worked everything around his shifts.

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StayAwayFromDeliriumDive · 16/11/2013 07:11

DH is working Christmas Day, as he has done on many occasions since I met him.

If you could all promise not to set fire to your turkey, or anything else for that matter, I could have some help with assembling to Lego mountain the boys have asked for...

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petalsandstars · 16/11/2013 07:13

I've got a Christmas dinner [sceptical] with PIL on 25th then with my DPs and siblings on 26th.

apparently MIL can only cook it on 25th so I'm not too fussed that shifts means the 26th suits my family better.

Family politics means my Christmas will feel like the 26th anyway

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petalsandstars · 16/11/2013 07:14

[Hmm] even...... 5 hours sleep thanks dd

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Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 07:14

You see that's what we should all be doing....giving people the chance to have it off

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Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 07:15

Christmas

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kreecherlivesupstairs · 16/11/2013 07:16

I'm working Xmas day too. And boxing day and all of new year.
That's just the way my shifts worked out.

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Flipflopskid · 16/11/2013 07:16

Now I really am being Unreasonable.....

Just please everyone spare a thought for the people out there who have to work this Xmas. That's all I ask x

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