Should people who don’t celebrate Christmas get to have it off work?

That’s quite some interpretation. Where did Op say that?

I’m guessing you’re not Muslim so you’re probably exempt from OP’s rules.

No, I think everyone should be treated equally. If you wanted to take the Eid period off then go for it. If too many people want to take the same time off then pick straws.

I'd have thought your colleague would count himself out as he doesn't celebrate xmas...seems like he is being a bit awkward!

No, the OP said "he might go away". Nowhere did she say he specifically requested time off. I might also go away if I get Christmas off, you know. If I don't get Christmas off, I'll be working. I have not put in a request to have it off as the rosta is done my management and they don't accept requests for BHs.

Oops. Sorry

One other thing to remember schools are off and it's very difficult to get childcare over the Christmas period.

I imagine even within the Muslim community it would be very difficult to get paid childcare for Christmas day.

An employer can refuse leave and does not have to give a reason - perfectly legal.

Your memory is deficient - there is New Years Day!

Oh blimey it gets worse… “if you moved somewhere where once a year they had a celebration…” it’s getting a bit into ‘who do they think they are, coming over here…’ territory 🫢
Careful OP, your micro aggression is showing…

How is that fair or legal?
I find that difficult to believe!

Not quite right. I believe it's 9 officially
We don't get 2 at Easter - only Good Friday
We get 2 in May
We get one in Early August not one in September
We also get one for St Andrew's day

Having said that, local agreements may in fact change a couple of the days. Early August may be agreed to be the last Monday in August for example and ditto with St Andrew's day. Not everywhere will close on St A's day (banks don't have to) but it is still an entitlement, which may locally be agreed to be taken on a different day or just added to your annual leave.

In addition many councils may have local Monday holidays where shops and offices close which can vary between places. July or September are common days for these depending where you live. These are not BANK holidays though. But many people in Scotland will have that extra day to look forward to as well.

There might be an uproar on MN but not in real life.

I've never in my working life seen anyone kick up a fuss about being refused the day off on Eid. People just get on with it.

Most people have been more concerned and kicked up a fuss about having New Years off rather than Christmas.

@Tiredofallthis101 my opinion is you enter an industry knowing it has an obligation to provide 24/7 cover you have to expect to work some christmases. I always did our rota for Christmas in January so everyone knew where they stood, if someone left their replacement dropped into the vacant slot so everyone could make plans.
My industry has been through big restructuring and we now have dedicated out of hours teams in many areas so those of us who work days really appreciate the amazing teams who cover nights, weekends and bank holidays.
But my husband works in a industry where his holiday is two set weeks, two set weeks in August and then 10 personal days that really can only be taken between mid December and mid February every industry has it's restrictions.

I think it depends. I mean, a lot of people who live in the UK get time off over Christmas, regardless of their religion etc - due to bank holidays, school holidays, university break, shops and offices often closed. So even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, it’s still a time to spend with your family as most likely lots of people will have some time off work. Kids can’t decide to go into school on 25th December and refuse to attend over the Eid period.

You do know that not all Muslims are religious,right? I have a huge social circle in the Middle Eastern country I live in and not one of them observe the religious aspects of their culture.

Except he was notchoosing like everyone else, sharing time. He felt he was entitled to insist on what he wanted.

Ah ok interesting. I just read the rules about it and was quite surprised - for example it says that companies can decide you have to work at Christmas with only the number of days notice you'd be expected to work. Sad if people are ending up in that situation.

While I agree that public holidays are not generous, just for accuracy, it is Northern Ireland who get 10. Scotland only have 9!

I dont do xmas at all but i wont give up my holiday for anyone.

Maybe he wants to spend time with his family too? It's not his fault you may have to work.

He most likely used his annual leave for Eid. Praying in a mosque on Eid day is compulsory for men.

That isn't comparable to this and I'm sure you've booked your annual leave for when it suits you too.

Take it up with the company if you want things done differently.

We don't celebrate Christmas here but we still look forward to the time off as it's the one time almost everyone has off and can get together.

So do you not even get extra money or a day off in lieu for Bank Holidays then. That sounds shit, I think you need to get organised.

And if he gets the time off then I'd be booking Eid straight away to bargain with him.

This! This is what I was waiting for, I believe this is what the op was trying to get at.

People saying it's not the same if you aren't religious are talking shit. Midwinter celebrations have had massive cultural significance in the country long before the Christians came along and changed it to Christmas. You don't have to be religious to celebrate Christmas.

@Username638 Can I just confirm that he actually hasn't been granted the leave yet? You said you are waiting for your manager to put out a rota/request rota, but the way your posts are written, it sounds like he has already requested the leave and been granted it? I'm probably misinterpreting what's being said though! Is he just saying that he wants the holiday days and hoping to get them along with everyone else?