Was I unreasonable to say no?

Read the thread. OP has done more than her share for the last five years.

@CopperWhite did you miss @Thefourth 's post where she pointed out she's done most/all of Christmases for the past 5 years????

WTF - OP has covered her own Christmas shifts and her colleagues' Christmas shifts for five years and you are calling her selfish??

People without children still have families that they want to spend time with at Christmas. OP has done her own share and her colleagues' share of the worst shifts for years, so it is their turn to do some.

This kind of work environment exists and thrives because of poor, ineffective management, IMO.

Your manager needs to get this situation in hand and reprimand your colleagues for their behaviour. This is bullying, full stop.

With these types of people, they never view your favour as something you are doing optionally to help them out. They view it as their entitlement. Hence, the tantrums now you've pulled the rug from under their feet and ripped the dummy from their mouths.

Take the leave and enjoy it. Their childcare issues are not yours to sort, and if having Christmas off is so precious to them-they shouldn't work a job where Christmas working is required. Too many parents think that they can pull the "oh, but ma kids!" card and get everything their way.

No. Everyone has family or people that they may want to see over the holidays. They are not anymore important than anyone else and their "need" does not trump your need.

Be careful that they may try and pull a co-ordinated flanker on the day, though where they all try and call in sick collectively. Be armed and ready with your excuses primed- and stick to your guns.

I couldn’t care less who does/doesn’t have child in the scenario as the majority of people have someone they’d like to spend the time with. Your colleagues are CF for not pulling their weight.

Book that holiday, have a wonderful festive break and don’t think twice about any one left working

She has done 5 years of all the worst shifts for these entitled CF's.

Why should she do more?

yanbu. Never ever do these horrible people a favour again. Take the time off. You are owed it. Complain to HR if you are getting grief. They are out of line. Stick to your plans.

You obviously didn’t read the opening post

You don’t owe these people anything, but it is pretty selfish to book off all of Christmas when you know that’s going to be awful for your colleagues. You should all be doing your share of the worst shifts.

Absolutely not! I’m a nurse, my children are 8 and 12- I do not expect colleagues without children to cover my Xmas shifts! We work every other, no exceptions.

Your ‘manager’ needs to manage these entitled people! Dick heads!

If having Christmas off is so important to them then find a job that accommodates that , a lot of places close down over Christmas.

Agreed. You have family, friends and responsibilities the same as anyone else. Don’t justify and don’t give in. If they persist then refresh yourself around the anti bullying policy.

I bet you were gagging for me to say “yes I am a “they” 😆 So you could launch in to your views. But nope…. Well and truly a woman!”

I’m a woman
My point stands with the word “they” as it doesn’t just apply to me!! (A woman 😆)

You're a they?

Oh and fact I don’t have horrible colleagues, a narcissist mother or ever been aware of school gate cliques… doesn’t mean they have a “perfect life”. Bizarre you’d think otherwise

I’m guessing that there’s a lot of stuff like this going on in your life for you to be quite so irritated by this 💐

Yes in your Perfect Life you have no stress and happily share this on MN to those who are asking for advice and support.
Why not say, "well, I'm OK Jack"?

“Perfect life” 😆

as opposed to just not encountering schoolgate cliques, have a narcissist relative or a CF neighbour!

How lovely for you, no need for MN for your Perfect Life.

Thats so unfair when you have worked other years. Bet your colleagues dont mention that though . You are as entitled to time off as much as they are, children or no children.

What a depressing view @PopeJoan2 , I genuinely have never encountered school gate cliques, a narcissistic mother (or anyone remotely close to me at all!) CF neighbours or awful colleagues.

Sorry to disappoint but there’s quite a few of us in life who read mumsnet threads about the above and honestly think…. WTAF

OP, how easy would it be for you to find a new job?
If easy then agree to cover ALL the days requested, find a new job and resign, with your last day being December 20th.

Nasty, yes. Satisfying, hell yes.

Merry Christmas.

I’d be tempted to say with a tinkly laugh that I hate Xmas and plan to laze around and do nothing and enjoy the telly - let them rage. Prats

honestly. This is ridiculous- if someone has very young children or babies it’s not about the kids it’s about them so - too bad. Deal.

if someone has older kids - explain that mum works shifts and you’ll celebrate next day or whatever.

if kids are in between and want mum but don’t fully realise - make it a different day and do Christmas Day before or after.

bloody ridiculous to bully a colleague- I’m raging on your behalf