Is it really so bad to work on Christmas?

[Wenjie]

I work in the states at a full shop pharmacy like Boots or Superdrug. They're open on Christmas, so I was scheduled to work 9am to 6pm. My husband and oldest balked at this. I ended up nearly quitting because I felt so anxious at work over the whole thing, but my manager gave me Christmas off instead. I've had two days off and time to think since then, and I really think they overreacted. Is it really so bad to work on Christmas?

@rattlemehearties Yes, there's so much open here on Christmas, which is why I specified where I'm working. Otherwise it probably wouldn't make sense for it to be open. I worked on Thanksgiving and no one in my family minded. DH pointed at the tree and asked why I wrapped all the presents if I wasn't going to see the kids open them.

In my first year working for the NHS I was rostered 10 straight late - early’s, from the 19th to the 28th.
Working Christmas Day was alright but that was a truly shit roster!

Depends on whether you have the choice or not. Having to work over Christmas (and not wanting to) is not ideal.

But choosing to work when you have children and choosing to leave all the childcare to a partner - that's not really on.

I've known various men at work who would desperately try to work the days between Xmas and NY. It was pathetic.

@Wenjie Ah it's another veiled post where it's a DH problem not a seasonal problem.

I think if your DC are babies (too young to know which day it is) or old enough to understand that you have to work, it's fine.

There are a few years in the middle where they know it's Christmas Day and expect you to be there, and those are harder.

Your DH sounds like an idiot though! Why can't the DC wait until you're home to open your presents?

I used to work shifts as a care worker and always did christmas, often as the sleep-in worker on Christmas Eve and then the Christmas Day shift. I never minded and I was very fond of our residents so it always felt like a happy way to spend Xmas day. This was pre-children though, I'm sure it's much tougher when you have DC.

[quote Wenjie]@rattlemehearties Yes, there's so much open here on Christmas, which is why I specified where I'm working. Otherwise it probably wouldn't make sense for it to be open. I worked on Thanksgiving and no one in my family minded. DH pointed at the tree and asked why I wrapped all the presents if I wasn't going to see the kids open them.[/quote]
That's really mean of him, what does he expect you to do??? Presumably he benefits from having two household incomes the rest of the year, and I would bet money that he wouldn't be putting himself out to refuse to work shifts written into his contract if they didn't suit you. Yes, it sucks not being home with your family on Christmas Day but he can make it a whole lot less crap by making the best of it and working with you to plan how to make the celebration as special as possible for the DC when you finish work.

How old are the DC?

I wouldn't want to work it with young ones that are truly excited for Christmas. Mine will be approaching teenage years soon and I won't mind doing it again.

In my NHS job choice we get to put 3 choices of which day over all the bank holidays we want so there's some elements of choice and I usually choose new year as never celebrate then for various reasons. We do have a lot of staff who culturally don't celebrate Christmas too so that helps. I always found it a fun and cheerful day despite our work and the occasional tragedy.

Christmas is supposed to be a celebration not an albatros around your neck. If people have to work them Christmas needs to be flexible around that so they can still enjoy it.

This year my daughter's partner has to work Christmas morning and she was getting upset about missing family Christmas. So we moved it to Boxing Day. We'll have a nice cheeseboard and present opening when they arrive late on Christmas day and then full Christmas dinner the next day. 8 year old DS is happy to open some Santa presents on Christmas morning and save the rest until his sister gets here.

It so depends on circumstances, I used to work in hospitality pre DC and it was ok to work over xmas, I changed career once I had DD, I have a DB who is a police officer, in his 40's, single, no DC - he is quite happy to swap and work xmas day/boxing day with collegues with DC and have NYE off as thats a more adult focused occasion (piss up! [grin)

I don’t mind working Christmas Day but obviously would rather be with my children. We just do it a different day (they have two Christmas’s).

[quote rattlemehearties]@Wenjie Ah it's another veiled post where it's a DH problem not a seasonal problem.[/quote]
Shoot. Did I do that? I didn't mean to. I must still be upset. Back to it being just another seasonal post!

Interesting to read that nurses get the option of short shifts when other emergency services don't

Cops do - well our force does and I can’t imagine they’re unique. Three teams doing eight hour shifts, no overlap. It’s so they pay less double time than consideration for staff admittedly

Even in the UK not working on Christmas isn't that old. I remember going to the newspaper shop on Christmas morning. Lots of places were open then. Fewer now but still many even the local petrol station is open with its shop. For many working Christmas is no big deal especially if you don't have small children.

I usually take 2 weeks at xmas but this year decided against it due to a drama near xmas last year which I thought was perhaps partly my fault for taking xmas off when others couldnt in their roles (other reasons as well but it was part of it).

That was my mistake! My god I will never work xmas again!

Yesterday was completely insane. Shit stirring, mad drama, petty politics - the whole shabang. Never seen a day like it.

So yes I think it is that bad. Half the team have morphed into an evil scrooge and the other half are walking around on eggshells trying to keep a smile.

I'm volunteering Christmas Day and Boxing Day so probably the wrong person to ask. I do healthcare homeless clinics with Crisis alternate years. My NHS contract is weekdays daytime only bit I've always quite enjoyed working at Christmas.