Lecturers, do you work over the Christmas break?

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I need to ask a previous lecturer (I'm a graduate) for a reference, it is due in at the beginning of January just before the new term starts. I completely forgot how early universities break up for Christmas and just realised that it's the last week of term for my lecturer this week.

Do lecturers tend to work over the Christmas break? I know there is a week between Christmas Day and New Years that the university is closed, so obviously they wouldn't work then but do they work outside of those dates (i.e. from now until Christmas Eve?) or do they stop working on the last day of term (Friday! Ah)

I don't want to be cheeky and submit a reference request with only 2 days to do it before the end of term, but if they work longer into December I think a month's notice is ok? I don't know. Sorry. It was unexpected that I would need this reference.

Is this a research intensive university? In that case academic staff will be working throughout the year - the end of teaching is an opportunity to catch up on research.

Also, the end of term doesn't mean that teaching work is ended - marking assessments, preparing materials and assessments for the next term, university committees, curriculum revalidation and development.

Most lecturers, tutors, DoSs, will do references for students regardless of whether it's term time or not. Do give them as much notice as you can - we cannot process your application until all references are in (at least at my Uni). Also, please get references from someone who actually knows you. So many students are let down by paint by numbers references - DoS references are often particularly lacklustre.

Thank you, that is really helpful to know they will still be working beyond the end of term.

The reference is due on 5th January so just under a month - do you think that is an appropriate length of time given a portion of that month will be the Christmas period where the university is closed?

All my references know me quite well luckily (dissertation supervisors and seminar leaders).

I work about two weeks after the end of the teaching term, take some time off (between a week/10 days) then start again.

Just get the request in, give them your CV or information they need, the date and then they can do it when they like in the next few weeks. Prompt two weeks before it is due if they haven't done it.

Do lecturers tend to work over the Christmas break?

Yes! I will take 3 days' break over Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, but otherwise, I have a book manuscript to deliver by late January. I also have a PhD to examine, and some book manuscripts to review for publishers.

But I won't be answering student emails.

Do you think it's ok to send a reference request today that has a deadline of 4th January or is that too short notice? Should I follow it up with an email apologising for the late notice or just hope it's ok?

Sorry for all the questions, I get so anxious asking favours from others particularly lecturers as I know they are so busy.

Yes, send it immediately! Apologise for the short notice.

Working days for lecturers are not the same as term dates. Officially, we work up to the 23rd, but most people in my department will finish on the 18th. We will not return until the 4th, so you need to give as much time before Christmas as possible.

I will have at least a week off (pt teaching only contract) and will finish on the 22nd when my final lot of assignments are due in.
As pp said just ask & be apologetic about the late notice

It has been a spectacularly difficult year in HE so most colleagues are desperate for meaningfull time off, which means not checking email. How many will achieve it is another matter (due to marking and research pressures - which is not acceptable). My institution is closed 18th -5th. Bear in mind that Universities have different rules about accessing student data so your referee may not be able to access the information required for your application until support staff continue. I suspect there is some leeway with the references deadline, given the current circumstances. Best of luck with the application.

If one of my students emailed me next week for a reference I would be able to do it. I am however not responding to a single student email from the 18th-4th unless there is an emergency and I am the only person who can fix it. Some of us haven’t been able to take any real time since pretty much last Christmas and we are broken.

Same here, no emails from me to UG and PG students between 18/12 and 5/1. My PhD students and postdoc have my mobile number for emergencies, though (although I have stressed to them to take the full time off too if they feel they can, as they have the same number of annual leave days as permanents staff and many supervisors seem to forget that). So to the OP, I hope you have sent your reference request already, and I am sure your referee should be happy to do it, except probably not after their university closes for the holidays.