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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that that employees with small dc huold have preference on having xmas eve off work?

332 replies

pippylongstockings · 30/10/2010 22:01

I work in an office with over 15 employees - 4 of us have young DC ranging from 11 to 2 years old - Surely at christmas it is not being unreasonable to think that the minority of 4 could have Christmas Eve off work?

BUT No, it is done on a random lottery - why ?

Honestly, I feel christmas is for the children and working til 4pm on xmas eve is not a happy place to be if you have kids at home waiting for you.

OP posts:
Original poster
pippylongstockings · 30/10/2010 22:01

sorry - should not huold - 3 glasses of wine....

OP posts:
CristinaTheAstonishing · 30/10/2010 22:02

In some jobs you're not even assured Xmas day off, so I don't think Xmas eve till 4pm is particularly bad.

cobbledtogether · 30/10/2010 22:04

YABU - Someone without children could still do with christmas eve off.

I used to spend xmas with my parents (3 hour drive) or my then boyfriend (2.5 hour drive) and always tried to get Christmas Eve off to drive there.

Now I have 2 small LOs I never get Christmas Eve off as I manage the office so usually cover everyone else!!

BitOfFunderthepatio · 30/10/2010 22:04

YABU, I think. People without children still have plans and a life.

nannynobnobs · 30/10/2010 22:05

4pm? I thought you meant like midnight or something.
Don't forget, people without children can have family plans too- some of them might be driving a long way to see relatives. I used to work every Christmas eve until 4 or 5 pm by choice because I got paid double time. My children didn't notice or care!

ENormaSnob · 30/10/2010 22:05

I have 3 dcs with ages ranging from 11 months to 10 years. I will probably be working christmas day.

Just because one of your colleagues doesn't have children it doesnt mean they don't have plans with their families.

yabu

Brollyflower · 30/10/2010 22:05

I think YABU. Lots of people have many reasons why they would want that day off. A lottery is the fairest method. I can see why you would be a bit sad and disappointed though Sad.

Ariesgirl · 30/10/2010 22:07

So the people who don't have young children should have to work every Christmas Eve to cover those of you who do, even though they may want to go to see family, friends, go out? Hmm When my mother was a nurse, and we were teenagers and later adults who came to see her at Christmas, she used to work every Christmas day to cover those who had young children. It meant we never saw our mum on Christmas Day and my dad never saw his wife.

It was your choice to have children. Not everyone in your office.

MaudOHara · 30/10/2010 22:07

YABU - if everyone wants the day off then lottery is the only fair way to do it.

mamalovesmojitos · 30/10/2010 22:07

YABU people with children are not more important than people without. four pm is not that late at all.

HerBeatitude · 30/10/2010 22:07

No sorry YABU.

Other people may have to travel to see their parents, nieces etc.

Christmas isn't just for children. It's for everyone.

booooooooooyhoo · 30/10/2010 22:07

yabu

you don't get your terms of employment altered because you have children. a random lottery is the best way to do it. everyone is there to do a job. if that job doesn't suit your home life then you need to look at alternatives. and 4pm is early to get out on xmas eve.

sheeplikessleep · 30/10/2010 22:08

Random lottery definitely fairest way of doing it. YABU.

reddaisy · 30/10/2010 22:08

YABU

onimolap · 30/10/2010 22:08

Some of the others might have elderly widowed parents who would otherwise be alone; siblings with cancer, siblings back from Afghanistan for a few days only - or any one of a myriad of good reasons (which might also include having been stuck with Christmas duties for the past 5 years and just wanting one off for a change).

It would be completely unreasonable to expect a boss to be able to decide between all these (as well as desperately over-intrusive to expect everyone to declare all their personal circumstances).

If there aren't enough volunteers, then a lottery strikes me as the best way.

HerBeatitude · 30/10/2010 22:08

I don't think a lottery is the fairest method.

I think people should take it in turns.

Simbacat · 30/10/2010 22:08

We always did Christmas or new year but not both. Split was pretty even. Generally knocked of pretty early with both as it was a quiet day.

TheBolter · 30/10/2010 22:10

Sorry, YABU. Although I do sympathise.

trixymalixy · 30/10/2010 22:10

YABU.

piscesmoon · 30/10/2010 22:11

There seems to be agreement for once-very unusual! YABU- other people have lives too!!

Panzee · 30/10/2010 22:11

I wish we'd had a lottery at one place I used to work at. Every bloody Christmas I had to work because the parents got priority. :(

Bairyheaver · 30/10/2010 22:11

Of course you are being unreasonable!

Dansmommy · 30/10/2010 22:11

My DH will probably have to work until 10pm Christmas eve.(Getting home at around 11) SadIf he does, he'll miss the kids going to bed, and the mince pie bit and everything.

His solution is to wait and see the rota, and then try to swap with someone who is 'young free and single' for New Year's Eve! As long as he's home by midnight that night, and we have wine and chocolate we're happy. It worked last year, so fingers crossed!

Could you do a similar swap if you end up getting lumbered?

HeadlessPrinceBilly · 30/10/2010 22:11

YABVU.

SixtyFootGhooool · 30/10/2010 22:11

Everyone should have the chance to be off.
I am Envy at you finishing work at 4pm on Xmas eve, I have to work 7am to 7pm xmas day