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

[pippylongstockings]

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.

Children are a privilege not a right.
Same goes for having Christmas (or any secular holiday).
So if you have DC it is not your god (insert deity of choice here) given right to have the day off.

And yes I cannot believe this is still going on.

YABU - people without children also celebrate christmas and have places to get to. Being a parent does not given you an entitlement to time off over and above anyone else.

nappyaddict - what possessed you to revive this after 2 whole days?

YAB completely U. Much fairer than the parents getting first dibs on the good days off every year, like happens in my office. Irritates every childless person year after year.

Oh and to add, its our baby's first Christmas this year. I will be working 8-6 on Xmas Eve and my DH will be working every single day of the Christmas break.

Completely unreasonable. People without children are just as entitled to time off.

I've worked for a company who gave senior staff priority over holidays, and watched a poor 19 year old not be able to get home to her family (yes, amazingly she is part of a family - imagine!) because all the seniour staff had nabbed Christmas Eve. I actually came in and worked it as a junior admin for the day, since my family was nearby and it meant such a lot to her. It shamed them into changing their policy.

I can just imagine your ideal office: Parents get first dibs on summer holidays, Christmas, New Years, Easter, extended bank holiday weekends, coming in late, leaving early etc etc.

Who would they stay in a company where they are so radically discriminated against? And who would do the work outwith mummy-hours/in school holidays?

Nope - lottery or taking turns is fair. Our office has a rule that you either get before Christmas or before New Years off but not both - makes it a little fairer even if you don't get your first choice of holiday.

OMG - I am amazed to see this thread still running

I feel I have probably worded the 1st whole OP in a largely inflammatory style - and I hope that others who have actually read my post and reply realise that I meant that I find the whole lottery system part which is most unfair and particular reference to my office/profession.

I am not in anyway saying that all mothers, all of the time, should have preference over every one else. I realise that there are careers that require 365/24/7 days cover. My job is not one of those.

Previously, we used to close at 12pm then 1pm then 3pm - it does really irk me that reail positions are like this for everyone involved - it infringes on peoples family time especially over the christmas period - and I know, I know, I know, that I am moaning about a job that does NOT require xmas day/boxing day etc working.

No, we cant book annual leave over xmas - it is down to the lottery.

Your right I am probably BU but I do have a desire to spend time with my kids at christmas so shoot me!!!!!