If You're off for Christmas

[Foxes157]

Not to brag. Essential services are working.

Non Essentials like retail, events and hospitality are working.
We get it you have 2 weeks off. Please have some respect.

I have ten days off, I work in essential services, I don't remember the last time I had a whole week off at Christmas, I'm really fucking happy about it because I spent last Christmas in neonatal care and this year my baby is running around like s little Christmas lunatic. I used my annual leave, what do you want me to do lie?

Sorry nothing will make me feel guilty for having
My 2 weeks off - I've had a really hard and busy year in work and personal life and i fully intend to enjoy my break thanks

What a weird thread! That's like complaining about teachers bragging they have six weeks off over Summer!

Due to the nature of my job, I have to work extensively in the Summer and my son is in a lot of childcare. I certainly don't begrudge others that have a better deal in the Summer.

Christmas is the only period for me get a decent run of quality time at home with my son. 17 days off this year, due to me saving leave and planning carefully.

😂 dfod

I do feel for the OP a bit. I think it must be annoying when everyone assumes it’s “the holidays” without sparing a though for those who have to work.

I have an ordinary traditional style job where you just book your leave whenever you want it, and have personal chosen to be off much of the Christmas period but not 23rdnor 27th. However that’s my choice:

I’ve never worked over Christmas. I start my new job in the second week of January so I’m enjoying being off!

DH is military and has always had 2 weeks off over the festive season. He finished at 11am today.

Get a different job then if it's upsetting you that much

I do hope santa brings me new slippers, because these one's are a bit past their best. I think the amount of wearing of them I'm planning over the next few weeks will be the end of them.

I'm having my first Christmas with my husband for seven years - I was caring full time for my Dad until he passed away in April. I'm sorry if it upsets anyone, but DH is off work for 2 weeks, and we're going to enjoy every moment. Many thanks to those who are working over the holidays, but please don't begrudge me my happiness that I'm not!

Well. I've got THREE WEEKS off
I work in a school
I'm a TA and it's unpaid
So !!!!!!

Yabu.

I’m not fussed that I don’t have two weeks off. I like having a bit of a break from my family. Before I took a job in retail, I told the manager that I had plans for Christmas, dates and hotel booked and she still brought me on while another person who knew (it was in her contract!) she would have to work ended up quitting weeks before because her parents wanted her to spend Christmas Eve or Boxing Day with them instead of doing what she signed up for leaving us short-handed. Think it was only a four hour shift.

I recall at my last job another person complaining to me about working Christmas (again in her contract) and being upset that I didn’t give her enough empathy (actually reported me to her team lead for it). She had mentioned this before in February, but it was bloody October, and she had worked from home.

Understandable if it’s a month before or last minute, but if you knew before you signed on the dotted line you are needed to, why make a big deal of it?

The OP has a valid point in part I think.

There are some people (and some threads have mentioned them) who expect two weeks off even when their place of work is open for some of the time, and expect others to work (one of the claims is that those who have no children can work then instead of them).

Those who expect shops and other services to always be open at all hours but would never work outside a Monday to Friday 9-5 job themselves (a while back we had someone who felt it unreasonable that they could not buy socks on a Sunday evening, for example).

At the very least those with time off the whole of the festive season can be polite to those in retail and other people working. The other thing I hope they would support is shops being on reduced hours or closed on Boxing Day.

I think everyone is grateful to those who have/choose to work. But those who aren't working shouldn't be made to feel that they can't mention it.

I get you 100%. This is my first Christmas off in years because it's the last week of my maternity leave. Before I worked in hospitality so worked Boxing night and NYE night every single year. The weeks running up to Christmas were punishing. It was awful. It's nice when people don't brag about it because it's so miserable working when everyone else (in my case) is drunk and having a fantastic time. Meanwhile I'm covered in their sweat, cleaning up their vomit and getting groped when picking up the bottles and glasses they've dropped on the floor on purpose.

Thank god I've left that job now

Nurse, work in acute sector on a Children’s ward. I think people who get 2 weeks off are sooooo bloody lucky and I hope they have a wonderful break. But they are also using holidays they won’t get another time in the year.

I chose this job, I knew I’d potentially work special occasions and Christmas and miss stuff due to shifts i also don’t grudge anyone else’s holidays or family time. It’s precious and the more we worry about our own families and less about what everyone else is doing the better

I work in Education.
Partner retired after 40 years ( with many, many Christmases at work except for Bank Holidays.)
DC 1 forced to take time off else loses Annual Leave.
DC2 at home from uni ...

So I’m really, really sorry. Perhaps we ought to give up this time and find a fortnight’s seasonal work to make you happier. ( Extra money will go towards expensive holiday in term time.)

I forgot to add we work one shift Christmas OR new year (more if we wish) due to large amount of staff and last year I had a weeks annual leave Christmas week it was fab. So it’s not all horrendous just depends on your ward/manager (ex is police and he just got Christmas Eve night off)

The days we are in are fun and we make it lovely for our patients and their family’s despite having to stay in, we let as many go home or go on pass as we can and just really try and enjoy ourselves too and get away early if we can

I'm a nurse and fortunate enough this year to be in a job that allows us to take 2 weeks off over Christmas. I'm looking forward to being home for the whole festive period for once as for the past few years have done Xmas eve nightshift. I am by no means bragging, I have many lovely friends and family members who are working and I know I am lucky. People are allowed to be happy and look forward to family time.

I don't actually work bar some very part time journalism so I bet you really hate me. Comparison is the thief of all joy. Merry Christmas!

Sod off, I work extremely long hours , I'm going to be enjoying my holiday and I don't care if people are sarky about it.
I never see anything in being negative at other people's fortune

Respect??? Brag??? Not sure if your language at all. It is not "disrespectful" to mention/celebrate/be excited about my long awaited holidays! Nor is it bragging .
Get a grip

@GetawayfromthatWelshtart

@MistyCloud Thank you, you lovely lass, Mum loved a bit sherry. :D

Awww, I love a sherry too - now and again.

Today I shall be mostly eating my body weight in cheeses and watching Elf. Huzzah!!!! Is it too early for a Snowball? Asking for a friend.....

NEVER too early for a Snowball!

Cheers.....

I have next two weeks off and I am very happy about it and I dont think I should be feeling lucky about it. Doesn't mean I dont feel for people who don't have it though.

I used to work in retail, hated the hours and the fact I never got any of the holiday I wanted so I actively looked for a Monday to Friday 9 to 5 job. Took a massive pay cut when I first joined as I had no experience. This was for the gain of better hours and eventually far better pay and decent holidays. Best thing I ever did.

Do you know what, this attitude can fuck off.

I get that many, many people don't get time off over Christmas, or even Christmas Day itself.

But.

I'm self employed, and the company I mainly work for is shutting down for two weeks, therefore so am I, because there's no work for me to do.

It's not all good, as I literally do not get paid for time off or holidays.

The two weeks I always get at Christmas are IT for the year. I do not get time off in the summer. I don't even always get weekends. Sometimes I can work three weeks straight without a break. Being self employed is hard. To some extent you have to sing to your clients' tune, as you can't afford to lose business.

So you know what? Yes I'm happy that I'm off for two weeks over Christmas.

I'm not rubbing it in people's faces saying things like "Ha ha, I'm off and YOU'RE NOT!!!!!!!" but if it comes up, it comes up.

Just make the best of YOUR OWN situation. Don't look to others. And if there are people bragging then yeah, stop it. But that goes for everything, not just time off over Christmas.

I work in education and am now off for 2 weeks. I get paid for term times and 4 weeks holiday, the rest is unpaid and my holiday dates are therefore also dictated to me. No term time leave for cheaper holidays, difficult to get time off to see my DCs in school plays/assemblies. There are lots of perks to my job and also a fair few irritations. As with all jobs I would imagine.

I wouldn't rub someone's nose in my annual leave but equally I won't be pretending I'm not off either. I am certainly grateful that there are people working over Christmas, in healthcare and other professions. I do hope they also manage a special time with family and friends.