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AIBU?

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Original poster

If You're off for Christmas

328 replies

Foxes157 · 19/12/2019 23:33

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.

OP posts:
Pinkblueberry · 20/12/2019 09:05

I used to work in retail and worked late on Xmas eve and then on a mad Boxing Day. I still didnt begrudge other people’s excitement about being off for Xmas - it’s hardly bragging, no one’s going ‘haha, I’m off and you need to work...’ what a nonsense, virtue signalling post.

PrettyPurpleFeather · 20/12/2019 09:05

In my old job I worked every Christmas holiday because my lovely boss decided that as I didn't celebrate Christmas I could cover everybody else's holiday. She did not ask me if I wanted some time off to rest or see my mum or get over d&v. She said 'you don't celebrate Christmas so you're on holiday cover. End of discussion.'

She did not respect me. So dfod you don't speak for everyone.

CharlottesPleb · 20/12/2019 09:05

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the many people who will lose their Christmas and New Year to look after the rest of us or keep the economy going and perhaps do not really want to. I know you get paid for it, but it can still be a PITA I know, in some cases one you are stuck woth unexpectedly.

I would hate to think any dislike or the odd envious tone of the OP were taken as people failing to realise that there will be people away from their families and friends at this special time, just to keep everything ticking over.

Merry Christmas and thank you to you all, including the OP (even if I don't like the turn of phrase)

wondering7777 · 20/12/2019 09:06

I purposefully chose a job where I’d never have to work over Christmas, because it’s a such a hugely important time for me. I appreciate that others may not have that choice, so I feel very lucky that I did.

ODFOkaren · 20/12/2019 09:06

I’m just fed up with the cries of “you are working Christmas Day? Do they not know you have children? I wouldn’t fo in they are taking the piss”

I work in care. It’s 24/7. They randomise the rota at Xmas so it’s fair. I got the short straw. Or we could just leave the residents to starve for three days.

ODFOkaren · 20/12/2019 09:08

And obviously, we aren’t allowed to boom any holiday from 18th dec - 2nd Jan.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 20/12/2019 09:08

I have finished work until the 2nd. It's the industry I work in, we close at this time of year because it's so quiet so we have to use some of our annual leave for it.

I have previously worked in hospitality and retail, I've worked quite a few Christmases and New Years. I know how hard you all work.

But I am allowed to enjoy the fact that I get to spend the holidays off with DS and I am not going to apologise or feel guilty for it.

pelirocco123 · 20/12/2019 09:09

47SeamstressfromTreacleMineRoad

Sadly OP, this thread illuminates the reason for the result of the recent election perfectly sad
Thank you for working at Christmas - it's appreciated.

You really need to stop and rethink what would happen if everyone who worked in the emergency services etc had the whole of Christmas off?

Greyhound22 · 20/12/2019 09:12

Crikey heard it all now.

I finish today - not back till 6th. I've actually been off ages - had a hysterectomy a few weeks ago after 18 months of terrible health so I couldn't care less who knows about me having a decent Christmas break.

I've done my time working nights and Christmas Eve and Boxing Day - even Christmas Day a couple of times.

Very grateful to emergency services etc but really.

itgetshardereveryday · 20/12/2019 09:14

Oh ffs.

Presumably when you took this job you knew you'd have to work holidays?

Junie70 · 20/12/2019 09:19

I'm off for 10 whole days and I'm shouting from the rooftops. We run our own business and had one week of leave this year due to staffing issues. We've been manically busy for the last 8 weeks, most of which have been 6 or 7 day weeks and I'm so tired I could go to bed for a week and stop there.

I used to work in care and really enjoyed working over Christmas to be honest, families used to keep the staff room well supplied with sugar and hot drinks, and the atmosphere was lovely. Spending an hour with someone on Christmas Day when you were likely to be their only visitor that day was very humbling and I was always really grateful for the family I had to go home to.

Zenithbear · 20/12/2019 09:24

Breaking up today for best part of two weeks. I worked full time and over Christmas for 20 years.
People envy that I've got a long holiday, I envy retired folk who don't have to go back at all.

Lovemusic33 · 20/12/2019 09:27

I know a few people who have 2 weeks off (not many), I work in mental health care and I have Christmas Day and Boxing Day off, I’m not too bothered as Christmas is just one day, I would rather use holiday in the summer. It doesn’t bother me that there are people having 2 weeks off.

adaline · 20/12/2019 09:28

Some people are a bit bitter, aren't they?!

I'm off Christmas Eve for the first time in five years, but I'm back in work 8.30am Boxing Day for the Christmas sale. DP finishes today and doesn't go back until January 6th.

But I had ten days off in October when he worked every day. Swings and roundabouts, isn't it? At least I get double time for working over the Festive period!

GetOffTheTableMabel · 20/12/2019 09:31

I can’t imagine how emotionally draining it must be to go through life feeling disrespected because other people are expressing enthusiasm about their lives.

LeahDownTheLane · 20/12/2019 09:34

I finish today and back on the 6th. Not bragging, I’m self employed and work seven days a week. I’ve not had a single day off since Easter, not a weekend, not a sick day, nothing. I desperately need a break and some human company. Yes it’s lovely to have a long time off but obviously nobody’s paying me.

Pinkblueberry · 20/12/2019 09:36

Sadly OP, this thread illuminates the reason for the result of the recent election perfectly
Thank you for working at Christmas - it's appreciated.

What nonsense. No one here is being unappreciative. But being appreciative doesn’t mean having to dim your own joy at being on holiday. I have a few family members who work over Xmas - of course they would prefer not too, but that doesn’t mean they begrudge everyone else their holiday and spend the day bitter about everyone else’s day off, expecting everyone else to put on a sad face for them. That’s just completely childish. Pointing that out doesn’t make anyone ungrateful.

ladyvimes · 20/12/2019 09:37

I’m off now and I bloody deserve it! I am completely knackered and an absolute mess. Physically and mentally drained. If I didn’t have these two weeks off I would quit as there’s no way I could do my job without them! YABU! If you want lots of holiday then become a teacher. We’re desperate for staff cause so many leave because it’s bloody difficult!

Justonemoremojito · 20/12/2019 09:39

My husbands not even in the same country as us this Christmas, at least you get to see your family at some point over the festive period l..... me I'm off as I'm a sahm

nononever · 20/12/2019 09:43

What a bizarre post Hmm. As others have said, you chose your career so knew what it involved.

Cherrysoup · 20/12/2019 09:47

What the hell, man? Why on earth shouldn’t we talk about having time off? How ridiculous.

CakeAndGin · 20/12/2019 09:49

This is my last working day until the 2nd. I’m using 5 days of my annual leave, which is barely above statutory. I booked those 5 days in May this year and as such knew I didn’t have those 5 days to use over the summer. Actually, I didn’t take any time off during the summer. Neither me nor my husband are in essential services yet we took no time off during summer. My husband was working late, because it’s his job and a busy time, for summer. I was then working weekends over the summer (I’m a Monday-Friday worker). So while you were probably enjoying the summer with your family, I was working. I wasn’t bitter about everyone going on summer holidays or spending time in their garden while I was working.

As we worked over the summer, we both built up many days in lieu. So now if we don’t take nearly two weeks off, we won’t use all our leave entitlement before the new leave year in April. I have 9.5 half days left and my husband has 12. We’re going to struggle to get those days before April.

I get that it’s shit to work Christmas but there’s always someone doing something nice when you have to work. I’m not going to feel bad for taking my time off, that is out of my leave entitlement. I appreciate the people who will be working over Christmas and New Year (I’m in an industry that doesn’t shut down, even if I’m not essential staff). Those staff in our organisation who are on standby and will be called out on Christmas Day are compensated accordingly.

showmewhatyougot · 20/12/2019 09:53

Humbug! Crown Biscuit

ChristmasCroissant · 20/12/2019 09:54

OP, I get the impression that you are disappointed to leave your DD and go to work over the Christmas period - I can understand that, and I sympathise. I have a relative that used to work part of Christmas Day and over the festive period generally and sometimes you do have to retime or juggle things around to fit.

LagunaBubbles · 20/12/2019 09:56

Please have some respect

Eh? So just because some people have to work Christmas everyone else has to pretend their not happy because they aren't working? What a really strange way to look at it! Your post reeks of bitterness and resentment though which isn't healthy.
I'm a Psychiatric Nurse who worked in the wards for years. Now Im in the community and can take time off. I'm using annual leave and stop today until 6th January, can't wait. DH unfortunately working 8 till 8 both CD and BD. So we're having our meal on Christmas Eve.