Annual leave at Christmas

[Miamarshmallows]

If you work/had a job, how much time did you take off at Christmas?
My friend posted on Facebook just now with 'Imagine having this Friday off until the 4th Jan, how funny is that?" and everyone responded with laughing emojis. I'm guessing because it's a rarity to have 2 weeks off for Christmas? Except it isn't. I know many colleagues spread their leave out but I always had 2 weeks off at Christmas. Just wondered if I was in the minority?! Obviously it's different for keyworkers etc.

We count as key workers but I’m off from 22nd until 4th. I’ve got lots of leave to use up, so might as well. I can only carry five days over.

I'm a key worker (hospital), this years great in that I am working christmas eve then off till NYD! a full week for just 3 days annual leave.
Have previously worked Christmas day / NYE etc, just the way the rota/shifts fall and nobody is amenable to swaps around this time of year.

I’ve taken 5 days off, other than the bank hols. This Friday and all next week. Working new year week.

Divorced though and have kids, so I have to spread out my leave to spend it with the kids, and not take off the time when they are with exh.

DH works in retail, no annual leave allowed at all in December or the first half of Jan. I work in health care, can have 1 week max, and only every few years.

I've got 29th to 31st December as leave. I work 3 days per week so off Fri 25th December to Tuesday 5th January.
I prefer 2 weeks but it all depends what day christmas falls.

My workmate breaks up on Friday until the 11th January. I'm off for the week between Christmas and New Year. My BIL has to work his normal days.

My BIL thought his colleagues should swap their days with him as he is the only one with a young child.

I'm "lucky" in that 9 times out of 10 I can take Christmas off work. In fact, I could probably decide tomorrow to book the time off with no problems.

I’m off from today until the 4th. It’s amazing. I’m already half cut 👍🏽

I'm a key worker.

My DM is also a keyworker and is off from the 22nd until the 31st.

We've been told we have to use all annual leave this year rather than carrying forward upto 5 days as usual. People started finishing last Friday since we've been given Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve free this year too.
Most people have 2 weeks every year +/- 2 days. I usually work between Christmas & New Year when my kids go to their dads.

I’m off for that exact period (one more day to go!)

I take 2 weeks every four months, pretty much like clockwork. NHS senior-ish back office.

I work in a university. Tomorrow is my last day till Jan 4th. All closure days, no annual leave.

This year is exceptional though, we have three extra closure days.

Loads of my colleagues and clients are off from Friday until 4th

Majority off from 23rd til the 4th

Our office is closing this year - don't usually, but generally people can take the between days off is they want to without much issue.

Pre kids dh and I often used to work - it was quiet and you got caught up. This year I really really need the break even though I suspect I'll be bored to tears.

I’ve finished today until the 4th. Our office shuts down over Xmas, but it’s an extended shut down this year, and I had two days left to use so tagged them on the beginning. I had to save annual leave to use for the shut down.

It’s nice to have the time off, but a bit frustrating to have save my annual leave up for this period and not just be able to use as I like. But this year it’s not bothered me, I’ve not been able to take much time off and I’m looking forward to an extended break.

I'm a key worker so off for 23/24 (boss is at work) and then I'm back at work while he's off. I've had the full 2 weeks off once in my career while 'at work' (while pregnant) and then last year to end my maternity leave before returning on the first day of the New Year. My Facebook is full of people counting down to Friday though.

I think it really depends on your industry, job, work culture and boss. Even one of those things in isolation can impact it.
I’m an office worker off from 21st-3rd but that’s mainly because my company (and wider industry) shuts down for Christmas and my boss is very relaxed.

But then I’ve worked in other office jobs where presenteeism is key and you’re only expected to have a week off at most (including the bank holidays), and really didn’t like you to take extra days off alongside from the bank holidays. Even though there’s not much going on!

My worst was I used to work in a team of 4 administrators who did admin support for a large team and our boss insisted one of us must be in the office every day between Xmas and new year just in case anyone needed anything. They never did! There were about 4 other people in because everyone either booked it off or worked from home, so I’d just sit and watch YouTube and organise my inbox.

I've (almost) always worked in offices and I've never had 2 weeks off at Christmas! I'm very jealous of anyone that does, I'll be working between Christmas and New Year as always 😭

I'm only off Christmas day because it's my turn this year🤣. Unfortunately the old people in care home need feeding Every day🤣🤗. Years ago when l worked in insurance our office closed Christmas Eve till after new year. Loved that. We had to take it in turns to go in one person from each department to open post. We would all take our kids in and office would provide a buffet and drinks for that day as a thank you.

When I worked I only took the time between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day off (3days annual leave) if we were visiting family (they are dead now). Otherwise I’d work between (as does h usually even since having kids). I think it’s a waste of days off when I’d rather use them for going on holidays not festering round the house in the shit weather.

This year tho h has had to take all of his AL that he hasn’t used because our holidays were cancelled. So he’s off from now till the 4th. We’re in tier 3. Weather is shit. 18 days in the house with 3 kids under 8. I might start a camera running now and it could be one of those found footage films 😂

We close for 2 weeks, no annual leave required, it’s additional paid leave. There are some perks to HE!

It must be nice to have the choice, it's nigh on impossible to get leave around Christmas where I work and as it's a 365 operation bank holidays aren't even a given

I finished work on the 10th December and I won’t be working again til the 7th Jan

My husbands last day is tomorrow until 4th of Jan.
I'm a key worker. I'll get days off in between but most importantly Xmas eve, day & boxing day

I’m only off Xmas day, but am off nye and day. Nhs nurse, would love an extended break!

I have never had the whole Xmas "break" off, but that's through choice - I have no kids and my partner works in hospitality, so he'll be working anyway and I'd rather save my holiday days.

We aren't allowed any AL over Christmas, so I am working as usual (NHS)