To think NHS workers aren’t ‘hero’s’ for working Christmas Day?!

[Reindeerlighthouse]

Just that. I have quite a few Nurses on my friend’s lists on social media and a few of them have posted today about how they’ve been working. Que loads of ‘omg, you’re an absolute angel’ ‘omg, you’re a true hero lovely’ type comments on all of their posts.

Am I being dim? They’ve been rostered on, they’re just doing their jobs on a day they’ve been rota’d onto, why are they ‘hero’s’ for that? It’s literally their job. I’m not saying their job doesn’t deserve credit because it absolutely does, but I’m sure if they’d have refused to work Christmas Day they’d have been facing disciplinary action?

My husband has worked the last 5 Christmas days (not medical related) no one has ever said he’s a hero for working it.

AIBU to think ti really doesn’t make them a hero? Just people doing their jobs on a day they’ve been told to do it?

I was in hospital for almost 4 months this time last year. Nurses are hero's, EVERYDAY!! Someone of the patients they have to deal with are awful to them! One patient was eating grapes and spitting the skin out, guess who had to clean it up. Another was always using their call bell, another was always shouting for them! Yes it's their job but they should not have to put with this! They work long hours, constantly on their feet and always smiling. They deserve to be acknowledged!

Is the hardworking nurse in a job he or she voluntarily took on with the knowledge he or she would be working long hours on christmas day sometimes a pre requisite.

Is it OPs fault hardworking nurse is working christmas day while she isn't

You can acknowledge someone is hard working without making a false idol of them.

I agree completely.

It just is too much like that silly COVID clap that ended up being less about appreciation and more about a pissing contest of who could virtue signal the loudest about the NHS. If people think they’re ‘Christmas angels’ then don’t fawn about it on a forum do something that makes a difference so their working lives are easier. Sign petitions, lobby people, use the NHS wisely.

Yes OP marketing staff should self flaggelate at Christmas

I agree op. Speaking as a retail worker I hated all the "key worker" bollocks during lockdown. I was only working because I had to, if I could have got out of it I would have.
I remember seeing the Morrison's workers with their "I'm a key worker" hoodies. I would have died of embarrassment if I'd been told to wear one.
NHS workers do a marvelous job all the time as do millions of other essential workers I don't think they need special thanks just decent conditions and a fair wage.

Sorry but if you think any NHS workers are unacknowledged then you've missed the whole point

I have to say I do agree OP.

I have massive appreciation and admiration for those who work such difficult jobs on Christmas day, but calling them heroes is a bit much.

You go into the job knowing that's what it involves.

My lovely late mum was a nurse for 40+ years, worked many Christmas days, including when we were very young kids, and would have cringed massively at being labeled a hero.

I do the rosters for my team - as a manager, I don't have to work Christmas. But I did because someone has to and it meant someone else could have it off. Therefore no one told me I have to work it..... so am I a hero? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Nurses, doctors and all NHS workers are heroes to me

What about the ones who do harm? Are they heroes?

I think they're pretty heroic for all sorts of reasons. Working Christmas Day being one of them.
We've just celebrated our third Christmas Day in a row without my nephew's wife. Whilst we ate and made merry she was up at the hospital making her patients' day just a little bit less shit.

I work in marketing so not at all a ‘worthy’ cause

Maybe if you did something that didn't actively make the world a worse place, you wouldn't feel the need to drag everyone else down. Maybe volunteer, or raise some money.

Firefighters aren’t heroes for running into burning buildings as it’s the job they signed up to do. Same as police and wrestling knife wielding maniacs, and soldiers in war zones. They knew what the job entailed and they’re just doing their job on a day they’ve been told to do it.

Most people would far rather be off on Xmas day, regardless of what their work is. So fairplay to them I say.

And here comes the private sector ragging...

Let's all work in meaningful public sector jobs...until we realise private sector tax payers are quite important....

NHS staff are frequently abused physically and verbally, constantly disrespected at their places of work and complained about by the very people they try to help. Not sure what reality you're living in. Possibly one with no experience of being a frontline worker?

People still have heart attacks on Christmas day. They still go into labour and break bones. No guns to heads, but the fact you think that people shouldn't show appreciation (or worship as you call it) for those who give up precious family time to staff hospitals on Christmas day says a lot more about you than anyone else.

You are full of charity and love aren't you op? Are you having a bad day? Damn those angels and heroes. WHAT ABOUT ME!

All but one group you mention are heroes imo! Especially at Xmas. The one group I've discluded are a menace every day of the week.

That aside, I'm with the OP. The government's drive to paint NHS workers as heroes is why they're rewarded with applause and platitudes. Tis a good thing applause and platitudes can be exchanged for goods and services.

Nonsense, lots of people have to work, doesn't make us heros, it's called a job.

Nowhere did I say I don't appreciate NHS workers, of course I do, anyone with a brain does.

But what I won't do is hero worship someone for doing a job they voluntarily went into.

I do volunteer thanks, 8 hours every week, but thanks for the judgement.

Odd sweeping generalisation

Even the NHS has marketing teams

Making a false idol? Are we making pilgrimage to NHS staff now? Are we lining their pockets with gold? Calling someone a hero is a turn of phrase to show appreciation, nothing more. Why on earth would it upset any emotionally stable person?

Bloody stonking one I'd say given how we can't debate the fact it is staffed with LITERAL ANGELS

Are we making pilgrimage to NHS staff now?

That lockdown clap nonsense came hysterically close.

Hero's what?