Was I unreasonable to say no?

[Thefourth]

Christmas allocation was sent out last week. We have to have it so early because we need to plan the out reach around it. For first time in 5 years I have Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day & NYD off. Im Working nye. We’re going to go away. We dont have children but that’s because I’m infertile it’s not because we don’t want them.

Usually I pick up extra but this year I thought fuck it, no I want to have it all off. So I requested it off and in the comments I pointed out I have covered their Christmas shifts & done my own for 5 years.

I have been massively guilty of tripped by 3 colleagues who have said I must pick up their Christmas shifts because they have children and I don’t. One of them said that I was deceitful by not telling them I wanted it all off because as she assumed I would cover it all she hadn’t asked for any of it off.

Another one has gone to our manager and demanded that he make me work it and give them my days off. He asked me to consider taking some of their shifts and I said if he asks me again I will quit.

For the last 5 years I have had off the 29th-30th December and then take my ‘Christmas leave’ in January.

Their children are 11,5,9,15,18 & 21 respectively if it changes anyone’s opinion.

the atmosphere is awful

She has done 5 years of all the worst shifts for these entitled CF's.

Why should she do more?

I couldn’t care less who does/doesn’t have child in the scenario as the majority of people have someone they’d like to spend the time with. Your colleagues are CF for not pulling their weight.

Book that holiday, have a wonderful festive break and don’t think twice about any one left working

This kind of work environment exists and thrives because of poor, ineffective management, IMO.

Your manager needs to get this situation in hand and reprimand your colleagues for their behaviour. This is bullying, full stop.

With these types of people, they never view your favour as something you are doing optionally to help them out. They view it as their entitlement. Hence, the tantrums now you've pulled the rug from under their feet and ripped the dummy from their mouths.

Take the leave and enjoy it. Their childcare issues are not yours to sort, and if having Christmas off is so precious to them-they shouldn't work a job where Christmas working is required. Too many parents think that they can pull the "oh, but ma kids!" card and get everything their way.

No. Everyone has family or people that they may want to see over the holidays. They are not anymore important than anyone else and their "need" does not trump your need.

Be careful that they may try and pull a co-ordinated flanker on the day, though where they all try and call in sick collectively. Be armed and ready with your excuses primed- and stick to your guns.

WTF - OP has covered her own Christmas shifts and her colleagues' Christmas shifts for five years and you are calling her selfish??

People without children still have families that they want to spend time with at Christmas. OP has done her own share and her colleagues' share of the worst shifts for years, so it is their turn to do some.

@CopperWhite did you miss @Thefourth 's post where she pointed out she's done most/all of Christmases for the past 5 years????

Read the thread. OP has done more than her share for the last five years.