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Original poster

Calling in sick on Christmas Day?

41 replies

Pumpertrumper · 20/12/2020 10:56

Sorry if this topic has already been broached, I’ve not seen anything.

Is it just me or is anyone else wondering, given the new covid restrictions, how many of those scheduled to work Christmas Day will now be calling in sick/ditching their shifts?

Surely only being allowed one day to mix is going to sting even more if you were scheduled to be working 7-7! I worry less about emergency service/key workers but if I were due to work a minimum wage non key role I think even id be tempted to call in sick now, and I’m really not the type!

OP posts:

Original poster

Pumpertrumper · 20/12/2020 11:59

To clarify I’m not really talking about people with ‘careers’ or people dependent on them (like carers). I’m talking about all the young people scheduled to work hospitality/service/retail/warehouse/night shifts in offices...etc. You’d think these would all close but many aren’t.

I personally know several families with young adult kids (17-24) who were scheduled to work Christmas Day in crappy minimum wage rolls who have now been told by parents to sack it off as they’re expected to be part of family Christmas Day (most not seen loved ones since March).

In fairness these are most quite middle class families so kids not exactly reliant on this income (working pt around studying) and outlook is basically ‘it’s not worth the £50 you’ll make that day so if they insist on staying open let the manager/supervisors who earn twice your wage work the shift rather than shunting it off onto you.’

OP posts:

YerAWizardHarry · 20/12/2020 12:02

I no longer work in hospitality but I know my most recent employer is open until 6pm (we are tier 3) although I'm sure they will have cancellations now as they can't serve alcohol. I absolutely think people would consider pulling a sickie

Original poster

Pumpertrumper · 20/12/2020 12:02

In fairness most of these ^ are saying tell them now you won’t be working Christmas Day not saying call in sick, but it did get me thinking. In the same situation I think I would.

All good saying ‘just swap to another day’ but I’d rather be morally dubious than break the rules and risk a big fine!

OP posts:

vodkaredbullgirl · 20/12/2020 12:05

Im not that selfish, unless I was really ill. I working a night shift and that would put it down to 2 carers (normally 3). It dam hard when there is only 2 of you, been there and its not good.

daisypond · 20/12/2020 12:06

No. I’m working Christmas Day. No way would I “pull a sickie” on that day. It would mean someone else would have to be called in to do that day instead at late notice.

PrivateIndoorXmas · 20/12/2020 12:08

Ahh ok op, that is different. Of course people who don't need the job will do that if working in a non-essential role. I once had a part time retail job (in addition to main job) just to give me a little extra money put away as I was planning another baby. Was just a few hours a week but offered a decent rate of pay. I was told I had to work late in a months time to stocktake, I told them weeks in advance I couldn't as it was older DCs birthday and I was already missing most of the day with them. They insisted I had to so I resigned. It is liberating being able to do that when you aren't reliant on the income. Sadly most won't be in that boat.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 20/12/2020 12:15

It’s an office? Curious to know if it can be closed

How else do you think on-line orders are processed before picking and dispatch.

Toddlerteaplease · 20/12/2020 13:08

@AcornAutumn they are being difficult. Working a 12,5 hour shift on Christmas Day is a perfectly justifiable reason to move it by one day. No one will even know as it's only me and them.

hettyhooverdoover · 20/12/2020 19:57

Health care workers aren't going to just not turn up to look after those they care for, I know I couldn't.

Parker231 · 20/12/2020 20:02

If you pulled a sickie and were caught, you could be dismissed. Just have Christmas Day on a different day. We’ve done that when DH has had to work.

MaelyssQ · 20/12/2020 20:20

I'm a nurse and I definitely won't be pulling a sickie over Christmas. We are going to make the best of it and give our patients the nicest Christmas they can have, under the circumstances.

MercyBooth · 20/12/2020 20:26

yes this occurred to me last night.

flowerycurtain · 20/12/2020 20:37

Pull a sickie in our business and every single other member of staff will make you feel pretty damn crap about it.

I've a sneaking suspicion that our staff who are working next weekend met up with their families today. Against the rules but they were always working all of the 5 day break anyway.

KitKat1985 · 20/12/2020 20:37

I'm a nurse working Christmas eve and Christmas day. I wouldn't consider calling in sick (unless I genuinely was!) as it wouldn't be fair on my colleagues or patients. I am a bit gutted though as we planned our family Christmas to be at the weekend after Christmas, which is now ruined. I do wish the government had allowed those of us keyworkers who are working Christmas day to still pick one day in the 5 day window to meet family. Yet again the NHS staff and keyworkers are getting the short straw.

I do remember when I was a student though applying for a part time job in a crappy chain pub which insisted on their staff working Christmas day. I imagine a lot of those staff will consider calling in sick if it's not a job they are really that dependent on, although there aren't exactly loads of hospitality jobs going right now so many will still be wary of getting on the wrong side of their employer if they want to hold onto their jobs.

Pipandmum · 20/12/2020 20:42

If people pull 'a sickie' then surely either someone else will have to cover or put even more work on those that did agree (and didn't shirk their responsibilities). My son's girlfriend has a shift at the pub (tier 1), and it would put a lot of pressure on the other waitresses if she didn't work.
My sister is working all Christmas and was happy to work if it meant someone else was able to spend the say with their family as she isn't married nor have kids. Sure she'd like a holiday as much as anyone, but can appreciate the difference. She's a doctor- someone else would definitely be called in if she didn't.

supercee · 21/12/2020 09:42

I get what you're saying @Pipandmum and it's not a dig but it irks me so much that single, childless people (like me) shouldn't have the same entitlement to a Christmas than people cosied up with partners and children.

This has been a shit for people like me, the isolation and loneliness has been horrible and heightened. I'm not a carer or a doctor/nurse, and the thought of doing a nightshift in an office alone all through Christmas when I just want to be sitting having a glass or 10 of wine with my parents.

On the flip side I am grateful to have a job.

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