Christmas holidays

[filthiestfis]

Is it compulsory to work on christmas day?

[cassa333]

(Who said that the need for people to eat out on xmas day is greater than the need for them to spend the only sacred day of the year with their families? }

If you feel that strongly then you can always go to mass/church before or after your shift.

If you are that much into celebrating the birth of Christ then you can still do it around work. Perhaps you can even bring a little religion into work to make the day more pleasent for those who have to work. Maybe say a prayer of thanks at the begining of the shift.

Or do you just want the day off?

[mrs.chappie]

As a GPO telephonist I worked every Christmas day, and was happy to do so. (There always has to be an operator available to connect emergency calls).

The shifts were only two hours long, and we got a full day off in lieu. There was never a shortage of volunteers!

[filthiestfis]

Yes a day off on xmas day would be welcome! I just dont see it as essential to open restaurants on this day. Supermarkets close, dont they?

[redcrx]

some supermarkets opne, even if just for shorter hours.

[gina32]

and why shouldnt people go out for a family meal on christmas day, a lot of people dont have the chance to have a family meal due to the 24/7 society. i used to work in a care home and we had to work christmas day and new years day, and how about the cooks in those places???

[filthiestfis]

Well of course that cooks working for hospitals and care homes need to work on xmas day, unless provisions are made, such as making meals day before. This is different altogether.
Are you saying that the only day that families have in the whole year to dine together is xmas day? Are you serious? So it is ok for some to enjoy their xmas lunch in a restaurant and screw those that have to work on that day? I think that is selfish. Well, I'm not getting anywhere with my argument in favour of closing restaurants on xmas day.

[gina32]

have you never been anywhere on a christmas day, be it to the shops or pub? lots of people work on christmas day, people who you dont see, do you watch tv or listen to the radio on the day? where do you draw the line about who does and doesnt work on the day? it wont be long before supermarkets are open christmas day, after all its only easter day that they have to close! hotels are open! the list goes on

[filthiestfis]

I must admit, I do admire the French because they stand up for what they believe is right and protest for an improvement of their rights. They don't happily agree with everything that goes on, however ridiculous it may be. Why not contest the law if you are not happy with it? 1 person may not be enough to make a change but a few thousand get together and make a change! That's what unions are for! My point is that the majority of you seem to agree and defend restaurants' decision to open on christmas day. It is like you are happy to follow any rule no matter how daft it may be! Yes, it is a good idea for them to open on this day to make a profit, but I don't want to be forced to work on this day. I believe that it should be on a voluntary basis. I am not talking about all jobs. WE have already discussed about the ones that must be open every day of the year.
So you are probably thinking that if I like the French so much why don't I move to France? Now that's a thought.

[bednobs]

"Are you saying that the only day that families have in the whole year to dine together is xmas day? "

but this is what you seem to be saying! - that people must have christmas off to spend time with their families, like thats the only day of the year they can do so!

[gina32]

simple answer, dont like it, you know where the door is! end off story, as i said do you not watch the tv listen to the radio on the day, who do you think enables you to do that, if they didnt youd be sat round all day doing nothing and thats only 2 lots of people, why should restaurants be different?

[Twenty20]

So, you're really telling us that you sit at home all over Christmas, not using any gas or electricity (because people have to go in to work to make sure youre supplied with that), not watching tv for the same reason, not listening to the radio, etc etc etc. I'm sorry but I dont believe you! Oh, I see, you only want the people to work who can provide you with the services you want, not what other people might want. "I dont want to go to a restaurant therefore all restaurant workers should be given the day off".

Not your best thought out argument ever on here eh?!

[filthiestfis]

Excuse me but gas electricity and water are essentials. Restaurants are not! My argument is VERY well thought out. Emergency services need to operate on every day of the week and people who decide to work in media know what they are getting themselves into. Since when has it been essential to open a restaurant on xmas day? I think you lot have your priorities WRONG.
I barely watch tv as it is now and as for listening to the radio? Never do. They have become 365/1 essentials to people, but not to me. I couldn't care if there is no tv or radio on xmas day. Do I want to watch another repeat of chitty chitty, bang bang?
I am in favour of improving workers' rights. Employees should not have to work this day if they don't want to (exempted in certain lines of work). End of. You guys can carry on discussing the subject but I will retract from commenting further because I have heard enough!

[thugulike]

As the person responsible for cooking, sadly for me, the answer is yes

[gina32]

what you mean is nobody has agreed with you.

[baileybird]

I wouldn't be suprised if you don't end up getting Christmas Day off .... and many more after with your attitude!!!!!!!

[spudqueen]

To answer your original question - yes it is compulsory for me to work on Christmas Day - I'm a Mum, and if I didn't work then no-one in our house would have any Christmas dinner as I'm the only one capable of cooking it!

Like most Mums I cook nearly every day. We have ready meals maybe once a month, and a takeaway a couple of times a month, and a meal out once every two or three months, so I cook most days. And I cook real meals from real food from scratch. Maybe other Mums would like a day off and have a family meal out. It's maybe the only day they will get off all year.

[terambulan]

Who will cook the xmas meal at home? If its the wife, when does she have a day off?

Take her out for xmas meal where filthiestfis will serve her.......if well, he might get a handsome tip!

Resign if you dont like your job filthiestfis and let someone more appreciative do the work.

[puddicat]

I have to work christmas this year 24/25/26th as we have to work one or the other,christmas is the most wanted out of the two,so i will to just accept it, though i am getting new year off,only the 31/1st back on the 2nd,gave me a few days off after christmas, no blinking use then,!!!