BS: Working on Christmas Day

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: NH Dave
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 05:35 PM

In my last job, working on holidays was a great way to make some big bucks. In my position, I got paid regular time for the day, even if I didn't work it. Add at least one shift at time and a half, and perhaps a second, still time and a half, and by this time we're also talking overtime. You could almost make a week's pay working two shifts on Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Of course, being single, it made sense for me to give the married folks the holiday time off if they wanted it, so they could be with their families.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 05:25 PM

For the past several years Christmas dinner for us has been at my Unitarian Universalist congregation - a sort of motley potluck of whatever the various musicians, service participants and (of course) clergy and family could put together. Since Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year we get a mild reprieve - one of the three services has been moved to the morning.

My uncle works for the Transportation Safety Authority and has almost always had to work Christmas Day. It can make things a challenge.

For my job it comes with the territory and is at least Christmassy. For others, it's nothing but a hassle - and thanks to them indeed.

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 05:24 PM

I've got to go pick up a package on Saturday, I may just do that - if you're sure I won't get sued for endangering the health of my postal workers... encouraging obesity and diabetes and all that....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Slag
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 05:11 PM

And don't forget your Postal People. In the US most are not allowed to take any vacation leave in December up to Christmas Day. Some of that is changing now but it is still the senior-most members who have that advantage. Christmas Day is, of course, a day off but the mail continues to move and the day following Christmas can be twice as demanding as a normal day. These guys work hard. If you can, put a little treat or gift in your mail box for your carrier. Take a box of choclates down to the staion. Let them and others know you care. I usually take them a 10 pund sack of oranges.

Then there's your Doctor, the Pharmacist (Chemist) and a few other who give you services through out the year. Merry Christmas all!

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 01:50 PM

And plumbers and electricians and linemen...

On another thread someone said - it may have been RabbiSol - that in Orthodox Jewry one cannot volunteer to work on someone else's religious holiday if it falls on a day that one also holds sacred. (If I understood it correctly)

But in Oregon there is a Jewish community that steps in and takes the place on the job of many people who celebrate Christmas, which I think is exceedingly nice. They may have been from the 'ReformED Jew (as a dearly departed person once said) branch.

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: eddie1
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 01:47 PM

I'll second all of the above. I've just come from singing at a party at a Women's Aid refuge. I had a great time and I think the mums & kids enjoyed it as well!

My sympathies are with Sorcha. At the end of 99, I was doing care work and volunteered to work night shift on 31st December. Everyone was sooooo grateful! They were all getting to go to Millennium parties and things. Then it was announced that there was going to be a £300 tax-free bonus. Everyone then forgot that I had volunteered when it was going to be just another night shift – too bad!

Eddie

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 11:48 AM

Overtime for holidays? Unheard of around here. Just another day in the rotation schedule. Just keep it down on those days, eh? That is what portable radios are for! (smile)

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Snoozer
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 11:01 AM

When I was in college I worked part time in a Hospital kitchen, and I worked on Christmas day. I didn't mind it at all. (Most of) the full time workers could have the day off, and since I was commuting to college at the time, I was able to be home with my family for part of the day.
Plus, the doctors always tried to arrange it so that, where possible, patients could be at home for the holiday, so work was light that day.

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: The PA
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 10:47 AM

And all the vets and vet nurses, farmers and anyone who cares for animals. They dont know its Christmas (the animals - that is).

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Scrump
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 10:41 AM

Don't forget all those traffic wardens who will be trudging through the snow to put those tickets on drivers' windscreens, whatever the weather, for only time and a half.

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Cluin
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 10:31 AM

How about the familes of those who have to work? They miss their loved ones at a time that is supposed to be about family togetherness.

My mother was a nurse and every year had to work either Xmas or New Years. Now my girlfriend is an RN as well and is working Christmas this year. Luckily for her kids, they do the Christmas Eve thing with their Dad's side of the family, but they'll still be home for a Mom-less Christmas Day.

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: mack/misophist
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 10:26 AM

Before I retired, the competition to work on Xmas day was fierce; the only day of the year with double time and a half. You had to be senior to work that day.

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Becca72
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 08:55 AM

I don't want this to sound like a pat on the back for myself, but I do transcription, per diem, at a local hospital (radiology dept.) and for the last 3 years or so I've volunteered to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning so that one of my coworkers can spend the time at home with their family. I find that to be a great gift to them. Plus double time doesn't break my heart!

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: jacqui.c
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 08:51 AM

Amen to all the above.

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: skipy
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 08:23 AM

Don't forget all our brave boys & girls out there in the sand & bullets.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: artbrooks
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 08:17 AM

Amen (secularly speaking, of course) to all that...and let's also all hope that whoever they work for pays (significantly) extra for working on holidays.

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 08:11 AM

I'm very please to know my cardiac specialist is on call at my local hospital (2 blocks away) on Christmas day in case I need him!

Not that the other staff in Emergency are not the best, & another excellent cardiac specialist will be call other days, so that if I need assistance at any time, they will all be there!

Big cheer (YAH) to shiftworkers who volunteer or accept shifts on days when (almost) everyone else is celebrating with family & friends.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Slag
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 03:45 AM

Don't forget Santa! He puts in a 24++ hour day, that day.

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Paul Burke
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 03:43 AM

Not just police and (hell-)fire:

Hospitals (doctors, nurses, technicians, ancilliaries).
Power- someone keeps the generators spinning.
Water and sewage (and gas) are mostly automated, but there are maintenance people on call.
Care workers in residential homes. And those on call for the inevitable emergencies- Christmas is one of the worst times for family break-ups, volence etc.

There are others working long and unsocial hours too: burglars and thieves, muggers, rapists. Let's keep them in our thoughts at this time of goodwill. And the terrorshits and gulag guards.

And of course, rust never sleeps.

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Beer
Date: 20 Dec 06 - 09:58 PM

If your into music Ranger, check out Stan Rogers song "First Christmas'.
Beer

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Dec 06 - 09:54 PM

We accept on behalf of the police. 20+ years now...it's just another day. But, thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Dec 06 - 09:18 PM

Yes, thank you and also to people of other faiths who volunteer those days. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Dec 06 - 09:16 PM

We accept, on behalf of clergy and their families.

~Susan & Hardiman the Fiddler

Subject: BS: Working on Christmas Day
From: RangerSteve
Date: 20 Dec 06 - 07:55 PM

For once, that's not me. But while I'm retired, I'd like to thank all the Police, Fire Fighters, Medical workers, and anyone else who has to work on Christmas. Thanks for being there, and I hope your day is a quiet one.

Steve