Being forced to work on Thanksgiving/Christmas: Is it right?

[SantoUno]

Of course Thanksgiving only applies to us in the US, but since others places celebrate Christmas too, bear with me.

Do you think it is right for places to make their employees work on these holidays? I mean this is when everybody should be with their families and enjoy the day, but many places like theatres, restaurants, and department stores are open on those days so that some people can still go out. A friend of mine is working this thanksgiving night 6PM-closing, that is just messed up.

I have always felt that it is wrong for those people to be put to work on those holidays. And it seems like it will always be like that.

 

[StANDY1338]

I work in ASDA and work Christmas and new years eves' but working on the day themselves seems cruel to me. But I suppose people need to go shopping every day of the year I mean they might still want to buy a turkey and shove it in the microwave.

 

[Frankydee]

I've worked a thanksgiving before back when I was a salad bar attendant at a Ruby Tuesdays. Frankly, it's not really that bad if you consider a lack of anyone to enjoy the holiday with justifiable for missing out.

 

[Gigaguy64]

Ehh.
I dont like it but, its my job.
I haft to work or i get fired.
Though my managers are good at letting everyone have a few holidays off.

 

[credop]

i have a choice of working 2/3 days, Christmas, Christmas Eve or new years. I hate them all.

 

[Melon Hunter]

It is wrong. If you need supplies on a public holiday, then it's your own fault that you forgot. Why should other people have to work to make up for someone else's forgetfulness?

 

[Slycne]

Or flip that on its head then. Is it right that I couldn't find these services if I don't celebrate Christmas? Not everyone celebrates the same holidays, I've been lead to believe that theaters traditionally see a large influx of ticket sales on Christmas from those of the Jewish faith.

If you work in the service or retail industry you want/need to be open when enough of your customers want to purchase. So no, I don't think it's wrong, and if anyone doesn't like it then that's all that more incentive to find a different and probably better job.

 

[IactoSophos]

Well, I think it mainly depends for Christmas on if you're religious. You don't force Muslims to eat at Rabbadan (SP?) or force Jews to work on the Sabbath. If you're a Christian, you should definitely be able to take Christmas off

 

[DazZ.]

January 1st is my birthday, they can bugger off if they expect me to work, but I have always been let off seeing as it is my birthday as well as New Years.

(Not that I would turn up if they made me)

 

[muckinscavitch]

Extra pay is always sweet. I think most places should be closed except the necessary places (hospitals, police stations, fire departments). These places that need to be open should make an effort to look for people who want to work those days for extra pay, or maybe they don't celebrate x-mas (different religeon, or whatever reason). But, seeing as some places are needed, if need be they would have to assign people to work regardless.

Restaurants, grocery stores, movie theatres, ect.(businesses I suppose) should all be closed though. They are not a necessity, so they should not be able to force people to work on said days.

 

[Tears of Blood]

Actually, nothing but society forces you to go to work on holidays. Sure, you might get fired for skippin' work, but hey, nobody's gonna' throw you in jail for it.

If an employer wants to make a rule that you must work on holidays, then they're totally free to do that. You signed the paperwork, friend. You knew that if you wanted this job, you might have to work holidays.

So, basically, it's totally fair.

Also, this:

Or flip that on its head then. Is it right that I couldn't find these services if I don't celebrate Christmas? Not everyone celebrates the same holidays, I've been lead to believe that theaters traditionally see a large influx of ticket sales on Christmas from those of the Jewish faith.

If you work in the service or retail industry you want/need to be open when enough of your customers want to purchase. So no I don't think it's wrong, and if anyone doesn't like it then that's all that more incentive to find a different and probably better job.

Excellent. I can't believe I didn't say this.

 

[PxDn Ninja]

I work in the game industry and while we get those days off, many of us will volunteer to work on those days. Being forced to work those days is no issue in my opinion, however if you are forced to work, you should get time off nearby to allow for family gatherings and such.

 

[NIHILHATE]

Every American citizen (who's ancestors weren't natives) Should be FORCED to work on thanksgiving. Just think of it as community service.

 

[Cilliandrew]

Eh, at the place i worked at thru university people used to fight to try to work holidays.. It was double-time and a half pay.

The extra cash was always nice.

 

[Corpse XxX]

I work every Christmas, and almost every other holiday as well.. Doesnt really bother me that much..
Im a fishfarmer, and the salmon wants food every day. So cant really skip it and sit on my ass at home..

But you make twice the money, get double pay cause of holiday.. Also get paid the holidays that i dont work, not many days that but still..

The world cant stop turning just because some people believe in a comic book written 2000 years ago..

 

[Sigel]

It wouldn't be so bad if every person who walked in didn't f*cking have a comment about it. Ex-"So you are open. Wow, that is a shame.""Must suck to be here today" etc. I seriously just want to stop the person(s)and say, "You make me want to kill myself". This is why I do not work any place that is open Thankgiving or Christmas anymore.

TW-No,personally, I do not think most places should be open on holidays, but I do have friends who work in restaurants who count on working Thanksgiving cause the tips are so good, so what the hell do I know.

 

[Toaster Hunter]

I get paid overtime (one and a half times my normal pay) to work on holidays. I'd be stupid not to.

 

[Comma-Kazie]

If the company offers overtime such as holiday pay, then perhaps--IF the employee in question wants to work.