Working Xmas Week?
A long, long time ago, I was employed by a phone company and was scheduled to work on Christmas Day. It was the worst shift of my life, not only because I wasn’t able to join in my family celebration 8 hours away, but also because the actual work I was doing that day was pretty pointless. I was fielding calls from customers who were getting a fast busy signal when dialing overseas. A fast busy signal means there are no lines available. Hmmm, do you think maybe it’s because everyone was calling their family to wish them a Merry Christmas? I couldn’t actually connect the calls, all I could do was tell customers to try again later.
Having said that, working Christmas week - outside of Christmas Day and Boxing Day - can actually be quite pleasant. There aren’t as many distractions and you can accomplish some menial tasks (like clearing out your email). The Regus Group conducted a poll to find out how you would be spending your time in the office during the holidays and here are the results:
- 48% - Working as hard as possible (’As possible’ being the operative phrase)
- 41% - Catching up on neglected tasks (Is ’sleep’ a neglected task?)
- 14% - Coming in late and/or leaving early (Now you’re talking!)
- 12% - Arranging next year’s work calendar (Brown-noser)
- 11% - Shopping online (Good idea! No busybodies looking over your shoulder)
Are you working Christmas week? How about on New Year’s Eve or even New Year’s Day? How do you plan on passing the time? Post your comments in the reply section below. My 100 point, Jack Nation bonus code for today is WORKINGONCHRISTMAS because unless your job is considered an essential service, you probably shouldn’t be. Make sure you enter the code by December 21st.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Hey Carly -
Yes, I’m one of those ‘lucky’ people working Christmas Day, 7am to 3pm (not too bad as at least I don’t miss the whole dinner thing!), and as of yesterday it was confirmed that I am now working New Year’s Eve - 11pm to 7 am - yipee - (*hit)…comes with the job - Communication in a hospital…but c’mon…guess the boss ‘forgot’ I worked 3-11pm last New Year’s Eve and then filled in New Year’s Day 7am to 3pm due to an idiot who called in ’sick’ and who has since been FIRED! On top of this, I am working 3 midnight shifts between Christmas and New Year — will be having a ‘chat’ with the boss tomorrow, methinks!
Have yourself a Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year…thanks for the great blogs and all the info! Cheers!
December 19th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Hi Carly:
I love your photo of Lilly Tomlin from ‘Laugh In’, her skit in that series was hilarious. It brings back memories of what a great show it was.
Since I didn’t book them off I have to work both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, fortunately it’s the day shift. Going into work for both those Mondays kind of sucks, though.
Have a great Christmas and New Year!
Rick
December 19th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
I am to work christmas week
quitting time is 2pm on Dec 24 back on the 27, 2pm Dec 31 back on Jan 2.
Had to find child care for the kids,
Husband has to work DEC 26, yuk
Well i work for the service department that repairs gas stations (pumps) and if people need gasoline, than someone has got to do dispatch, time tracking and invoicing.
Have a wonderful weeks off and thank you for making radio listening entretaining.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
wrong # lost you ‘I’ like it!!!!
December 19th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
I think I’m working a few days next week including Christmas Eve, but not Christmas Day and Boxing Day. That might change though, since one of my co-workers was in a car accident last week and will be away from work for about three months. My other co-worker and I will probably have to pick up her shifts, which is okay, since it’s more money for me!
December 19th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
carly,
I worked for the phone company, and used to support one of the banks which closed the week between Christmas and new Years every year. Everyone I worked wioth used to take this week off because the bank was off, but they wasted a weeks vacation. For five years I told them all, i am single, and have no family, i will work and cover for all of you. i think in working that week 6 years, i was called once. I just stayed home and chilled. And I got an extra weeks vacation every year.
Cheers,
JK