Annoying holiday policies

Lace Neil Singer · #1 07-13-2006, 12:16 PM

Anyone got any stories? At my job, I have no time off during the summer months cuz those months always, without exception, go to people with kids. I understand about summer holidays, but I still think it's unfair that I'm expected to slog thruout the summer with no time off at all. *le sigh* To clarify, what counts as summer is June/July/August and over here, the summer holidays don't even start til the end of July, so why can't I and the other childless peons have time off in say, June or the beginning of July?

Becks · #2 07-13-2006, 03:59 PM

In a lot of the departments at work, NO ONE is allowed/supposed to take their vacations during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. I see the point, I really do, but it's tough for me, because maybe, just maybe I would like to be able to go from New Jersey to Wisconsin to spend a holiday or two with MY family? (Nothing against my future in-laws.)

~~KayEm~~ · #3 07-13-2006, 05:10 PM

I agree, Lace....I always say that as long as the rules are applied evenly and fairly to everyone, then I wouldn't have a problem with them. But when some people override the rules, while others can't..THEN it's a problem.

It's especially annoying when you don't have kids, yet keep having to make up for those who choose to reproduce..I totally understand that feeling. Just because I don't have kyds, does that mean I don't deserve to enjoy a nice holiday by myself ? Companies are just too breeder friendly.

Lace Neil Singer · #4 07-13-2006, 09:22 PM

Exactly. No offence to people with kids, but having had kids shouldn't automatically grant you superior holiday status.

Brighid45 · #5 07-13-2006, 09:32 PM

At my workplace you were always told never to take vacation time in the summer or over the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's holidays, since those are absolutely insane times for us due to product demand. I was good about taking my vacay during really crappy months like February until I noticed that some people could take vacation pretty much anytime they wanted to--often at a moment's notice--when I got hassled about asking for a week off a year in advance. Well, **** that consideration. Just because I live alone doesn't mean I wouldn't like to go to the shore in July or take my birthday off (it's a week before Christmas *sigh* pita!). Now I just take my vacation whenever and don't worry about it. We somehow manage to keep up with demand anyway. What a crock.

Rapscallion · #6 07-13-2006, 09:40 PM

Oh, I don't know. It also depends on your definition of superior.

I don't mind children so much, but I sometimes am happy to be away from them. I spent a long weekend on the Isle of Man last year, but as it was before main holiday season, it was very quiet and relaxing. At the time, it was perfect for relaxing and investigating the place. Outside of school holiday time is cheaper, for that matter.

However, had I taken a holiday at a butlins or similar sort of holiday camp, I would have expected children everywhere. They're not that bad, but best when given back to the parents when they're dirty.

Rapscallion

Greenday · #7 07-13-2006, 10:10 PM

Um, at my summer job, if it's your first year, you don't get any extra pay whatsoever for any holidays you work, aka July 4th, Memorial Day, Father's Day, etc. And regardless of which year it is for you, you are expected to come in. It's not volunteer really. I just told them I was going to Pittsburg last year on July 4th and that I wouldn't be in. I told them that when I first applied. I told them every week for three weeks before July 4th. They STILL put me on the scheduele. Morons.

Barefootgirl · #8 07-14-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Quoth Lace Neil Singer

At my job, I have no time off during the summer months cuz those months always, without exception, go to people with kids.

That's just wrong. Personally i can't understand wanting to go away in the peak period anyway - everything is ten times as expensive and I'd rather be in a nice cool air-conditioned office - but I do realise some people like the summer. Certainly, given that all kids should still be in school in June, there doesn't seem to be a sensible reason for not letting you take time off in June.

They should just move to a first-come-first-served system for holidays. You book your holidays first, you get first pick of the dates. My colleague and I both have kids, and yes, we need to take time off in August, but since one of us has to be here all the time, we have to be adult and sort it out among ourselves. I always know my daughter's school holidays at the end of the previous year, so I can get the time off booked as soon as i come back after Christmas. I don't get special privileges because I have a kid, but I get first pick of the dates I want because I book early.

NightAngel · #9 07-14-2006, 08:57 AM

I have kids. I work alot of holidays, my birthday, etc. I cover for people when they need time off for *whatever*.

Here's the thing- I'm lucky enough to have family that watch my kids when I'm not home. They do it for free. If they didn't and I had to pay for daycare it would eat my entire check. The out of school months are hard for most parents who aren't as lucky as I am.

Daycare is insanely expensive and who knows whether your child is going to be watched, fed or anything else while they're there? It took exactly ONE bad daycare experience when my oldest son was little to know I didn't ever want my kids in a daycare program again.

Now, I certainly would never say it's right for only people with kids to get vacation time during the Summer. But there is a big difference between needing off to take care of your kids and wanting off so you can go party or whatever.

The other question that arises to me is, for the people who do have daycare, are the daycare facilities even open on major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving? I'm going to guess no. Then what are the people with kids supposed to do? Bring them to work? Leave them home alone? What?

Lace Neil Singer · #10 07-14-2006, 12:41 PM

I don't want time off in the summer so I can go party, more to do with the fact that summer is the busiest ever time (even busier than Christmas as there it only starts to get busy the week before) and I get absolutely knackered working 3 months with no time off!

I don't want to go on holiday at that time as it's too expensive; I just want to chill for a week. Not too much to ask, surely? However, my work seems to think that parents deserve it more, even when their kids are still in school.