Dear Jobs Guru: ‘I don’t have children – however I nonetheless don’t need to work over Christmas’
Reader Laura is fed up with colleagues expecting her to volunteer for shifts they can spend time with their families. Jobs Guru James Innes is here with some advice
Question:
Dear James,
I work in a busy restaurant which has decided to open over Christmas for the first time. We are still sorting out who is going to work which shifts as no one is keen to work on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
The manager has asked for volunteers first before assigning people hours.
I am 27 and single, and my colleagues who have young children think this means I should take on the lion’s share so they can spend time with their families.
This seems very unfair to me – why am I being penalised for not having kids? How can I make them see I also deserve time off over Christmas? Or should I just grudgingly volunteer for the sake of everyone getting on?
Laura, London
Answer:
This is a tricky one, Laura! I can completely see your point of view – but I can also see theirs…
You say that your colleagues with children think you should be volunteering. Have they actually said this? Or is it just an assumption on your part? I certainly think it would be unfair for them to bring any pressure to bear on you – and you would be justified in being unhappy about such treatment.
Dare I suggest, though, that you try to see things from their point of view too? One day it might well be you with kids and you would certainly appreciate it, wouldn’t you, if someone else took one for the team and volunteered so that you could be with your children.
And this leads me on to my main point: just think of the major brownie points! I’m not just talking about your colleagues here; I’m talking about the management. If you do decide to volunteer then I think that would go down very well indeed with everyone – even more so given that this is the very first time the restaurant has opened at that time of year.
And do also think of the money; check your contract and you could well find that you’ll be on double pay. I’d also expect the tips to be particularly healthy on those days!
Top Tip:
If you decide to ‘take one for the team’ then, whatever you do, don’t devalue the gesture by doing it grudgingly! If you’re going to do it, then do it with a smile on your face!
Spotlight On: Working on Christmas Day
If you work in retail, you will probably know that the Christmas Trading Act 2004 does not allow most large retail stores to open on Christmas Day. Good news for you!
In other sectors, however, it might come as a surprise to many readers to learn that salaried staff don’t have an automatic right to take Christmas Day off. It all depends on your contract – which is yet another reason to always read a contract carefully before you sign it!
In reality, yes, most people do get the day off or, if they don’t, they are entitled to extra pay. Just know that it is not a legal requirement. It all depends on what is in your contract. Read the small print!
Our Jobs Guru, James Innes, is a best-selling careers author and founder of the world’s leading group of professional CV and resume writers .
Get a head start on your dream career with James’ new book The Job You’ve Always Wanted (£16.99), out December 2 from Pearson.
