Christmas Working.

**NotAllThere** · 26 July 2017, 08:42

What does the contract say about unsocial hours working? My current contract specifies 1.5x for outside normal working hours (i.e. 7pm to 7am weekdays and all day Saturday) and 2x for Sunday.

Frankly, without a reasonable uplift, I'd tell you (or the client) to get stuffed. I would also only do oncall without recompense on the understanding that any work I do is charged at the full uplifted day rate, and I don't guarantee to be sober.

Start negotiating.

**original PM** · 26 July 2017, 08:42

Hmm i am not 100% sure but I think working bank holidays normally incurs some form of enhanced payment/days off in lieu.

The main question I would ask is why do people need to be in during that period - is it something so business critical that the company will haemorrhage money if it is not done.

Or do you just have some senior bod on a power trip who gets off on ruining people's xmas (like you?)

**northernladuk** · 26 July 2017, 08:47

Xmas eve is a normal working day unless it's a weekend day no?

I pay the house staff twice their normal rate on Xmas day and boxing day. So that's double **** all.

I have to let the gladiators have the day off. Too expensive.

**original PM** · 26 July 2017, 08:49

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Xmas eve is a normal working day unless it's a weekend day no?

Indeed - in fact even it is at the weekend but part of your normal working pattern it is still just a normal day.

Xmas day and Boxing day are bank holidays so may attract different rules - in fact no they don't!

Bank holidays: five things employers need to know | Personnel Today

**northernladyuk** · 26 July 2017, 08:49

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Xmas eve is a normal working day unless it's a weekend day no?

Agreed.

Advise them that you are unavailable for work over the Christmas break as you will be on holiday.

**BlasterBates** · 26 July 2017, 09:04

It is unreasonable to expect you to work bank holidays or weekends unless otherwise stated explicitly in your contract.

Assume you won't be working Christmas day and Boxing day and you are contractually perfectly entitled to refuse if asked. If asked state your terms, i.e. double pay, if they complain tell them it wasn't in the contract and needs to be negotiated separate.

However this is not something you need to discuss with the client. All your negotiations on this issue should be purely with the agency. If the client starts hassling you, then point him to the agency. Obviously your holiday plans should be communicated to the client, this can be done via the agency or you can inform him directly and then you can just add the bank holiday dates as well, just for information.

**SueEllen** · 26 July 2017, 09:08

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Xmas eve is a normal working day unless it's a weekend day no?

Due to the fact many people have to travel across the country to family many people take the day off as holiday.

As a result of many staff being away lots of companies let people finish at lunch time or have the day as part of the company's standard Christmas closing holiday.

In all the years I've worked including in IT the only companies that have expected people to work a full day on Christmas Eve have been in customer facing positions or who like Grinch2017 company's management don't have a fecking clue. The latter soon learnt it wasn't a good idea.

**Mordac** · 26 July 2017, 09:11

Originally posted by Grinch2017 View Post

Just received notification from the company I am contracting with that they intend to offer standard day rate only for Christmas working. We have a major event over the Christmas period and I need a full team in for about a week.

Also - no recompense for on call.

Anyone else have experience of having to work over the Christmas period and is it reasonable to expect an enhanced rate to work Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Would my day rate contractors be within their rights to refuse to work for standard rate?

Thanks.

Tell them you are not available. I wouldn't do it, even for 3x rate, as we normally go away for Chrimbo. What does your contract say about Public Holidays?

**original PM** · 26 July 2017, 09:16

Originally posted by SueEllen View Post

Due to the fact many people have to travel across the country to family many people take the day off as holiday.

As a result of many staff being away lots of companies let people finish at lunch time or have the day as part of the company's standard Christmas closing holiday.

In all the years I've worked including in IT the only companies that have expected people to work a full day on Christmas Eve have been in customer facing positions or who like Grinch2017 company's management don't have a fecking clue. The latter soon learnt it wasn't a good idea.

Indeed - having said the the posters name is Grinch and he is trying to imply Christmas has been stolen so my troll detecter is twitching!

Christmas Working.