working holidays

TazziRN, RN · May 27, 2006

The major winter ones are alternated every year, unless one volunteers to work them. I had last Christmas off, so this year I work it. The other holidays in the year aren't treated special, if you want it off you request it.

CuttingEdgeRN · May 27, 2006

We each have to work one major and one minor holiday a year. The holidays you will work that year and the ones you worked last year and the year before are posted on the bulletin board for all to "admire". You are welcome to switch out with other co-workers when the schedule is actually posted.

htrn · May 27, 2006

We alternate the holidays every year - Christmas and New Years are the only ones we get extra pay for. It is a sore spot with some of us that the salaried people, business office, etc... don't have to work Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, etc... but we have to and don't get incentive pay for doing it. Would you believe, even in the Catholic Hospital, Easter isn't considered a holiday.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 27, 2006

Staff takes turns and trades as they wish.

beautifulb · May 27, 2006

I don't think holidays are ever fair. Also, one needs to consider what is a holiday. Even though President's Day is considered a holiday at a lot of places, I don't think it is a big deal to work it. Who really celebrates President's Day!? Then there are those days that no one wants to work like Halloween, Christmas Eve, Easter, Mother's Day, etc. It's like whoever is scheduled for those days is stuck with it. And like a previous poster said, there is no incentive. As a night person, I could work Christmas Night ~ go in at 11pm ~ but I would not get holiday pay, even though my Christmas is somewhat ruined because I can't go crazy and celebrate all day. New Years Eve stinks for evening shift because most of the fun things are on the eve, but you don't get paid for it. I guess I am griping but every year there is always complaining about who worked when and so and so always gets Valentine's Day off etc. The thing is is that we work in the healthcare field and it is open 24/7.

Mississippi_RN · May 27, 2006

We get 7 paid holidays a year (56 hours)...New Year's Day, MLK Jr Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If we work any of those holidays, we get paid time and a half for working them in addition to getting the 8 hours for the day to take off some other time. If we happen to be off, we still get the day to take another day. Now, on most holidays I don't mind working (like I am working Memorial Day and I am working 4th of July for another girl who has a big family to-do) but then others, like Christmas mainly, I would like to have off sometimes. I was off last year and that was nice, but now I am going to be working for the next 2 years and that sucks... I have a 2 and a half year old and would like to be able to see him open his presents. Now, I am more than willing, and was willing last year, to split the day with someone if they would. I mean, since I have a young child, they come in the first half and let me see him open presents and then, someone who doesnt have small kids, but has family could leave at noon and I would come in and let them go eat Christmas dinner with the family. The only problem is people dont want to do that...too much trouble to them I guess, but that would be because they dont have kids probably.

fergus51 · May 27, 2006

Everyone has to do a certain number of holidays, but people can trade as much as they like. I worked every holiday for the last 2 years except last Xmas because I volunteered to do so. This year, I probably won't work a single holiday other than the 4th of July cause I'm a traveller and I can do what I want:)

luvmy2angels · May 27, 2006

We alternate unless someone volunteers or you may switch. As long as there is enough staff to work. I will be working Christmas this year since we are paid double time!!

PANurseRN1 · May 27, 2006

We get 7 paid holidays a year (56 hours)...New Year's Day, MLK Jr Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If we work any of those holidays, we get paid time and a half for working them in addition to getting the 8 hours for the day to take off some other time. If we happen to be off, we still get the day to take another day. Now, on most holidays I don't mind working (like I am working Memorial Day and I am working 4th of July for another girl who has a big family to-do) but then others, like Christmas mainly, I would like to have off sometimes. I was off last year and that was nice, but now I am going to be working for the next 2 years and that sucks... I have a 2 and a half year old and would like to be able to see him open his presents. Now, I am more than willing, and was willing last year, to split the day with someone if they would. I mean, since I have a young child, they come in the first half and let me see him open presents and then, someone who doesnt have small kids, but has family could leave at noon and I would come in and let them go eat Christmas dinner with the family. The only problem is people dont want to do that...too much trouble to them I guess, but that would be because they dont have kids probably.

There are numerous reasons why someone without children would still want that morning off, and those people should never have to justify their reasons.

Having kids is not a trump card. If your work interferes with what you want to do with your kids, then you need to find a job that will accommodate those desires. It's not the responsibility of your co-workers to do so; it's nice if they do, but it should never be expected, and those who don't want to shouldn't be treated with resentment.

MA Nurse · May 28, 2006

just out of curiosity-how does your hospital handle working holidays? do you find that people want to work those days, or does the staff take turns?

I have been battling this issue for 16 years. Our NICU goes by seniority ONLY, never rotates major holidays! I've worked Xmas eve or day every year for 16 years except for being on maternity leave twice! Also worked every Thanksgiving, too, except once when another nurse offerred to work for me. I am starting a new job where the per diem requirement is you choose ONE holiday, either New years or Xmas. Their benefitted staff gets paid DOUBLE time and a half for holidays!! SO, they are usually WELL staffed on those days, so per diems usually get them off (we get time and a hlf pay if working).

This is a sore subject in my unit every year. The new job also rotates major holidays, which is the only fair way to go about this! :rotfl: