Santa is not the only one working extra time over the Christmas period. Cheers to those working on the frontline through the holidays while others celebrate.

Wednesday 15th December, 2021

While many of us look forward to taking some time off work over Christmas and enjoying a holiday break away from work with our families and loved ones, there’s an army of frontline workers in various industries for whom public holidays mean business as usual.

Santa, his elves and reindeer are known for pulling all night hours to make Christmas happen for children everywhere. Perhaps we should celebrate the real life workers putting in overtime and sacrificing time with their families at this time of year.

If whipping up Christmas dinner with all the trimmings to feed your family feels like a lot of work, remember that many professional chefs are working extra hours to feed the masses at resorts, hotels and restaurants around the country.

Christmas Day is one of the busiest days of the year for those working in the hospitality industry, and unfortunately taking time off to celebrate the holiday with their families is not an option for many workers

If you’re eating out these holidays, or have a family member or friend working in a commercial kitchen, raise a glass to all the chefs, cooks, resort, hotel and restaurant workers.

While a lot of businesses shut down for a break over Christmas, people still have places to be. Additionally, many revellers choose to indulge in a few more celebratory drinks than they normally would, so public transport is a necessity.

Public bus drivers, ferry captains, taxi and private car drivers in cities and towns around the country will all be called upon to work over the Christmas period, regardless of public holidays.

Here’s to the drivers, public transport workers and staff working over the holidays to get us all where we’re going.

It’s well known that our emergency services workers are heroes. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses and hospital staff are all on call, on matter what day of the year.

Just as our medical professionals were on the frontline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re called upon to work long shifts and extra hours each year all throughout the holiday season

We all pray for a safe and happy Christmas with our families and loved ones, but in the event of a medical emergency, natural disaster, house fire or other emergency, our emergency services workers are the ones called on to save the day.

If you or a family member has to work on Christmas Day or over the holiday period, there’s a few things you can do to make things easier.

WORK FLEXIBLE HOURS IF POSSIBLE

Employers are more likely to accommodate requests for flexible working hours or conditions over the holiday period. In order to cope with the pressure of working over the Christmas period, it might be possible to split shifts with colleagues in order to avoid spending the entire day on duty.

CELEBRATE ON THE JOB

Take part in festivities while on the job, if possible. Organise a lunch or exchange small gifts with co-workers. If your workplace hasn’t organised a celebration, consider going for drinks or dinner with colleagues after finishing your shift.

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY OFF-PEAK

Working over the holiday period can have its perks - namely avoiding the worst of the Christmas crowds. your shift.

Restaurants, shopping malls and other public places can be packed with a chaotic last-minute rush of customers in the lead up to Christmas and on the day itself. your shift.

When the rush has subsided a couple of days later, you can have the chance to celebrate off-peak and take a well deserved break, without having to deal with the overwhelming crowds.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH LOVED ONES

While overtime holiday pay and a quiet office are certainly perks of working through the holiday period, it can still feel a little lonely in the moment for those on the job while their families celebrate. Organise to check in with a phone call, FaceTime or Skype meet up during the celebratory meal.

If your family member is working, remember to touch base with them, send texts or organise to catch up after their shift is complete.