Can my employer force me to work on a public holiday?

[missingu]

So this year I worked a public holiday. I was more than happy to do it. I was on my own running the show with my employees there too while my boss and coworker had the day off.

 

I told my boss the next public holiday in 3 months time I am unavailable to work. He wasn't happy and said he's definitely not coming in as he doesn't get paid for it. My other team member does get paid for it but refuses to work public holidays, we are both managers.

 

Im pissed off why should I work this public holiday. My workplace is the kind of workplace that people from management down only care about themselves and are extremely manipulative. I thought it's only fair that someone else does it every 2nd or 3rd holiday..So frustrating. Im refusing. Am I overreacting?

[alphamale]

just call in sick man

[Mr. Lucky]

Am I overreacting?

 

No.

 

Can my employer force me to work on a public holiday?

 

He can certainly schedule you on that day, and treat you as a "no call/no show" under your company's disciplinary policy if you don't work.

 

This might be something to discuss with your boss's immediate superior...

 

Mr. Lucky

[Blind-Sided]

I'm with Mr Lucky on this one.

 

 

You are an adult... and you have a job with someone above you. (The boss) If you don't like the situation, then look for a new job. Also, since you already voiced your displeasure on working the next holiday... it would be EXTRA bad to just call off. Regardless of their policy, it could be the thing needed for them to replace you.

 

 

In my younger years... I worked retail, and I worked holidays. Later in life, I became my own boss, and I still have to work, or travel on days that I care about. (Holidays or family events)

 

 

Sorry to be a downer, but that's life.

[MetallicHue]

I agree with other posters. Regardless if I were a boss and employee had to work a holiday I would work with them on the holiday too and help where I could.

[Foxhall]

Are you not paid double rates for public holidays,

 

if you want holidays though, go into teaching

[salparadise]

No, they can't make you work. However, they can replace you with someone who is more than willing, and will do so with a smile.

 

Likewise, you have the option to replace them –– quit and get a new job where they don't expect you to work on holidays.

 

Being a disgruntled employee is always a losing game. If you don't have the supply/demand factor on your side, giving you the ability to negotiate the terms you want, you're far better off going with the flow while looking for new work than to express your dissatisfaction outwardly.

 

What about "your employees" that also work the holidays –– are they on the edge of revolution too? There is such a thing as collective bargaining so that the group has more power, but that can be tricky to organize if it's not already in place.

[d0nnivain]

Private companies can Chose to be open 7 days per week / 365 days per year. They pay employees to be available on their schedule. You have no say in the matter other than to work somewhere else or take a vacation day. You are not the person who makes the decision about when the company is open or what the schedule is. If you want that option, open your own company & be self-employed. Until you own the company, sorry but suck it up, buttercup.

Edited August 9, 2019 by d0nnivain

[BaileyB]

We never have to work holidays, but if we did it’s in our contract that we would be paid double time. Do you receive extra pay for coming in to work on a holiday?

[anika99]

Check what the labour laws are where you live. Where I live if an employee works a holiday they must be paid time and a 1/2 or be given a different day off with pay in lieu of the holiday. My company actually pays triple time or they pay double time plus give another day off with pay. They have no problem getting employees to volunteer to work a holiday.

[Rockdad]

When you applied for the job was it clear to you that there were holidays you may be required to work?

[preraph]

I've nearly always worked holidays. If you don't like the rules, get another job and ask during interview if you'll have to work holidays. If they say yes, turn the job down.

 

Places are open on holidays. Someone has to work. The highest ranking guy gets to pass that on down the chain. Way of the world. My friend has to work every NY Day doing inventory. Ugh.

[mrs rubble]

I'm on a 24/7 contract, so need to be available to work whenever I'm asked to. However the public holidays are shared around, no one is expected to do them all. I think you should ask the bosses to start sharing them around, it seems unfair to me that others shouldn't take turns in doing them.

[The Outlaw]

No, because some people just don't care, it's their way or the highway. As said, you can take it up with his own supervisor and see where to go from there.

[Mr. Lucky]

I think you should ask the bosses to start sharing them around, it seems unfair to me that others shouldn't take turns in doing them.

 

Without some clarification from the OP, hard to know. The existing employees may have covered every holiday for years and feel it's now the turn of the less senior staff.

 

An old school approach would have the OP work them without complaint until he/she develops enough clout and tenure to do otherwise...

 

Mr. Lucky