A new report has found that many companies are not compensating their employees for working on bank holidays over Christmas.
The research has found that three per cent of employees will be working on Christmas Day – amounting to over one million people*.
However, the survey of 2,000 British workers reveals that almost one-fifth (18 per cent) of those employees that have to work on Christmas Day will only get their normal rate of pay. For others, rates vary – 8 per cent say they will receive time and a quarter; 20 per cent will get time and a half; 35 per cent will get double pay; and 10 per cent will receive triple pay for working on 25 December.
The findings also reveal that 39 per cent of employees who do not work over the festive period say that they would only work at Christmas if they received triple pay.
In addition, 50 per cent of employees working on Christmas Day said they don’t get a choice. In fact, 24 per cent of employees said the Christmas rota at their place of work is unfair and 16 per cent of those rostered to work on Christmas Day said they only got two weeks’ notice. Those most likely to work this coming Christmas Day include: health professionals, chefs, waiters and bar staff, care workers, security guards and, of course, clergy.
Those in the North East of England are most likely to get paid triple time with 28 per cent of employees receiving this wage for working on Christmas Day. Northern Ireland workers are the most likely to be paid their normal rate.
Bradley Post, managing director of RIFT tax refunds, said,
Christmas is a time for families and loved ones to meet and celebrate, however, we need to also pay tribute to those hard workers who keep the country running over the Christmas period. Our research suggests that employees might not have a choice in working Christmas and where possible, I would like to see employers giving their staff some form of reward.
* Research by RIFT Tax Refunds
Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
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