So our manager gets to be off on Christmas day but the rest of us have to work, and I also have to stand in for him. Am I overreacting to think that this is just unfair? It's unfair to begin with that we don't get one day off for a special occasion, and now it's supposed to be normal that only people in the lower rungs of the ladder need to deal with it? How is it in your workplace?

Before taking a General Manager I worked every weekend and holiday for 14 years. Now I take my holidays off and go in on busy weekends. I feel I have put it the work so it’s my time to reap the benefits. Once the staff puts in work and obtains a position that offers these perks they will feel the same way.

That's just the way things always go. People in the higher positions figure they put their time in working holidays and whenever else over the years. So it's time for someone else to do it. From their perspective it probably seems fair. We're not open on Christmas, but I'll be there the night before. Hoping that won't be too hectic.

I dislike when people say “well that’s life”. I totally understand your frustration and the situation is unfair. I would definitely address it if possible. I’m sorry that you have to work on Christmas.

From my view, as someone who only started managing 6 months ago,
I regularly work 6 days a week, covering illness covering holiday requests covering busy days where someone calls for help when I wasn’t supposed to be in, I work from home doing rotas and replying to time off requests & placing orders etc. So, as long as the manager has been doing all of this I do think they should get Christmas Day off. Think of all the hours worked overtime unpaid by a manager, they should be able to claim that back to see their family for the holidays that doesn’t make them evil. But, with that said, in our job we have a deal where you must work half of the holidays so Xmas Eve, (shut xmas day), Boxing Day and NYE AND NYD. Each person works at least half of these days. This way there’s no debate on fairness because everyone is pulling their weight. Being manager doesn’t mean they must do it all, I have staff who have 0 responsibilities on £1 less an hour, and they can be sent home early. As the keyholder, I must be in open-close, and then bring that work stress home with me too. Try to see the manager as a human and not just a boss.

i would hate that also. but also, life is not fair so it's better to get over it and find ways to improve your situation. find a better paying job with good benefits and unlimited PTOs. Learn new skills and look into other opportunities so this time next year you arent in the same situation.

You know I can see your point, however, there ought to be some reward for getting the Manager position, as most of the time it is not always easy. I remember working a lot as the underling and working the holidays while management got off. I also have noticed over the years everyone thinks they should get high pay for an entry level position, all the same benefits as there management team, and yet work less and complain more. Am I fitting everyone in this same scenario no, but there are a lot of whiners out in the work force.

I saw in my work place the same thing , managers are the most unfair people in the workplaces.

Managers are ppl just like you and they deserve holidays off also. When you become a manager, you don’t sign your life away. Don’t know the policy from where you are working, but managers at least get one major holiday off, from my experience. Unless this person took every major holiday off, it’s not really that big of a deal. Just remember when you are off on a holiday, someone has to cover for you too. I am always cognizant of that…

Retail has become so Toxic 42 years in management .Customers are very abusive now and entitled .Companies want you to to have fewest workers as possible and try to hit sales goals .Stresses employees out and customers are upset because they are not enough people to assist them .Very close to retirement cant wait !!!

Is there a chance he took it off & gave the others hefty overtime, to help their finances?

That is unfortunate. You should definitely take holiday holidays off preplanned at least a month or two months in advance so they can’t say no.