There used to be a time in every teen’s life when he or she actually looked forward to the holiday season. After all, it is the “most wonderful time of the year,” full of food, family and great memories that will last forever. But now, as teenagers start to acquire jobs, they are finding it increasingly difficult to get time off to celebrate these holidays.
Certain companies stay open during holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas, and require their employees to come in and work instead of giving them the day off. The whole purpose of a holiday is to relax and spend time surrounded by the ones you love, instead of being separated from them. With some teens planning on leaving for college soon, they’re going to want to enjoy this time with their families while they have it.
“I have to work during Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, Halloween and Christmas Eve, all days where I’d rather be spending time with my family,” said sophomore Lyndsay Ausburn, an employee at 4 Rivers Smokehouse.
However disappointing it may be, the work is undoubtedly necessary. With the increased commercialization of holidays involving the mass production and distribution of decorations, clothing and food, businesses need all the help they can get from their employees during this prime business season. People have most likely already noticed the Christmas decorations that have been for sale since the beginning of November. With different companies already pushing accelerated sales through the holidays, teens are getting more and longer hours.
For those teens hoping for a miracle this year, they might just have to keep hoping. Businesses remain open for one obvious reason: money.
In the few months between October and January, there are four of the biggest holidays of the year, including Black Friday, and it is during this time that most profits are made. If employees are not working, that means stores are closed and companies lose these profits. Holiday work may seem unavoidable, but some workers are finding that their bosses are more lenient around the holidays.
“It usually depends on what my manager wants to do, but he has to let me know two weeks in advance so they can’t just call me in,” said sophomore Troy Catmull, an employee at Bahama Buck’s. “I still have to work on some holidays, but my shifts are usually shorter during these days.”
The holiday season presents an unfair work schedule for teens, and should be revised. While some companies, such as Publix, do give time off on major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, unfortunately not all do.
BY: Joey Menendez / Sports Print Editor
