Can employees be fired for not working Christmas day? 01-04-2006

Can our company at last minute - well 1 week advance notice - all of a sudden inform all employees that we have to cancel our holiday plans, and for those of us that work Monday thru Friday that over Christmas this year we have to work Christmas weekend or get fired? That is making us work 14 days straight without a day off. Can they fire us for that?

Rita Risser replies:

What scrooges! I think if you contact the local newspaper and TV and tell them you will be fired for not working on Christmas day, the media will have a field day with it and management will back down. And if you're fired for telling the newspaper, that would be a wrongful termination. You could also get together with your co-workers and organize a response. That is protected activity also.

Your state also may prohibit working that many days in a row, so check with the state labor department. And see the next question for more.

Best wishes.

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