I once sent an email to other people at work which said to enjoy christmas and forget about work for one day and think about your family and loved ones.
It was the Christmas of 2001, a year that saw the most devastating terrorist attack in history. Approx 3000 people died on 9/11.
I felt that maybe we should just slow down a bit and reflect where we are at, and what is important to us.
My message wished everyone a good Christmas and a happy New Year.
Shortly after sending it I recieved a phone call from my Regional Manager. Apparently, one of the directors didn't think it was appropriate. Not inappropriate use of works email system, it was afterall a personal email on work time... so that was fair enough! But I was reprimanded for suggesting that people should not think about work on Christmas Day, but be thinking about their families.
Now If I can clarify abit. I was working for a major cinema chain, we closed only on Christmas day. Usually,Boxing was hell on earth, as children are sent full of sugar to the cinema to get from under their parents feet.
It was a just a christmas message... the regional manager understood this, he was just doing what his boss told him to. Also, this was not reflection on the cinema chain which was for the most part a good place to work. It was a reflection on the director who apparently thought that work was the only thing his employees had in their lives.
Its a times like that you know you should just walk away and sigh.
Moving on several years. I believe Christmas is the one time of year the all business should stop. People should be with their fanilies and friends. Its not a religious thing, its just a people thing. We are all spending too long working and not just relaxing, is there any need to work on Christmas Day & Boxing Day... no, people do. I know people who rush out to get to the Boxing day sales. Why not just sit on the sofa, with glass of wine and turkey sandwich. watch a crap film on TV and watching the kids play with their toys, or if you're like me let the kids watch you play with their toys?
But life isn't really that simple... but maybe we could just try...
