Millions of people also have to work at Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Depending on the day and time, between 8 and 20 percent of all employees will be “on duty” on the coming holidays, according to a study presented on Thursday by the Economic and Social Science Institute (WSI) of the Hans Böckler Foundation, which is close to the trade union. The proportion of those affected is particularly high in the hospitality industry, trade, transport and logistics as well as in health and social services.
According to the survey, 20 percent of all employees still have to work on the morning of December 24th. The authors of the study emphasize that the rate in 2022 should be somewhat lower than in other years because the 24th falls on a Saturday. In trade and transport, as many as 45 and 33 percent respectively are still employed.
After 2 p.m., when the shop closing law heralds Christmas Eve, the proportion of people who have to work falls to eight percent. This is the lowest level on the holidays. In health and social care, however, the rate is still 22 percent – and remains at this level over the holidays.
On the two days of Christmas, overall employment rates hardly increase after 2pm compared to Christmas Eve. An important exception, however, is the hospitality industry, where, according to the study, around a third of the workforce is in demand for a job.
On the morning of New Year’s Eve, 19 percent of all workers have to work. After 2 p.m., the proportion drops to 10 percent. The rate is again well above average in the hospitality industry, in health and social services, in logistics and in retail. According to the study, 9 percent of those in employment are unable to sleep in on New Year’s Day. (dpa)