Preparing for Christmas entails a lot of planning to ensure offices are not short-staffed or important documents delayed because of the holiday. The season is a busy time of the year, when businesses experience changes to their own operations, from upticks in activity to significant slowdowns due to clients and others taking time off to enjoy the holiday.

Office Closures during Christmas

Many employees ask for time off around Christmas to spend time with their family and friends, go on a holiday, or attend religious services. At the same time, Christmas can pose several unique challenges including increased or decreased demand depending on the nature of the business. The holiday season can also leave offices with fewer staff due to a slow-down from clients, suppliers and other stakeholders. This affects work patterns and schedules in different ways.

Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) are recognised as bank holidays in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For 2016, Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. The substitute day for the holiday is 27 December. Boxing Day on 26 December is also a bank holiday. Bank holidays, including Christmas, do not have to be given as paid lead to employees. There is no legal right for employees to have either Christmas Day or Boxing Day off as paid or unpaid, unless this is stated in an employment contract. Employers can decide to include bank holidays as part of statutory annual holiday leave.