For those who have to work Thanksgiving

Well up until 5 years ago I have worked in the hospitality industry (hotels) for the vast majority of my life and they are open 365 days a year 24 hours a day. Not only did I typically have to work every holiday but generally had to pull double shifts. Having to work on a holiday is a bit depressing, but it beats the heck out of being unemployed. Really, do you have to wait for a Holiday to tell your Family and Friends that you love them? or to spend time with them? Most jobs give you a day or two off every single week, take one of those days and spend it celebrating your family and friends and when that holiday comes around it won't seem nearly as important; why do once a year what you can do once a week?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ah very much a realist. While I understand where you're coming from, I think that the memories made of an entire extended family all gathering at my Grandmothers house a few times a year are the greatest. While she did have a big dinner every Sunday, only some of the family could attend some of the time. This I think is the biggest difference between every week and big holidays.

I think the entire family gathering for the holidays is damn near a thing of the past. Either people can't afford to go to where the bulk of the family is, or they already are there all living under one roof. Tough economics and rising inflation has simply eliminated a lot of the things that we may have taken for granted as kids. I have seen post after post about people having to go to two or three Thanksgiving meals for "his" family or "her" family, it use to be one dinner for all of "our" family. Even divorced parents would put aside their personal difference to enjoy the solidarity of a family gathering. That simply does not seem to be the case anymore, and it saddens me a bit.

I'll be working but I chose it because not much going on that day and Turkey dinner will be later and I am done by 3pm...so, Holiday pay...yay!!!

I'm working Thanksgiving.

and Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, and New Years Day.

I have worked in a restaurant in a casino for years so I have to work every holiday except for Christmas because I have seniority. I really believe that it doesn't matter what "day" the holiday comes on as long as you get to spend some time during the holiday season with the ones you love. Right now, I feel blessed just to have a job and be able to buy things for my kids this year. Most people can't even say that.

Consider it part of a growing up process and then get some skills to get out of the lowest paying jobs and into holidays off.

Not all of us are uneducated/unskilled people...we work in a field that needs our skills to provide crucial services to the public.

God I hope not - I'd hate the think the Doctors at the hospitals, pilots flying the airplanes, Firemen fighting fires, etc,.. etc. who are working on the holidays are completely uneducated. Some people obviously have years of education and still have jobs that require holiday work.

I used to work for the airline. Worst Christmas Eve ever - sitting in a jetway waiting for a flight on the cell phone w/my child both of us crying. It can be tough working the holidays. I work for the gov't now - holidays off - one of the best perks of the job.

at first I was scheduled off on Thanksgiving .. but then they changed it ..
now I am working 2:30pm - 11:30 pm Thursday then go back Friday 5am - 2pm
I am a cashier at walmart .. so I have no choice

Thought that legally there had to be 8 hours in between a close-open shift??? Sorry! Hope no one gets trampled this year!

I work at a pharmacy, and the only day we're allowed to close is Christmas day. I'm working Thanksgiving, and I can't say I mind it. We have shortened shifts, so no one person works all day, and to be honest, it's just really hard to say no to time and a half. It'll give my next check a nice little boost, just in time for Christmas shopping.

I volunteer to work every single holiday.

Why?

I'm single. I have no children. I take the time so I get paid time and a half, and so those who HAVE families can spend the holiday with those families.

To me the holidays are just another day. Nothing special at all to them. So why shouldn't I take that shift?

It doesn't really suck. I don't mind at all.

Thank you to the people who keep things running over the holiday, especially those of you providing emergency services!

I don't work anymore by choice but I did work at Walmart like 5 years ago just for the x-mas season to earn a little extra money for presents. I was in electronics during black Friday... Holy moly that was amusing.

I agree. Thank you to all the police, firemen and people in the medical field!! Also Happy Thanksgiving to all of our armed forces who cant make it home!!