Irish bar staff in New York afraid to go home for Christmas -- fear of losing their jobs

nicgearailt (Nic Ghearailt?): I agree that workers "should be loyal to people who give you a job", but I think that employers try to accommodate thier loyal workers who truly believe in the real meaning of Christmas by allowing then sufficient time to properly celebrate the most important day in the Christian calendar. Nollaig aoibhinn daoibh go léir.

Next up-Reindeer in uproar as Santa refuses their request for leave on Christmas Eve.

Having spent many many Christmas Day away from home .it is appropriate to request staff to be available for work over Christmas.You should be loyal to the people who give you a job.I am certain they can enjoy New York,and would likely be invited to the homes of customers for Christmas Day. I would look at Christmas as a movable feast.You cannot have it both ways. I think you cannot allow yourself to be affected by that reality.Just think of the person who gives you the job,and if you are illegally in the country,all the more reason. The Irish need to be a little more pragmatic in their thinking...do a little giving..do not always be a taker...the world will treat you better...

What a non-story. Not even worth the space it took.

There are many places of employment that require employees to work on holidays such as Christmas and New Year's Day (as I did for many year as a New York civil servent). In any case, I never felt any great desire to spend Christmas in Ireland since I came here as a teenager over a half century ago. The most Christmas-like Christmas I ever experienced was as L/Cpl. at Camp Lejune in the early 6os. There were Christmas decorations and créches all over the base.