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Christmas Holidays, Federal Employees, Atheists and Lawsuits

Saves Money

Tomato Grower
Oaklandon Road
Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:20 AM

Post Reply

The logic behind this is an economic one. It costs money to shut down on Wednesday evening, start up on Friday morning, and shut down again on Friday evening. I wonder how much it saves the govt?
I know it costs me money to shut the greenhouse on Wednesday evening and restart on Friday.

Re: Saves Money

Program Analyst
OPM
Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:56 AM
Yes, but do you have 2,000,000 employees who will be paid to stay home the extra day? Believe me, it would be wonderful to have the long weekend. But I do agree it would be inappropriate when others are losing their jobs, suffering economic woes and may not have a Christmas or be able to provide one for their families. After all we have a 4 day weekend in January. Let's not rub the noses of the unemployed in the fact we are Federal employees.

Re: Saves Money

worker bee
any
Tue Dec 9, 2008 10:20 AM
Program Analyst - You may have a four day weekend in January, but those of us who work somewhere other than DC will be working on Inauguration day. Don 't use that as a reason to think Dec 26 is inappropriate.

Re: Saves Money

Reformed Conservative
DFAS
Tue Dec 9, 2008 10:30 AM
Program Analyst--what 4-day weekend in January? There are 2 3-day weekends that month, but I didn't know about the 4-day one. When is it?

Re: Saves Money

ER Spc
IRS
Tue Dec 9, 2008 11:29 AM
But applying the economy-of-savings argument just begs the following question: why not shut down the day after Thanksgiving every year?

Re: Saves Money

Specialist
Federal Agency
Tue Dec 9, 2008 12:08 PM
The 4 day weekend in January only relates to the folks in the DC Metro Area. Due to Inauguration Day falling the day after MLK Birthday holiday, the DC Area Feds have a 4 day weekend.

Re: Saves Money

Analyst
DOD
Tue Dec 9, 2008 1:08 PM
Okay Program Analyst OPM, you go ahead and injoy that "extra" day off paid for with tax dollars for the Inauguration. Don't even try and say if we do actually get the 26th off you will trott right off to work.

Re: Saves Money

HR Specialist
Small agency
Tue Dec 9, 2008 1:38 PM
to worker bee: gee, sorry that you only have 2 3-day weekends in Jan and don't get inauguration day off. That is completely unfair considering that so many in the private sector get all the time off they want because they are unemployed....

Fed employees have a very good life--across the country. Can't we please just acknowledge that??

Re: Saves Money

Supervisory Survey Statistician
Commerce
Tue Dec 9, 2008 1:53 PM
There are only 1.8 million federal employees (source: BLS.gov). It's really important to get facts straight if we want to have an honest discussion. Exxageration invalidates our points.

Re: Saves Money

Diversity Manager
DOL
Tue Dec 9, 2008 7:47 PM
Why not shut the gov't 2 weeks each month?? based on productivity nothing will be missed and we can reduce payroll costs by paying CS 50% of what they currently receive.
better still the buildings could then be shared and reduce the Fed footprint allowing states and cities to be able to get tax revenue off the vacated buildings

Re: Saves Money

Reformed Conservative
DFAS
Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:02 AM
Hello Statistician,

Do you also, by any chance, have any stats on the current size of the contractor shadow workforce?

Re: Saves Money

worker
us govt
Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:03 AM
DOL DM,

Speak for yourself, your dept. may have low productivity, but don't put that on everyone else.

Also, please educate me. What exactly is a diversity manager ? No disrespect intended.

Re: Saves Money

HR Specialist
DOL
Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:47 AM
worker, us govt,

Diversity Manager isn't even a Federal Employee. So he can't speak for his department, because he is retired military. He just posts here to express some sort of apparent hatred he has for all things, Civil Service.

As for the original question, I am a spiritual person, rather than religious, and I will be the entire Division if the Government is open for business on the 26th.

As far as "Christ"mas, who cares? I believe there is a God, but the ways we worship are controlled by humans, who are imperfect. Therefore, I'm not sure which, if any, of the ways humans worship is correct. In any event, God is probably above those considerations and looks into our hearts. It is our intent in worship that is probably more important, rather than the process.

Now, I have probably offended everyone.

Re: Saves Money

Diversity Manager
DOL
Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:29 PM
HR Specialist,

I am not retired. I was asked not to re-enlist because of my choice of life partners. I have gone thru the Exodus International program and I am cured

Re: Saves Money

HR Specialist
DOL
Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:02 PM
Diversity Manager,

You never miss an opportunity to insult people you don't like, do you? Even if it means saying yet another untruth. After all, elsewhere on this board you have said that you were retired.

Re: Saves Money

Budget Analyst
Defense Agency
Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:23 PM
DOL DIM,

If I read what you are saying correctly, you were not allowed to stay in the military because you were in a gay relationship. I really respect you comming out of of the closet.

Re: Saves Money

Diversity Manager
DOL
Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:15 PM
For some reason I attract a lot of wannabees posting as me. I consider it flattery.
Worker you asked what i am I'm a Federal worker can't you tell

Re: Saves Money

worker
us govt
Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:34 AM
DOL DM,

I asked you to educate me on what the job duties of a diversity manager. You opted not to answer the question, instead you were flip. I work on electronic systems used for ground radar and communications.
If I miss 1 task out of 10000 I am reprimanded. So I make every effort to complete my assigned tasks timely and correctly.
Now, what does a diversity manager do?

practical

investigator
FISD
Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:41 AM

Post Reply

the number of ppl coming to work versus not coming is drastic. in our office, i would say 80% already requested off and thats not counting the call-offs.

Christmas Holidays, Federal Employees, Atheists an

Project Manager
HUD
Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:45 AM

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Give me a break!!!!!! The non-Christians that I have seen are just as eager for Christmas - and any other Christian holiday - co arrive as anyone else.

These whinners need to get a life and realize that this great country was founded largely by christians. Ergo, christian holidays. If you don't like it, go find some country and build it up as you like.

Re: Christmas Holidays, Federal Employees, Atheists an

worker
Dod
Tue Dec 9, 2008 11:09 AM
The Constitution was written by PUBLIC Christians and was intentionally written as a SECULAR document. The writers intentionally excluded any diety from the document as evidenced by the Federalist Papers which states the intent of the writers. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamine Franklin, Thomas Pain and most of the Leaders of the revolution and writers of the constitution professed publically to be Christians for political purposes but private published letters indicate that they were Diests and did not believe in a personal God. They beleived that Christianity was good to keep the common man under control. They didn't trust the ignorant masses which is why the created a REPRESENTative government. They would believe they did the right thing after they read your common man ignorant statement.

Re: Christmas Holidays, Federal Employees, Atheists an

Prof
Small College
Tue Dec 9, 2008 6:29 PM
DoD Worker. The founders did not trust the ignorant masses. Are you saying federal employees were already on board. Pity.

Re: Christmas Holidays, Federal Employees, Atheists an

Retired DOD
Aruba
Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:22 PM
Actually, deists do believe in God, not just all the trappings that go along with it.

Establishment Clause

HR Specialist
DoD
Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:46 AM

Post Reply

Isn't it odd that a clause in the Constitution designed to prevent there being an American version of the official Church of England--so that there would be MORE religious freedom--has been sometimes taken as warrant to attempt to RESTRICT religious practices.

Many, perhaps even most, celebrate Christmas for secular reasons: but the lurking fear that somebody somewhere might actually be celebrating the birth of Christ strikes terror into the hearts of some...and so we have Christmas litigation each year.

(Note: in consideration of the gentle reader, I have not even discussed the "mas" part of "Christmas"--I don't want to trigger any anti-Catholic riots over popish plots.)

Christmas Holiday

ER Specialist
Forest Service
Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:51 AM

Post Reply

One of the reasons I came to work for the Government versus private industry was for the benefits of leave and holidays and the security of long term employment. Yes, I could have made a lot more money elsewhere but money is not all that it portends to be. I like continuing to serve my country with the opportunity to spend time with my family. I too am looking to see if our President will grant us the day off for Dec 26. But to be sure I have already requested that day off with annual leave. But let's be clear, this is not a religious holiday. If President Bush authorizes the day off it is a gift he is authorized to present. About the economy being bad...it always is post presidential elections. We have just been bombarded how bad it is by the candidates so they can make the claim their election will make it better. The business leaders are readying themselves for the new term. Wait a few months and our TSP values will skyrocket again with prosperous times...It always does.

Re: Christmas Holiday

H.R. Specialist
VA
Tue Dec 9, 2008 1:18 PM
I agree. Like it or not, "Christmas" is a federal holiday (in addition to what it might be to those Americans who are also of the Christian faith). Giving another day off is only adding another holiday.

By the way, didn't we have this same discussion ad nauseum a couple years back?

Re: Christmas Holiday

Manager
IRS
Tue Dec 9, 2008 5:37 PM
From your mouth to God's ears!

Solution to Article

Manager
DHS
Tue Dec 9, 2008 9:53 AM

Post Reply

Atheist, to show their solidarity and commitment to their non-faith should have the option to work that day, should they feel compelled not to be transient to their non-faith or hypocritical in any way. The rest of us devout or bi-annual church attainders can simply take the day off and be thankful we have the rights and ability to honor the same God that our founding fathers worshiped when building our country and committing our rights to writing - “Freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.” I would also like a Jewish day off to celebrate also and any other day that recognizes our Judeo-Christian faith practiced by our founders.

Re: Solution to Article

PM
USAF
Tue Dec 9, 2008 10:13 AM
Actually freedom of religion is also freedom from religion. If you're free to be a muslin you're free not to be a christian. If you're free to be a jew you're free not to be a muslin. If you're free to be part of any religion you're free not to partake in any religion.

Re: Solution to Article

Sr. Staff
Energy
Tue Dec 9, 2008 11:49 AM
To: PM USAF

It is "Muslim", not Muslin.

'Muslin', a.k.a. Mosul, Iraq, is the city after which the fabric is named.

Re: Solution to Article

Budget Analyst
DoD
Tue Dec 9, 2008 12:42 PM
DHS,

Suppose that I was a Racist. Do you think the the Federal Government should make special provisions for me to Work on Martin Luther King day and take off on Nathan Bedford Forrest's Birth Day.

If you don't want to celebrate Christmas, enjoy the day off

President giving a day off at year end

Program & Management Assistant
U. S. Navy
Tue Dec 9, 2008 10:04 AM

Post Reply

Do you mean someone is stupid enough to complain about getting a day off? I never thought of this as an adjunct to Christmas, it was just an award that was given at the end of the year by the President to all the folks that work for him.

Where I work you are lucky to get anything extra and that day off is greatly appreciated (Christian or no). And like the Tomato Grower said it costs money to start up and shut down for one day. It's nice to get a 4 day weekend when you've spent all year participating in protecting your country.

Re: President giving a day off at year end

Diversity Manager
DOL
Tue Dec 9, 2008 7:56 PM
An award for what?? The taxpayers don't believe you deserve an award. Write a poem and maybe you can win a major award just like the the movie "the Christmas story". You can display it in your front window
Total Comments: 154
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