The
majority of firms will be closing for three days this Christmas and New Year,
but there is evidence that longer shutdowns are becoming less common, according
to a study by Industrial Relations Services.
The
survey of 156 organisations with well-established arrangements for Christmas
closing, shows that 79 per cent of employers will be closed on Christmas Day
2002. Three-quarters will also shut up shop for Boxing Day. More than 70 per
cent of companies in England and Wales will also close for New Year’s Eve.
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These
figures are slightly down on 2000, when 90 per cent of organisations reported
they would be shutting for Christmas and New Year. However, in the sample a
higher proportion of firms in the utilities sector work round the clock. The 31
public sector respondents also contain a higher percentage of essential
services than the previous survey. www.irsemploymentreview.com
