Well, not exactly. The Easter holiday is more commonly known as ‘Spring holiday’ or ‘Spring break’ and while it typically refers to the period between the Christian feast day and the Christian high holiday of Easter Sunday, it can also be used to describe any period of relaxation, leisure or partying that takes place between Christmas and Easter.
The question is: Is this period of leisure a paid holiday for Speedway employees?
The simple answer is: Maybe. It depends on what you mean by ‘paid holiday’ and how you define it.
Paid Holiday Or Engagement Ring Present?
If you think of ‘paid holiday’ as meaning a paid leave of absence from work or school, then the answer is no. Employees are generally not eligible for paid holidays in most states. In some states, there may also be restrictions on the number of days that an employee can take off work. For example, in Oregon, you can be fired for taking a paid holiday if you are within the first year of your employment. Most states have a statutory or a constitutional provision that prevents employers from forcing employees to work during the period leading up to a religious holiday.
This being said, it is generally accepted that employees should be given some degree of latitude in choosing their personal leave. If you are planning to take a holiday with your significant other during this time, then it’s probably best to discuss this with your boss beforehand. Assuming that you and your partner are committed to honoring your relationship, you may want to consider discussing this subject with your employer.
Is It Common For Employees To Take An Unpaid Holiday?
If you think of ‘paid holiday’ as meaning a paid leave of absence from work or school and not necessarily a paid leave of absence, then the answer is yes. Relatively few employees are likely to choose to work during Easter because it is not seen as being beneficial to their career. There are many other holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, where employees can take a break from their regular schedules and engage in recreational activities. Many companies provide their employees with an uneaten food voucher as an incentive to stay home during the holidays. This is sometimes referred to as ‘cost-free food’ or ‘frequent flyer points’.
If you are in a country where the majority of the population is Catholic or of a Christian faith, then Easter may not be a paid holiday, as there are restrictions on the types of activities that you can engage in during this time. If you are in this situation, then it may be best to ask for an extension of your vacation or to take a trip to a different country where there are no restrictions on what you can do.
Is The Period Before Easter A Vacation Or A Sick Leave?
If you think of ‘paid holiday’ as meaning a leave of absence from work or school, but not necessarily a paid leave of absence, then the answer is yes. This is normally referred to as ‘sick leave’ or ‘vacation’ and it is designed to give employees a chance to recharge their batteries and get back on track with their jobs. The problem is that, during this time, you may be performing tasks that are detrimental to your career. For instance, if you are a pharmaceutical sales representative and you took an unpaid holiday after Christmas, then it may put you at risk of losing your job. There are also ethical issues that you need to consider.
If you are within the first year of your employment in a new country, then you may also be at risk of being denied employment if you take an unheated vacation to a country where the winter months are longer than those in your home country. Many countries have very strict immigration policies regarding vacation so double-check with your employer regarding this subject.
When Does Easter Fall?
If you are thinking of ‘paid holiday’ as meaning a period of time where you are not working or in class, then the answer is: It depends on where you are and what time of year it is. In the Northern hemisphere, Easter usually takes place in the spring and falls on a Sunday between March and April. In countries where it is warm all year round (such as the Canary Islands), Easter can be anywhere between the last quarter and the whole month of April.
Although there may not be a whole lot of variation between them, the dates for Easter in the Southern hemisphere are generally between September and October. This is largely due to the fact that in the Southern hemisphere the seasons change in the opposite direction to the Northern one. Between September and October it gets progressively cooler and darker, with occasional frosts and a general feeling of gloom and desolation that makes you wish you could be somewhere else. Between the two, the winter months in the Southern hemisphere are the longest and darkest. A good rule of thumb is to subtract three months from the northern hemisphere, add four months to the southern one.
Just a little bit about the religious significance of Easter: The festival of Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which took place on the morning of April 5, AD 326. It is a Christian holiday that falls 40 days after the Jewish Passover. To most people, Easter just marks the beginning of spring, but for Christians, it is a religious holiday that commemorates their faith. This is why a lot of work and school gets canceled on this day. Restaurants and hotels are definitely not empty on Easter Sunday, as you would think. Lots of people work and eat dinner on this day.
So, is Easter a paid holiday for Speedway?
Probably not, if you want to look at it this way. With the exception of Catholic countries and companies where it is against the law to work on Easter, there are not a lot of opportunities for paid employment during this period. If you are within the first year of your employment with Speedway, then you may want to ask for an extension of your vacation or consider another job option.
More Details Are Available
If you want to learn more, you can check out the article “When Is Easter?” in the archive of our website. This post is a permanent link in case you want to return here at a later point.