samantha

Hello, I have worked in Recreation since 1977. I have worked in state hospitals, LTC, and medical hospitals. I have never, nor have my staff been expected to work on a major holiday. Your dept. should be providing act everyday leading up to the holiday including a Christmas soiree for family, but I would never expect my staff to have to be away from their family on a major holiday. I am sure that you will find that the majority of your residents spent their holidays with their families when they were members of the work force. We are there for their quality of life, but essential staff is there on the holidays and will have interaction with residents. Hopefully a good deal of your residents will be having home visits or family coming in to visit as well. Remember quality of life for your staff as well, or you will be dealing with alot of turnover. Last point, you stated this practice of the dept. being off on major holidays has worked for 25 years at your facility , if it ain't broke....don't fix it! Is there some reason you can't work on the major holidays if you are wanting your dept. present. Who better to represent your dept. than you? Samantha