New Year in our country is truly a long-awaited holiday. He portends an active long vacation, excellent cuisine, the opportunity to go on a trip for ten days, forgetting about everyday problems. During this period, the whole country lives an almost unreal, even fabulous life. And on the eve of the New Year, Russians traditionally are in a sweet expectation of miracles. Weekends usually begin on January 1, continuing right through to Christmas. But what about December 31, should it be considered holiday or workers?
Holiday fuss
Preparations for celebrations usually begin long before the New Year. Since the end of September, many have been thinking through the various nuances of the holiday. In the languid expectation of a significant day, they prepare gifts for relatives and colleagues, trying to impress them with something unusual. Russians buy tickets for Christmas trees for children, plan contests and quizzes, order Santa Clauses and Snow Maidens so that kids continue to believe in miracles, and adults do not forget that they do happen in life, although most often they have to be created with their own hands.
In the last weeks of the outgoing year, a festive table is of particular interest to everyone. Mistresses learn new recipes and remember traditional dishes to please family members and guests. Most Russians prefer to stock up on products in advance. The final stage of preparation takes place on the eve or on the working day of December 31, unfortunately it is not a holiday in Russia. But there is always a reason to congratulate colleagues and colleagues, rejoicing along with them the New Year. However, everyone’s mood is already inactive, so I want to stay home that day and devote myself to pleasant preparation and chores!
There are happy coincidences.
But exceptions, fortunately, happen, and on the last day of the outgoing year there is sometimes a chance to relax. It all depends on whether December 31 will be a day off, that is, whether it falls on the calendar in this particular year on Saturday or Sunday. The outgoing 2017 is a vivid confirmation of this. It gives an opportunity, without fuss and daily hassle, to prepare for the holiday for those who work on a schedule five or six days a week. The last day of 2017 is Sunday, so there is no point in asking the question: "Is December 31 an official holiday or a working day?" The final month of the old year gave workers ten days off. Exactly the same number of Russians have to rest in a row on New Year's holidays. And only January 9th will be the first working day expected with impatience of 2018.
When will this happen again?
Whether December 31 is holiday or work, the calendar may tell. Next time Sunday this day will be only in 2023, and in the preceding 2022, Saturday will be the last day, which for the majority may turn out to be a pleasant surprise. Next Sunday, the New Year’s eve will only be in 2028. The indicated year will be a leap year, for this reason there will be a shift, because the preceding 2027 will end on Friday. On Saturday, this day after 2022 will fall soon. Such a coincidence will happen only in 2033, and on the next 2034th Sunday will again be the last day.
Who works on miracle night?
It is clear that many professions are important and irreplaceable so much that their representatives simply can not suspend their activities, so the holiday or working day of December 31 is not important for them. They are always at their post. Such heroes of labor include, first of all, doctors, police, security guards and rescuers of the Ministry of Emergencies. They have to ensure peace of mind and protect the health of people on the pre-holiday day and New Year's Eve. The same applies to drivers of vehicles and catering workers, as well as employees of enterprises and institutions who are not able to suspend their activities. And, of course, sellers of stores will work, whose revenue on December 31 on a holiday or working day, as you know, is invariably fantastically high.
Labor Labor Code
Work on the weekend is prohibited and should take place only in exceptional cases. This provision is enshrined in the Labor Code. In addition, coming to work on weekends and holidays is possible only with the consent of the employee or in situations where the further work of the company really depends on it, that is, in force majeure and emergency circumstances.
In this regard, whether, according to the law, December 31 is a holiday or a working day, it is considered a matter of principle, because an employee who is deprived of rest on this day has every right to rely on compensation. It can be provided as an extra day off. But in this situation, the employee loses the chance of an additional payment. Otherwise, the employee is entitled to monetary compensation. Thus, whether December 31 is a holiday or a worker, this fact is of decisive importance for payroll, since work on a day off must be paid in double amount.
From the history of the holiday
Until 1700, the New Year in Russia was not celebrated at all in January. His celebration took place in March. And only with the onset of spring and the arrival of heat was the start of the countdown of the first day in the coming year given.
This situation changed only with the accession to the throne of Peter I. And our favorite holiday began to be celebrated, as now, on January 1. True, the celebrations were held according to the Julian calendar or, as it is now customary to express themselves, according to the old style. Therefore, in 1700, the holiday came 10 days later than in Europe, because it was precisely in those days that the Russian calendar was so late compared to the Gregorian one. This chronology was introduced in our country only after the revolution (in 1918) by decree of the new government. Modern Russians owe this event their other widely celebrated and traditional holiday called “Old New Year”, which comes 13 days later, but is no longer considered a day off.
New Years celebration over the past 100 years
From 1929 to 1935 In Russia, it was not customary to celebrate New Year’s dates at all. Moreover, the holiday was among the banned, as many associated with Orthodox Christmas. But soon the prohibitions were over, and the brightly decorated Christmas tree again became the children's favorite entertainment. Was December 31 festive or working? In those days, not only the eve of the holiday, but also January 1 were considered the most ordinary days, which only in 1947 were officially declared days off. But January 2 was considered a working day. This situation changed only in 1992.
Since then, the number of holidays (winter holidays, as they are now commonly called) has increased significantly. Since 2005, the New Year festivities were extended until January 5, and taking into account Christmas celebrations, they amounted to 10 days. True, in 2013, vacations slightly decreased and usually continue now until January 8th.