Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I have always felt that there are too many public holidays in April and May. Perhaps I’ve had a very difficult year thus far, but it was one of the first times that I actually appreciated that there were quite a few holidays. I don’t think however adding on the election day on 7 May 2014 is particularly helpful, and certainly none of this is good for South Africa’s economy or productivity. It may be that we have too many public holidays, but I also think part of it is that we have too many public holidays all at the same time of the year. I understand that they commemorate special occasions and historic dates, but it would be good if we could look past that, look at the interests of our economy and see where we could move them – in other words, why not a public holiday once a month on a Friday, for example, so that everybody can have at least 12 long weekends a year instead of having an off day in the middle of the week, or having a public holiday in one week on a Tuesday and on a Thursday – it does not really make sense, and it does not give workers the benefit that they would have if it was attached to a weekend and they could then take three days off.
I think it is about being pragmatic and understanding that a special day can really be celebrated on any day – it does not always have to be on the exact historic day and that many people over the years will have forgotten for example what the holiday on 16 December was actually initially about. There are enough religious holidays in April, and I think all the holidays relating to historically important days need to be spread out during the rest of the year. I think most people in any event celebrate having a holiday and not the occasion and perhaps if on the date of the occasion they are not actually on holiday, it might give them more of a chance to discuss with fellow workers the significance of that important day, or read in newspapers about what happened on that day. People who are not going into work on that particular day are most unlikely to pick up a newspaper and actually read anything about that historic occasion and so you might well get more appreciation for the day if people go about their normal lives on that day, talk to friends and listen to and read the news.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Tuesday 13-May-14
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Comments
Joyce said:
on Friday 23-May-14 05:40 PM
I also think it would be better if public holidays were to be attached to weekends
Elektra said:
on Friday 16-May-14 09:48 AM
I personally would have preferred to have the long weekends spread over the year and not all crammed into one month. This provides an opportunity to get a small rest in between hectic work schedules and allows one to recuperate and be more pro-active after a short break. Adding to that not everyone has the funds to go away 3 weekends in a row, by spreading the weekends over the year would allow for people to budget and look forward to getting away every now and again.
This April beginning of May month was also very stringent on work, especially in a field of Law where there are time frames which need to be met etc, there were quite a few delays. so instead of enjoying the long weekends there is a constant worry about if you are going to get all your work complete in time.
I second your opinion to move the dates to a Friday or Monday, making it a long weekend, without having to take off work in order to enjoy the benefit of the public holiday in the middle of a week.
Helen said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 04:33 PM
I will actually choose rather have all these holidays in April then all of them spreading during the year. Feels like this is the break in the middle of the year where we all getting ready for the rest of the year. And od course all schools in South Africa love to extend even more holidays so it becomes more problematic for parents as well.
Sorea said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 04:22 PM
The public holidays are all fun and all, but I have to agree that if you heap them all up at one time it is more disruptive than good. The days that we would be able to spend catching up on administrative work are taken up by public holidays. Everything starts to fall behind.
Maybe having one long weekend a month is not such a bad idea after all. You can at least plan around that one day a month a bit easier than two months where you loose a day or two per week.
Jolene said:
on Wednesday 14-May-14 05:37 PM
I agree with Marzelle, it was fun while it lasted but tough to get back in routine afterwards. But one day every month would be great.
Jade said:
on Wednesday 14-May-14 10:58 AM
I had a love-hate relationship with the public holidays. Wonderful to take a break, catch up on sleep, get errands done but ended up being more stressful trying to get work done in the time we did have.
I do think spreading out the holidays would be great. A long weekend every now and then would be wonderful but I can understand and sympathize with those that have children, and based on their reasoning, perhaps the long breaks in April is better for them.
Simone said:
on Wednesday 14-May-14 10:47 AM
You have raised some good points and I completely agree. Would be great to have one Friday off a month.
Jessica said:
on Wednesday 14-May-14 10:04 AM
I must agree with Juliet, being a mother and working most of the time, you actually enjoy every single holiday or day that you can to spend with your child. As is if you lucky you get 1 and a half hours from Monday to Friday with your child as kids need a routine so bed time is 8pm you get home at 6pm and cook then attend to their needs you don't get quality time with them. So you actually only do get a Saturday and Sunday to be with them so the holidays are awesome to have.
Bianca Els said:
on Wednesday 14-May-14 09:55 AM
I also agree with Juliet, the holidays in April was very nice to catch up some sleep and spending time with your loved ones. Like they say "All work and no play makes Jack a dill boy".
Stephanie said:
on Wednesday 14-May-14 09:09 AM
Who would not mind for a day or two off at work? We all really do need a day off, weekends are way to short. I did use my time spending with my daughter since weekends are so short. But I really have to say my wallet feels the difference, you waste money spending time in the shopping malls. Nobody wants to sit at home and not do anything. It messes up the whole routine and makes me lazy. But I am happy to be back in my routine though.
Kaylee said:
on Wednesday 14-May-14 08:38 AM
I think there were far too many Public Holidays, I ended up working most of them anyway, because you just get so far behind on your work, and it becomes impossible to catch up. I wish Public Holidays could be spaced out to one a month, that would be nice.
Marzelle said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 04:05 PM
It was fun while it lasted, now it's back to work and getting into that working routine again
Ashleigh said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 03:04 PM
I agree with Juliet. Having one day a month for a long weekend will not feel like a break away from work or having some quality time with your Children. But I do think Public Holidays in the middle of a week should be moved to a Friday or a Monday though. A public Holiday in the middle seems to be followed by more leave days being taken.
Refilwe said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 02:46 PM
I agree with Juliet. Although i did enjoy the public holidays, I am personally happy that it is over. They strain too much and one starts becoming lazy and then having to get back into the "work mode" again just drags one out. So gone are those days :)
Bianca R said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 01:54 PM
I experienced an extreme amount of strain having to squeeze in a 5 day work week into 4 days and 3 days some weeks in April this year. I found myself working overtime to fit in what I could not get in during the week. With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the time that I spent with my family during those long weekends and short weeks and it was well worth putting in extra time for work.
Melissa said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 01:35 PM
One long weekend is better, because you are better rested after such a weekend as you actually have some time to relax.
david said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 01:32 PM
there are far to many public holidays. i operate on a no work no pay basis, and this time of year is financially crippling.
Sinead said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 11:00 AM
I think I agree with Juliet. One long break in April seems to be better than spreading them out monthly. Even though the idea of a long weekend every month sounds like a good idea, I don't know if it is. It would be nice though...
Angelique said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 10:58 AM
I enjoyed the public holidays as it is 'exam season' and with days off it gave me time to study. However I understand where a director of a company would be coming from rather wanting it one Friday a month. I might also prefer it that way - atleast once a month throughout the year you have a long weekend. The downside to all these public holidays is really the fact that you fall more behind in your work. Not just on your side but if you deal with other companies you will soon realise they also fell behind and you can't do anything but be patient as you are also behind. I would be all for the one Friday a month off! Perhaps there will even be less absenteeism.
Alexis said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 10:46 AM
Public Holidays in my opinion really cause more problems in the end. You do not have the same amount of days to sort out everything = so everything is rushed and more pressure is put on you. These past couple of weeks have been insane
Juliet said:
on Tuesday 13-May-14 09:50 AM
I don't agree about spreading the public holidays out over the months especially when it comes to working parents who have small children/kids in school where these parents are not business owners and only see their kids a few hours a day. The long break in April gives them an opportunity to spend a solid week or so with their children while they also get a break from the stresses of work. Also there are not many people who would be able to afford to fly/drive to a holiday once a month but with the long break in April people plan their annual holiday.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
