With the holiday season just around the corner, we're unwrapping the data to reveal which professions get the most and least time off during Christmas. Analysing data from the Official National Statistics, we’ve discovered a wide variety of trends within the working world, with our findings offering a snapshot of how different industries navigate the festive break.
Festive Perks: MPs Lead the Way with 19 Days Off
It may come as no surprise that topping the list for the most generous festive time off are Members of Parliament (MPs), basking in a luxurious 19-day holiday break. And it's not just the time off; MPs also claim the top spot for earning the most, with an average salary of £74,000. Teachers and pilots follow suit, enjoying 14 and 12 days off, respectively. Our rankings are based on average annual leave and industry salaries, with data comparisons spanning five years to spot the trends.
Take a look at the full list below, highlighting a range of industries including healthcare, property, and transport.
Profession | Sector | Total Holidays (annual) | Avg Salary | Avg time off at Christmas (days) |
MP | Government | 80 days | £74,000 | 19 |
Teacher | Education | 65 days | £32,157 | 14 |
Pilot | Transport | 42 days | £86,432 | 12 |
Marketing Professional | Marketing | 28 days | £38,841 | 10 |
Construction Worker | Building Services | 28 days | £31,207 | 10 |
Cleaner | Home Service | 28 days | £23,029 | 10 |
Lawyer | Law | 28 days | £68,700 | 8 |
Pharmacist | Healthcare | 28 days | £49,240 | 8 |
Train Driver | Transport | 35 days | £48,500 | 8 |
Banker | Financial Services | 34 days | £37,807 | 8 |
Accountant | Financial Services | 28 days | £35,322 | 8 |
Bus Driver | Transport | 25 days | £33,784 | 8 |
Journalist | Media | 28 days | £32,833 | 8 |
Butcher | Food | 28 days | £26,092 | 8 |
Barber / Hairdresser | Beauty | 28 days | £25,386 | 8 |
Estate Agent | Property | 28 days | £24,685 | 8 |
These lengthy festive breaks for MPs, teachers, and pilots stem from a combination of factors, including the nature of their work and specific policies. MPs' recesses allow them to focus on constituency duties and recharge, while teachers' school holidays provide a well-deserved break from their demanding schedules. Pilots' extended breaks are required by safety regulations to ensure their cognitive and physical fitness.
Jobs that involve hands-on work, like construction workers and cleaners, have something in common besides the physical effort they put in. Come Christmas, both professions usually relish a substantial 10-day break.
Examining the data further, we can see a distinct pattern emerge. The norm for Christmas breaks is 8 days across industries like food, media, property, transport, and beauty. Interestingly, many of these sectors also share a commonality in offering 28 days of annual leave. This reflects a consistent approach to both Christmas breaks and overall leave entitlement, and aligns with government standards for full-time employment.
Holiday Hustle: Industries with The Least Festive Breaks
Profession | Sector | Total Holidays (annual) | Avg Salary | Avg time off at Christmas (days) |
Bouncer | Security | 29 days | £29,418 | 6 |
Waiting Staff | Hospitality | 30 days | £27,972 | 6 |
Bartender | Hospitality | 28 days | £24,552 | 6 |
Paramedic | Healthcare | 28 days | £39,429 | 5 |
Dentist | Healthcare | 27 days | £80,943 | 5 |
Doctor | Healthcare | 30 days | £41,300 | shift work |
Firefighter | Public Safety | 30 days | £29,816 | shift work |
Nurse | Healthcare | 27 days | £33,384 | shift work |
Police | Law Enforcement | 22 days | £39,735 | shift work |
While the festive season is a time for many to unwind and enjoy quality time with loved ones, not all professions afford the same level of generosity. Shift-based roles, such as police, firefighters, nurses, and doctors, typically have the least flexible time off during Christmas. Moreover, professions such as bartenders, waiters, and bouncers were revealed to only have an average of 6 days off during this time. This is likely due to the increased demand for their services during the festive season.
Resting for Success
In the fast-paced world of marketing and PR, it's easy to get caught up in the relentless cycle of deadlines, client demands, and constant connectivity. However, it's crucial to remember the importance of rest and renewal for our team members.
At Lem-uhn, we're committed to creating a work environment that prioritises employee well-being. That's why we've decided to completely shut down our office during the festive season, giving our team members the uninterrupted time they need to truly disconnect and recharge. We believe that a well-rested and rejuvenated team is a more productive and creative team. By providing our employees with the time they need to fully unplug and recharge, we're investing in their well-being and, ultimately, in the success of our agency.