On December 28, 2024, the working status across Russia presents a mix of expectations and realities as multiple organizations prepare their employees for the final stretch before the extended New Year holiday. This Saturday has been officially designated as a working day, following adjustments made to the labor calendar earlier this year.
According to data from the employment service SuperJob, 62% of businesses plan to maintain the full workday for their employees. Reports indicate resistance among employees to this arrangement, as many had hoped for at least some leniency on the last working day of the year. Nevertheless, some companies are more flexible, with 27% allowing shorter hours, and 7% bringing only on-duty staff for the day. Generally, it seems workers across regions from Volgograd to Ivanovo will face their usual workloads as they prepare for the upcoming holidays.
Yaroslav Nilov, head of the State Duma’s labor committee, has voiced concerns over the rigidity on this issue. He urged organizations to reconsider and prioritize employees' mood, especially since many people are anxious for the New Year festivities. “I urge all employers to be very lenient where they can—allowing staff not to come to work, facilitating shorter days, or enabling remote work,” he remarked. His viewpoint reflects widespread sentiment as employees brace themselves for extended breaks beginning December 29 through January 8, marking 11 days off during the New Year holidays.
Despite Nilov’s calls for compassion, the Russian Labor Code does not provide grounds for making December 28th anything but a regular working day, as it is positioned to replace what was previously designated as New Year’s Eve, January 30, which has become non-working. Hence, employees may find it difficult to push back against this policy.
Sources have reported varied practices among companies. While 60% of firms throughout Volgograd indicated adherence to the Labor Code by holding regular hours on the 28th, 24% have opted for shortened shifts. Meanwhile, 9% of employers reported they would only require on-call staff, showcasing some variance and flexibility in approach.
This situation also translates differently by region. For example, about 30% of organizations associated with Kemerovo are following the trend of shorter working days, illustrating broader regional differences. SuperJob’s survey indicates not every company feels the same pressure to maintain stringent policies as the New Year holiday approaches.
Across the nation, the discussions surrounding December 28th serve as both reminders of the challenges faced by employees during the peak end-of-year season and the need for employers to acknowledge human factors involved. Various media outlets also stress the significant break with three holiday days leading up to the new year, which many hope will ease the labor expectations. With the changing of the work calendar, regions have some authority to enact different policies, particularly for public sector employees, indicating the federal system's complexity.
Concerning the longer-term strategy for holiday adjustment, the Ministry of Labor has confirmed the plans for sustained holidays through 2025. Nonetheless, as the workforce navigates its path toward the New Year, the call for adaptability remains at the forefront of discussions surrounding the December 28th workday status. For many employees, the battle for compassion and consideration during the festive period continues, pitting corporate policies against human welfare.
The backdrop of these discussions is the Russian political climate, including anticipated adjustments to come from both governing bodies and industry leaders. Economic and social pressures are at play, and they influence how companies plan to address workplace expectations as 2024 draws to a close. While employers maintain their obligation to work under legal structures, many employees are hoping for leniency to celebrate the holidays fully and without workplace burdens.
