Christmas Day Is No Holiday For Some

EL PASO — Christmas Day is a holiday observed around the world, and it affords a day off for many workers who in turn spend some quality time with friends and family.

But for many people in the service industry, Christmas is just another working day. ABC 7 visited some businesses that were open.Many whoworkat a fast food restaurants, video stores or at area hotels said they had to sacrifice being with loved ones to be on the job.

Some said they were happy to go about their workday knowing ultimately they’d be able to spend time with their families. Others were counting down the minutes until it was time to celebrate the holiday.

“It’s kind oflonely thinking everyone is at home without you,” said Roberta Downer, an employee at the Marriott of El Paso. “You don’t want to be here, so you just do what you can to make the best of it.”

Studies conducted in various locations around the globe have found more workers have found themselves working on the holiday. In England, an estimatedone million people are clocking in for a day’s work, a sharp increase from just a decade ago, according to research conducted by the BBC.

Also always on call are emergency personnel and law enforcement. Overindulgence in alcohol during the holiday season often translates to an increase health and traffic emergencies.

Still, other work is unpaid, asvolunteers prepare and deliver holiday meals to the needy.