Christmas Eve plays a significant role in countless lives across country and the world. Christmastime, as a whole, is a special time of the year when we reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future. The holiday eve also serves as the prelude to the ringing in of the New Year. Offering people time to spend with friends and family (and make any last-minute preparations for Christmas Day) is a gift that our national employment regulations should rise to provide.

The truth is, in our current reality, this is not the case for everyone. Significant numbers of employees are working on Christmas Eve without extra compensation or time-off, keeping them away from their loved ones. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly a quarter of all U.S. employees receive no paid holidays (BLS, 2020).

Let's advocate for a change that reverberates with the spirit of Christmas, embracing time spent with loved ones, reflecting, and preparing for Christmas Day as a national imperative. This policy change would align our country with others like Germany and Austria, where Christmas Eve is recognized as a public holiday (Centre for Public Impact, 2019).

With this petition, we call on our lawmakers and employers, both public and private sector, to recognize Christmas Eve as a paid national holiday. Let us ensure that this significant day be granted the importance it deserves and enable individuals and families across our nation to honor Christmas Eve fully. Please sign this petition and contribute to bringing about this essential change.