What’s Happening to UK Christmas Breaks in 2025?
The holiday season hasn’t always been about gingerbread and hot cocoa. For more than half of workers across Britain, the festive break is disappearing faster than a snowflake on a warm sidewalk.
Why the Big Bleak Break?
A recent survey from CV‑Library, the country’s go‑to job board, sheds light on the crunch:
- 55 % say they’re stuck in the holiday grind because they can’t afford to skip work.
- 70.3 % spot that their employers push them to stay over Christmas with “nothing to alleviate the workload.”
- 52.5 % confessed they really don’t love working during the winter lull.
Those lucky enough to hit the pause button usually cite two things:
- Family time.
- A much‑needed break after a year that turned into a marathon.
Heard From the Heads
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV‑Library, summed it up: “The cost‑of‑living crisis is cutting a shadow over the festive season for UK professionals. More folks are forced to work through Christmas simply because they have no choice.”
“It feels like a stark reminder of the deep challenges people face needing to keep the lights on, while still juggling a decent work‑life mix,” Biggins added. He urged businesses to shift focus from crunch-time productivity to the wellbeing of their teams.
What This Means for Your Holiday Season
If you’re part of the workforce that’s stuck working through the holidays, you’re not alone. Many are balancing the bill with coffee and a ten‑day break that might never show up on their calendars.
For companies, this is a wake‑up call: letting employees recharge isn’t just kind—it’s smart. Happy teams are more productive, and the holiday spirit is in the heart of a rested workforce.
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