'Scrooge' epithet for those who worked at Christmas

David Woods, 12 January 2009

Nearly half (46%) of UK employees went to work over Christmas but more than three quarters (77%) of their colleagues reacted negatively, labelling them as 'martyrs to their employer' or a 'Scrooge'.

According to research from workplace psychologists OPP, one in five preferred to work over the Christmas holidays when the office was quieter and 12% admitted they would rather be at work than at home.

However, just under a quarter (24%) of 1,304 UK employees said those who work over Christmas are workaholics, 20% claim they do not have a life outside work, 18% labelled them as a ‘Scrooge' and 14% believe they are ‘martyrs to their employer'.

Lucy McGee, head of marketing at OPP, believes people are afraid to admit enjoying their job for fear of being labelled a workaholic.

She said: "It's OK to enjoy your work. Having a positive relationship with your job is often a basic prerequisite if you're to perform to the best of your abilities in the workplace and realise your wider potential.

"There is a serious message here for employers. Managers need to put effort into understanding the whole person and ensuring they encourage them to bring all their energies and talents into the workplace. They need to work at creating open and enjoyable working environments where people don't feel their noses are being kept to the grindstone."