One of the most irksome things about working in the private sector -- where consistent productivity is required -- is to read about the extra holidays that the public sector enjoys.
Take holidays: Those of us in the private sector fortunate enough to have full-time jobs enjoy seven paid holidays off a year, and that's fair. We need holidays to celebrate important events and recharge our own batteries.
Unfortunately, too many of those in public service abuse the holiday process, taking 10, 11, or even 12 paid holidays. Where do they find the extra paid holidays for which our taxpayer dollars foot the bill? Do public employees think that we recession-beleaguered citizens think they are doing such a great job that they should have undeserved holidays on our dime?
If so, the hubris and arrogance stinks.
That brings us to the pretty city of Pleasant View. Its city administration is not alone in abusing the holiday process, but it is just the latest example. Recently, its city council approved 12 days of paid holidays for its workers. These "holidays" include eight hours for the day after Thanksgiving. What a lack of respect for the taxpayers.
What are Pleasant View public employees celebrating the day after Thanksgiving -- the digestion of food or the early dash for Christmas gifts on Black Friday?
Here is what Pleasant View Mayor Doug Clifford said," The day after Thanksgiving is always on a Friday and always a half day off anyway. It's such a nonproductive time really. This is one of those complications of not having eight-hour days."
The reason for a half-day off on Christmas Eve makes a little bit of sense -- because Christmas falls on a half-day Friday it would only be a four-hour vacation. Lest one accuse us of being Mr. Scrooge, we're not opposed to full day off on Christmas. The problem with Pleasant View is it isn't "only once a year," as clerk Bob Cratchit observed.
We suggest that Mayor Clifford initiate efforts to help Pleasant View city employees find things to do on the day after Thanksgiving and the final four hours of Christmas Eve. Mayor Clifford might want to ask the thousands who work in the Top of Utah's retail sector if they have trouble finding something to do on the day after Thanksgiving. The truth is that most employees in the private sector are asked to work nights, weekends and yes, even some holidays. It's never "such a nonproductive time really, as Mayor Clifford puts it.
We do want to assure readers that the city's police officers will work regular hours. They can find things to do.
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