Jury still out on whether snow holidays are good idea

AMMAN — Whether it is a wise decision to announce a public holiday during heavy snowfall or not remains a typical debate among Jordanians whenever a blizzard is forecast to affect the country.

While stay-at-home supporters justify their stance by pointing out the perils of going to work and school during heavy snowfall, opponents believe that a public holiday would only result in an “unnecessary crippling of the country’s public life”. 

“Snowfall in Jordan does not pile equally in all regions. Announcing a public holiday when it snows harms businesses for no good reason,” Michael Batmani told The Jordan Times. 

The private business owner noted that he already pays his employees 30 days worth of their services every month, while they only work for 26 days. 

“And most companies are off two days a week, which means their workers serve for 22 days in return for 30 days of payment,” Batmani said, adding that having more days off during blizzards affects the productivity and profits of corporations. 

“I advise my employees to drive carefully and be very cautious during the snowfall,” he said, adding that the government should ensure that roads are safe and open during snowstorms.  

Yazeed Hunaiti, who also runs a private business, noted that holidays during snowstorms are necessary for the safety of employees, especially when snow accumulates.   

“I would not want to be responsible for any harm that might happen if they come to work in bad weather conditions,” he said. 

Dima Qaisi, an HR director at a private company, noted that employees take snow as an excuse not to show up to work, adding that holidays during blizzards should be left for employers to decide. 

“Employers should notify employees of what they expect from them during inclement weather. A compromise can be reached during such circumstances, such as allowing employees to work from home or leave as soon as they complete their work,” said Qaisi. 

Hani Al Zubaidi, a private company employee, said the damages caused by not giving days off during blizzards surpass any harm to business that could be brought on by allowing employees to stay home. 

“Slippery roads can become very dangerous and no one should risk leaving home when snow is accumulating,” he told The Jordan Times. 

Shadi Al Jamal, who works at a café in Amman, said the snowfall is an occurrence his wife and children wait for to be able to spend time with him. 

“Due to the nature of my work, which sometimes prevents me from taking a day off for weeks, I wait for snowstorms to see my family,” he noted. 

Salwa Jaouni, an employee and a mother of three, said she feels grateful for having an “understanding” employer who does not force her to come to work during harsh weather. 

“It is cruel to wake up my three-year-old son to take him to kindergarten so I can go to work in such weather. I stayed with my children home today [Sunday],” she added. 

Economists have repeatedly warned about the economic costs of additional holidays and the impact they have on the overall productivity of the country. 

Commenting on a snow holiday last year, economist Yusuf Mansur wrote on his Facebook page at the time that a day off costs the Kingdom’s economy JD100 million in losses.