Christmas office closures on Okanagan-Similkameen agenda

PENTICTON – It may seem a bit odd to be talking about Christmas holidays just as spring buds break out in the South Okanagan, but that’s exactly what regional district directors will be discussing at a committee meeting this week.

A staff recommendation is asking the board to approve an annual closure of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen offices for three days between Christmas and New Year’s during a committee meeting tomorrow, April 7.

Staff arguments say the closure would fit into the regional district’s business plan objectives, which include health and wellness objectives for its employees. 

“We’re bringing it to the board’s attention tomorrow in order to give staff a chance to plan so they don’t use up all their holidays before Christmas,” regional district Human Resources Manager Marnie Manders says.

She says it will also provide time to inform the public of the closure, in addition to new hires.

"Staff and the union welcome the request,” she says, adding a survey done over the past few years indicated very low phone call and walk in traffic during the three-day interval between the two holidays.

Manders also noted there is always a three (working) days between the two holidays.

Areas where staff are needed due to operational necessity will continue to work through the period, Manders says,

Manders says no concerns stemming from differing religious or ethnic backgrounds were raised among staff.

The City of Penticton currently opens City Hall over the three-day period between Christmas and New Year's, but the regional district's other municipal members, including Princeton, Keremeos, Osoyoos, Oliver and Summerland do not. The City of Kelowna, West Kelowna and the Central Okanagan Regional District also close betweeen Christmas and New Year's.

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