I cannot understand how half the country has a fortnight off work over the Xmas/NY period.
We get hols taken off us for Xmas shutdown, for this year its 3 days for the Xmas week and 1 for New Years Eve.
It's cheaper to shutdown than having everything turned on onsite to provide for a skeleton staff.
Our latest finish date is next Friday but I'm taking time back to finish next Wedesnday and then not back in until Weds 2nd so 2 weeks off.