After some confusion over when Boxing Day actually is, Members voted by 23 to 20 in favour of a proposition brought by Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean. It was brought because the weekend falls between the traditional days off of Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The decision will give office workers four days off from Friday to Monday, but shop workers might have to work on both the Saturday and the Monday – although they could get overtime rates if they are called in on the Monday.
The only days on which shops are forbidden by law to open are Sundays, Liberation Day, Christmas Day and Good Friday. Although some shops open on Boxing Day, most choose not to.
