Job Discussion Forums

megane · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 9

hi there,

just wondering if anyone has any info about the suggested days off for dragon boat festival. i've heard it is may 28-30, with a make-up teaching day on sunday the 31, but nothing official from our school yet. anyone have any info?

suanlatudousi · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 384

端午节 DuānWǔ Ji� is on Thursday, 28 May 2009.

As, I'm sure, many employers mess with the holidays you should ask your employer. It is only a one (1) day holiday. So, whether your employer gives you more time is, well, up to your school. Press your employer to give you a schedule. I do not work on Saturday or Sunday at all for my regular classes/lectures. I'm sure most people will follow the 28th - 30th routine your mention.

The origin of this holiday is a bit troubling -- a poet Qū Yu�n 屈原 (about 300 BC) killed himself by jumping into the river on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. A very patriotic person, Qū Yu�n attracted the wrath of the king by stating his concerns about the government. Later when his country was overrun by enemy soldiers, the ever loyal poet killed himself out of grief for the pain his country was facing.

It is said that the local people, who admired him, threw food into the river to feed the fish so that they would not eat Qū Yu�n's body. This is said to be the origin of Z�ngzi 粽子 . The local people were also said to have paddled out on boats, either to scare the fish away or to retrieve his body. This is said to be the origin of dragon boat racing.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

To the OP..

My university will have off May 28-30, but we have to make up Friday's classes on Sunday. Our FAO has already notified us.. imagine that!! Ask your students, they often know the dates of things better than the folks in admin.

Enjoy the holiday.

.

SpedEd · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 143 Location: Shanghai

I don't want to have to start another thread on this if I don't have to, so here it goes: My private school employer adamently claims that the staff will *not* be given *any* day off for the dragon boat festival holiday(s). Is this something that I should tell them the staff and I are entitled to?

JamesD · Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 12:52 pm Post subject: .

My understanding is that this is an official government holiday. It used to be optional until they changed all the holidays trying to ease the travel crush.
At least that's what my boss says. We have to take off or we can claim holiday pay.

P.S. I work for a privately owned company, not a school.

suanlatudousi · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 384

It is a legal, government sanctioned holiday.

JamesD · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 12:53 am Post subject:

Double-checked and it is indeed a government set holiday. Everyone gets the day off or receives holiday pay.
Your nationality (or the company's) doesn't matter.