The "terror" of Christmas music

Unions representing store workers in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands say Christmas music is driving staff crazy

Workers in Europe are tired of being bombarded with Christmas music during the holiday season.

Dutch and German trade unions are backing the demands of colleagues in Austria who said the combined effect of listening to endless hours of catchy tunes like Jingle Bells made staff aggressive and confrontational.

The Union of Dutch Workers has also opposed what it calls the “terror” of constant Christmas music.

“Unlike the clients, the shop workers can’t escape the Christmas muzak which is boosting through the loudspeakers all day long,” said Gottfried Rieser, a spokesperson for the union. “They feel they are terrorized all day. Especially Jingle Bells, which is considered the Al Qaeda of the shop workers.”

Rieser said the music arouses aggressive feelings and workers can’t stand to hear the music played at home by their families during the holidays.

The union wants employers to enter into a voluntary code not to play Christmas songs for more than four hours per day.

Verdi, Germany’s largest trade union for shop workers, said it will demand time off for workers if stores are not prepared to exercise more restraint.

“Playing Christmas music should be done in peace and quiet and at the right moment and in the stress of the shop floor it is not the right moment,” said Roland Temper, a spokesperson for the union.

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