Test your festive HR knowledge with this fun quiz
The holidays are upon us, and as experts in absence, leave, and time management, we couldn’t resist sprinkling some HR magic into the festive season.
Introducing the Quick Fire Festive Quiz 🎄 – where we challenge your knowledge of global leave policies, holiday traditions, and HR practices during the most wonderful time of the year.
For ease, we’ve laid out the questions and answers in a simple format below – feel free to copy these and use them for your own festive quiz…
Q1. In the United States, which of the following is NOT considered a federal holiday?
- A) Boxing Day
- B) Christmas Day
- C) Thanksgiving Day
- D) New Year’s Day
Answer: A Boxing Day
Fun Fact: Boxing Day is widely celebrated in Commonwealth countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia. The name comes from the old tradition of giving “Christmas boxes” to service workers the day after Christmas.
Q2. Which country legally guarantees the most public holidays in the world?
- A) Japan
- B) India
- C) Thailand
- D) Australia
Answer: B India
Fun Fact: India offers an impressive 21 public holidays, but what’s unique is that they vary by state and religion, making it one of the most culturally diverse holiday calendars in the world!
Q3. In the UK, how many paid bank holidays are employees entitled to as part of statutory leave?
- 10
- 14
- 8
- 3
Answer: C 8
Fun Fact: The UK has 8 official bank holidays, but did you know Scotland has one extra holiday for St. Andrew’s Day? Employees in Northern Ireland enjoy 10 bank holidays, thanks to two extra days for St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne Day.
Q4. In Sweden, what tradition sees employees celebrating “Little Christmas Eve” by leaving work early?
- A) The Julbord Feast
- B) Gift Swap Friday
- C) Early Santa’s Day
- D) Lucia Procession
Answer: A The Julbord Feast
Fun Fact: The Julbord is a festive buffet filled with traditional Swedish Christmas dishes like pickled herring, meatballs, and glögg (mulled wine). It’s often hosted by employers for staff to kick off the holiday cheer.
Q5: Which country mandates that employees take at least two consecutive weeks of annual leave?
- A) Canada
- B) Greece
- C) New Zealand
- D) South Africa
Answer: C New Zealand
Fun Fact: In New Zealand, the Holidays Act ensures that workers can truly unwind, requiring a minimum of two consecutive weeks off as part of their four weeks’ annual leave entitlement.
Q6: What percentage of UK employees admit to checking work emails during the Christmas holidays? (YouGov)
- A) 15%
- B) 38%
- C) 60%
- D) 72%
Answer: C 60%
Fun Fact: While 55% might seem high, initiatives like “right to disconnect” laws aim to reduce out-of-hours work and encourage employees to enjoy their holidays fully! Let’s check back next year to see if this has reduced that shockingly high number. Q.
Q7. In which country is it a tradition to take a holiday during the winter “Golden Week” instead of Christmas?
- A) China
- B) Japan
- C) South Korea
- D) Vietnam
Answer: B Japan
Fun Fact: In Japan, Christmas is more of a commercial celebration, and the big family event is New Year’s Day. The winter Golden Week often includes holidays like Emperor’s Birthday and New Year festivities.
Q8. What unique Christmas benefit do many companies in Finland provide to employees?
- A) A free sauna day
- B) Christmas gift cards
- C) Extra vacation days
- D) A Christmas dinner with Santa
Answer: A A free sauna day
Fun Fact: Finland is the sauna capital of the world, with over 3 million saunas for its 5.5 million people! Many companies gift employees with a day to relax in a sauna, embracing the Finnish love of warmth during the chilly holiday season.
