It’s a perception thing, I think. Most people feel like Xmas/Thanksgiving are too “on the radar” so they’re reluctant to call out on those days. The lesser “holidays” just feel less critical. Ironically, because everyone thinks no one else calls out on those days, the sick calls spike. (Super Bowl Sunday is the other major “sickout” day for the same reason- just feels less weighty than Xmas.)

Whatever your judgment of that, I think HP is the logical solution. Instead of pretending people are never going to call out on important family days, just incentivize working those days & watch the staffing SNAFUs magically go away. I’m actually a little surprised SB Sunday isn’t a paid holiday.