In China, traditional holidays will affect business activities to a great extent, and this paper will describe the logistics, business activities, and employee vacations during the Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival.
Ⅰ. Impacts during the Spring Festival
The Spring Festival, the most important traditional festival in China, usually falls on the first day of the first lunar month and lasts for about 15 days. This period has a significant impact on logistics, business activities, and employee leave arrangements.
Logistics Shutdown Cycle: Around a week before the Spring Festival, most logistics companies gradually reduce their parcel collection services and then stop operations one after another. This is because a large number of couriers need to return home in advance for the festival, resulting in a shortage of manpower. Generally, during the Spring Festival holiday, only a very small number of emergency logistics services are maintained, but the costs are high and the timeliness is difficult to guarantee. Logistics usually fully resumes normal operations around the seventh to tenth day of the first lunar month, and the specific time varies by region and logistics company.
Suspension of Business Activities: During the Spring Festival, various business activities almost come to a complete standstill. Many enterprises will complete the closing work of important businesses before the Spring Festival and then enter the holiday mode. Business meetings, business negotiations, project signings, and other activities will be suspended. Even if there are some urgent business needs, it will be difficult to promote due to the holiday of most enterprise employees.
Employee Leave Arrangements: The legal holiday of the Spring Festival is 7 days, from New Year’s Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month. In fact, many enterprises will arrange for employees to start taking leave from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month (Xiaonian) and not return to work until after the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Enterprises usually arrange duty personnel in advance to handle some necessary matters, such as security and emergency business consultations, but the number of personnel is relatively small.
Ⅱ. Impacts during the Mid – Autumn Festival
The Mid – Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Although the holiday is short, it also has a certain impact on business activities.
Logistics: One week before the Mid – Autumn Festival, the logistics business volume usually reaches a small peak mainly because people purchase festival gifts and food. However, on the Mid – Autumn Festival day and one or two days before and after, the logistics speed will slow down significantly, and some express delivery outlets may even take a short break. However, compared with the Spring Festival, the logistics shutdown time is shorter, and it can return to normal soon after the festival.
Business Activities: On the Mid – Autumn Festival day, most enterprises will give employees a holiday, and business activities will decrease accordingly. Some business people will also choose to arrange business trips before or after the festival to avoid conflicts with the festival. However, compared with the Spring Festival, the suspension of business activities is relatively less severe. Some small enterprises or individual operators may only rest on the Mid – Autumn Festival day and can resume normal business after the festival.
Employee Leave: The legal holiday of the Mid – Autumn Festival is 1 day. Coupled with weekend adjustments, it usually forms a 3 – day small holiday. Enterprises generally arrange employee leave according to the legal holiday, and some enterprises will also distribute festival benefits such as mooncakes to employees to create a festive atmosphere.
Last Updated on 6 days