Inauguration Becomes De Facto Holiday

Employers nationwide are bracing for a new slowdown, but they're excited about this one, reports USA Today. Thousands of workers nationwide are expected to take the day off tomorrow to watch the inauguration—or watch with co-workers in office parties. Companies are wise to grant the time off, since the festivities will bring employees hope amid a gloomy economic atmosphere, experts note. Watching as a group has particular benefits, they say.

"Watching the inauguration as a work team has the potential to enhance morale," said a workplace psychologist. Like many others, a California company is heeding that advice and closing shop to let employees watch the ceremony together. "This is almost going to be like a national holiday," said the president of the firm. "This is so much more important than productivity."
(More inauguration stories.)