A wide variety of
causes including the French elections, the situation in the Occupied
Territories, and the post-September 11 climate have rendered this year's
holiday a bit more complicated than usual.
As in earlier years, World Phone In Sick Day generally occurs this year on
May 1 where May 1 is not already a holiday--i.e. the U.S., Canada, the
U.K.
Also as in the past, World Phone In Sick Day occurs on May 2 most
everywhere else, where May 1 is already a holiday.
In the U.S., however, WPIS Day continues past its principal May 1 day all
the way to the weekend (passing through May 2 and 3).
In the countries of Germany, Japan, and Singapore, and in the territory of
Hong Kong, WPIS Day occurs on its principal May 2 day but is also repeated
one week later, for the full work week falling on May 6-10.
For the cases of Mexico and Israel/Palestine, the primary WPIS Day (May 2
for these instances) is cancelled for 2002, and replaced with May 7, with
additionally, for the case of Israel/Palestine, May 10.
It is also to be noted that Russia and the Ukraine will see WPIS Day not
only on May 2 but also on May 7.
As for the situation in some South American nations, it is subject to
revision, as is that in the region immediately surrounding the primary
cities of both Byelarus and the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan.
Finally, certain oil platforms in the North and Caspian Seas have decided
against World Phone In Sick Day at all for 2002; these will resume
celebrations in 2003 on the usual two days as in previous years.