EMPLOYMENT DISPUTE
Scrooge expresses dissatisfaction with the clerk's request for a day off on Christmas, suggesting that paying wages for no work is unfair and likening the request to "picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December." This indicates an employment dispute or tension regarding holiday leave and compensation.
SCROOGE
'You'll want all day to-morrow, I suppose?' said Scrooge. 'If quite convenient, sir.' 'It's not convenient,' said Scrooge, 'and it's not fair. If I was to stop half-a-crown for it, you'd think yourself ill used, I'll be bound?' The clerk smiled faintly. 'And yet,' said Scrooge, 'you don't think _me_ ill used when I pay a day's wages for no work.' ... 'A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December!' said Scrooge, buttoning his greatcoat to the chin.