Dear Employer,
Why are you opening at 7am on Boxing Day? Has it not occurred to you that your staff might have better things to do? That they might have families? Friends? Some sort of life?!
Of course it is not entirely your fault; the bulk of the blame must rest with the customers, who apparently do not have any of the above since they have the time on a day when every right-minded person is with their loved ones (or at the very least watching some festive TV) to wander along to and pick up a garment which is marked down by a massive 5%. The shop will still be there tomorrow! What the hell is wrong with you?!
But just because some customers have nothing better to do with their lives is no reason to pander to this weakness. Do you give an alcoholic vodka? No; you pity them and then leave them queuing outside in the cold, waiting to exchange a jumper for an identical one of a colour that better matches their eyes. By opening on boxing Day you are enabling shopaholics. You are contributing to their, no doubt already out of control, credit card debt. They will be forced to take out steeper and steeper loans which they cannot afford and so they will end up on benefit, which the country cannot afford. And so are also contributing to the global financial crisis and the eventual downfall of Western civilisation.
Also I wanted to see my parents at Christmas and now I can’t, and I object to not seeing my mother and father on Christmas day just so some chav can save 50p on a pair of legging that would be more flattering on a hippo.
Yours contemptibly,
Robin
I think I must of missed a bit about why you are blaming the shop for your inability to see your parents?
Anyway, you are right, there is no need for any store to open so early on any day of the year, let alone boxing day but don’t forget the Christmas holidays are not kept by everyone, it is only a Christian tradition, there are plenty of muslims, jews, hindus who will quite enjoy the chance of shopping early and making a saving at the same time equallly, most large superstores ask their staff to work on a public holiday such as boxing day as they cannot demand it, a lot of people are so sick of xmas by boxing day, going back to work is actually a peasure!
While I can see your point, the issue is deeper than just a blanket, everyone should not work on this day… moreover, I am very greatful to the staff such as the late shop… coop and londis etc who open about 6 am even on xmas day for those people like me who have forgotten something crucial for a dinner or a party.. these shops are to be comdend and not condemed.. however… bying a sofa at 7am on boxing day.. is… a bit much
Did you not know that your employers opened on boxing day when you joined? I used to leave the house at 6.30 to get to work for 9.30…my choice, I decided to live 2 hours away from work! No one to blame but myself. Maybe you should take a look at whether retail work is for you.
7am seems a bit early but come on….you’re getting paid, its not as if they are expecting you to work for free.
NT- Are you saying that when you are offered a job, you should look at the contract and turn it down purely on the basis that you will have to work on Boxing Day? Of course you wouldn’t! Particularly in the current economic climate, people don’t don’t necessarily have the “choice”. It is the retailers that have all the power here, and they should be decent enough to allow their staff a bit of family time over the festive period. They have all the other 363/4 days of the year to trade! There needs to be a change in the law.
I work in retail, I don’t mind working at 7am, but on boxing day with no public transport before 8:30am and arrive work at 7am it is not acceptable. As the company want us to pay for the cab ourselves, which will be doubled and paid only 2.5 times. the number of hours I work, minus the tax man and NI, meaning I work for nothing on that day on top of not have enough time for family.
Also, this is only a partime job, and saturday is not my contractual hours. But still if I don’t turn up work, whether sick or not, will be disciplinary. What can I do? well I know I need a better employer. apart from that any better solutions and suggestions?
AL
FAO Robin
Maybe you should think about getting a job that suits you rather than complaining!!! Not all people are in debt and you complain about the financial situation, do you not watch the news? or read the paper, if we spend more money in the retail sector it is actually good for the industry. If those ‘chavs’ did not shop you would not have a job!!!!!!!!!! I dont know who ya think you are slagging people off, clearly you think your better than everyone else, then get a job that would suit that
Robin, just to let you know I wholeheartedly agree with you. I am also in the same position and am having to work boxing day (with no public transport whatsoever so may possibly have to resort to a taxi) and because of the lack of public transport I am unable to see any family this Christmas either.
Not everyone is privileged enough to have the choice where they work. I am very grateful that at least I have a job, however it is not one that I would have if there was much choice over the matter. (And yes I continue to look for different jobs.)
And… surely the nature of this sight is to vent and complain so if you don’t want to read someone’s complaint why come on here?
FAO Bea
Judging by your defensive comments and complete failure to see the irony of this complaint, I am guessing you are the said purchaser of the leggins in question?
hi , can you help me ? if a person was on a rota to work boxing day in a retail shop and the boss phoned on that day to tell the person that they were not needed , do they still have to pay that person ?