Don't like 'Lousy Thursday' shopping? Here's the bad guys/good guys list

[SteveG]

[Ombligo]

I have no issue with a store being open on a holiday as long as every employee from the longest tenured to newest hired is given the opportunity to have the day off if they want - an all-voluntary schedule. Those that do work should be compensated well.

I used to jump at the holidays because I had an employer that made it worthwhile - 2x time, 6-hour guarantee minimum (if your duties could be finished in an hour, you could leave, be on call and still get six hours) and another day off of my choosing.

For many employees that extra padding to the paycheck on Thanksgiving can truly help at Christmas.

We had to sign up in January to get a holiday spot they were so popular.

[The UnDoug]

Yeah, it's kind of representative of what is wrong with America these days when someone takes the time to put something together like that graphic, without indicating--as Ombligo mentioned--whether or not the employees are "forced" to work that day. If not, then why paint the employer as evil. If the stores are paying extra, then employees may be very happy to get the chance to make more money.

I'm not saying "greed is good," but it seems like those companies are being cast as villains, while I'm not so sure that's true. Unfortunately, many people won't have the "second thought" that I just mentioned, and will just naturally assume the worst.

[bazookaman]

My brother would be the exact person who would sign up for holiday duty. As a matter of fact, for this holiday from his "real" job, he is driving to the mountains and working with our dad painting houses for the next 4 days.

[SteveG]

Volunteered and 2x wages is okay with me, but I don't think it's the case for most people on the list. I'd welcome anyone who has further information.

[DinerDave]

Here in Mass. we still have many of the old Blue Laws, so most of
the stores you would shop at for Black Friday are closed.
I agree with Ombligo's thought about workers on a volunteer basis.
In fact my employees are all on a volunteer basis for the holidays.
For Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve
and Day I have a no request black out. My normal request procedure
is shut down. November 1st I post the Thanksgiving sign up sheet.
all shifts are shorter than normal, mostly 4 hrs, the employee can work,
then go do family duties, or work afterwards to escape the family.
My Asst Mgr does not celebrate Thanksgiving, so she usually does two
shifts and enjoys the time and a half money. I have 15 employees
and usually need about 12 or 13 shifts, so not everyone needs to work.
The same repeats for the other holidays.
My thoughts are wandering a little as we are cooking at home, so I
should expand my earlier thought. I said no request zone, but I have
Spoken to each separately, they know any special situations they just
need to see me about, and I take that into account, such as Mom's with
Young kids. Most do jump at the short shift, time and a half deal.
This year, Thanksgiving shifts were filled before all employees cycled
Through to see the sign up sheet.
The only "threat" if you will, I use is I say something like stating that
We have a business to run, if we can't fill all the shifts, then it looks
like I need to hire more people, usually that will self police all the time
off requests, as they know more employees mean less hours for others.
My turnover is almost half what other stores in my region are, so I guess
I'm doing something right.
My theory is you can't make money if your business is closed, and if
you have employees who WANT to work, why not be open?
Also, no one is FORCING people to go shop today.

Dave

[C(-)ris]

I think that there are more than enough people who have no problem working today to go around. Especially at double time or time and a half. I think DinerDave hit it spot on. If your store doesn't have enough people who want to work then you need to diversify and get more flexible employees.It sounds harsh, but it really isn't. There are some people who absolutely won't work on holidays and there are some people who don't care at all and welcome the extra money. You need to have a good mix of both in retail or you are in trouble.

I worked retail for 8 years in highschool and through college. I always worked Thanksgiving day, usually 8 to 12 hours. That next paycheck was amazing and really did help out at Christmas time. These days my job gives me plenty of time off on the holidays as we are gone, but if there was a need I would be in the office today.

[silvarios]

Doesn't bother me. People have families all year round, and I know many in professions where they do in fact have to work holidays (firefighters, nurses, etc) and so this obsession with only recognizing some days as important really bothers me. As another example, my non Christian friends/family or usually forced to take a day off for things like Christmas, but then forced to used leave for their actual religious holiday. Kind of stupid, no?