Usdaw has called for a proper Christmas break for shopworkers as staff are “stressed and exhausted” through the run up to Christmas each year.
This comes as Usdaw’s survey of supermarket workers found that 97% want store closures on Boxing Day, supported by 79% of shoppers, according to a YouGov opinion poll of 1,763 UK adults.
“Last year we welcomed the many retailers who decided not to open on Boxing Day,” Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said, adding that “too many” stores are planned to open this year on 26 December.
He said that the results of the poll “shows that retailers are not only out of touch with their staff, but also with nearly 80% of the public.”
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The push for Boxing Day supermarket closures comes as “too many shopworkers spend too little time with their loved ones”, while arriving “home shattered and have to spend time on Christmas Day getting ready for work the next day.”
As a result, the retail trade union is urging retailers to close stores on Boxing Day both this year and “every year”.
Lillis added: “For those retailers who are opening, we strongly urge them to only staff stores with genuine volunteers. We also say to customers, if you must shop on Boxing Day, please treat the staff with respect and understand they would most likely rather be enjoying a festive day off.”
While Usdaw is calling on all supermarkets to commit to Boxing Day store closures, in October both frozen food retailer Iceland and discount grocer Aldi confirmed stores would be shut on 26 December.
Last month, M&S joined the supermarkets with planned Boxing Day closures with its stores director Helen Milford adding that it gave staff a “small thank you for their hard work delivering a remarkable Christmas for our customers.”
1 Comment. Leave new
You have no power whatsoever to even enforce boxing day closures! Retail are treated like scum always have always will be im afraid