Comments on: Working Boxing Day

By: Niall Furlong

Niall Furlong — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 12:05:23 +0000

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.

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:33:12 +0000

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?

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:06:20 +0000

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?

By: bea

bea — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:11:26 +0000

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

By: AL

AL — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:40:27 +0000

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

By: NT

NT — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:17:02 +0000

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.

By: Christopher Marson

Christopher Marson — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:00:36 +0000

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