To say ‘well done’ to the bosses of M&S, Waitrose, Lidl & Aldi

[MargaritaThyme]

For deciding not to open their stores on Boxing Day, thereby giving their staff, who have been working very hard through December, a proper break with their loved ones?

Last year I had to work Boxing Day for a large high street card retailer. People were queuing up to buy their cards for half price. That retailer will be rubbing their hands as other shops decide to shut - more potential sales for them as customers are desperate to spend.

on Christmas Eve our local M&S called each of the staff on temporary contracts or on probation into the office to say who still has a job from January 6. Nice!

Yes, some had been hired for the Christmas period, with the lure of potential ongoing work. Others, like the chap I chatted to, were on probation periods, hoping to be taken on permanently. Granted, this chap is on a gap year, but others this is much needed, long term employment.

Why are they laying off? Because they over estimated how many employees they needed over Christmas and have blown the budget. This is just a small food hall branch. At times over Christmas they had more staff than stock to put out. Three plus managers working at a time.

Are we still saying “well done” to the bosses of M&S or, your greed is another’s unemployment.

they do, but it’s very hard for anyone under 18 to get employment in shops, cafes or restaurants. The employment laws have changed. Waiting staff have to be 18+ in any chain. Even cafe Nero!

My teenagers have all struggled. My 17 yr old now has a job, but even when legal school leaving age it was hard. Once the others were 18 it was much easier.

Automation has taken a lot of student jobs. One 18 years old can manage a bank of self service tolls once operated by 6 people.

Progress for retail bosses is not all good for the workforce.

Tut tut Lidl - open on 2nd January! It's a PH in Scotland!

Lidl was open Boxing Day

My Lidl's was open but I noticed B&Q weren't, They used to open when I worked there