Tesco - football final

[countvoncount]

I'm as chuffed as anyone about England reaching the final, just to be clear I'm not bashing that
But.... DH works for Tesco express, who only close on Christmas Day.
Just had a notification that express stores will close at 7.30pm on Sunday, to allow staff to watch the football.
He's delighted of course, as otherwise would have missed it, here's my AIBU, they have normal opening hours on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday etc etc
But can find it in their hearts to close early for a football final?
Bonkers!

Presumably they have made the assessment no one will want to shop there either as they'll all be at the pub/at home watching the game, so it's a commercial decision as well as a nice one?

Good on Tesco.

It's a money saving thing. They know they won't make enough money in the stores to cover staffing them so finish the staff early they don't have to pay them

Not really. They expect it will be deserted, everyone home watching not shopping. It's a one-off where profits would be low and will boost staff morale/their reputation. Versus the annual days you've mentioned.

Annoying but not bonkers.

I doubt it’s their hearts and probably a combination of knowing it won’t be worth to keep express stores open with everyone in pubs or at home watching it, if people did come in it might attract poor behaviour, alcohol related incidents and so on. And they might know they’ll have a problem with people pulling sickies last minute. Sounds more business savvy than compassionate to employees, especially as it’s only Express stores.

I totally understand your annoyance though!

Are they paying the staff who were rostered on?

Fair points!
He's still being paid as normal, and is very happy!
Just seems crazy that for literally any other reason the place stays open
You're all absolutely right though, a smart move on tescos part!

Glad he's being paid.

It's great free advertising for them when everyone talking about England.

I'm sure the tag line was something along the lines of "every goal helps"

I can't possibly believe he is getting paid as normal. There is literally no other case when Tesco "just pays".

Great marketing for Tesco and yes employees are getting paid as normal. 'Every fan helps' is their strap line.

Tesco will indeed pay the football absence. It makes me dislike the company and their priorities more than I already do.

Sorry!! Every fan helps!
My mistake
Like I said, I'm happy for him, but just makes me shake my head in disbelief that they can't do the same for parents who can't put their kids to bed on Christmas Eve as the shop stays open late
Or that every new year my other half is opening a shop at 6.30am on 1st January
🙄

Quite a few companies are doing this-OneStop & Sainsbury’s included. I think it’s a great idea. Potentially a once in a lifetime event!

Seems a bit odd to me as there must be loads of people who have no interest in football.

Not just Tesco, our local co op is closing at 7pm. Let the staff enjoy the football.

I don't get sick pay for the first week of absence (which practically means no sick-pay for all the staff in 90% of occasions).
I also lost my pay when I became a victim of crime just before my shift. I had to go and do a night shift that night, to not lose the measly pay I can ill-afford to lose.
One can opt out of Christmas shifts but with sacrificed pay.

The football thing... Fur coat, no knickers.

Did any shut for the women's world cup final last year?

They wouldn't have done it if it was a 3 o clock kick off!

It's an 8pm kickoff and they have probably done an assessment re potential income vs overheads vs staff goodwill. And it saves them the hassle of finding cover when many staff call in sick that day.

Tesco’s coming home ⚽🎤

I agree that working hours should be reduced on other occasions. I thought that during amd just after Covid, the shops should have shut on Easter Monday and had Sunday hours the next day.

Lots of people do their shopping Xmas eve and in the sales on 1st Jan though.

If I worked in Tesco and wasn't getting a free day off like the employees rostered to be in on the final I would be so angry

Sorry, extra paid day off I should say - not free day off