Are retail employees human?
Quel shock, a post! I am at last inspired to rant.
Said inspiration came today as I sat at my desk at work, listening to all the radio commercials talking about how people didn't need to rush, the ever benevolent retail chains (ahem london drugs) were saving the world and being open late Christmas Eve and YES even Christmas Day. Halleluia! How good of them to think of others....
I know from experience working in a grocery store that a lot of people will be thinking exactly that. Now they can leave their shopping to an even later last minute and not be stressed. As if. I can tell you what they're not thinking, they're not thinking "wait, that means someone has to be working that day instead of being with their families like I will be."
I'm familiar with not having the family all together all day Christmas Day. My dad has worked every Christmas Day for the last six or seven years. This is because he works in a group home that doesn't have the option of closing. Someone HAS to work Christmas and since most of the people my dad works with have young children who wouldn't really understand having to wait until 5pm to open gifts, he volunteers. That's fine.
I intensely dislike this attitude that's developping that shopping is an essential service. Hospitals are essential; emergency services essential. You want to know what makes something ESSENTIAL (and I have this beef about the teachers' strike too), LIFE or DEATH. When there is the risk of death or serious injury if the service is removed, then it's essential. No one died from lack of cranberry sauce on Christmas Day.
A friend of mine is living in Zurich, Switzerland right now. In Switzerland the stores close in the evening on Saturday and by law cannot reopen until Monday. And guess what, people get by just fine. If they can do this every week, why can't North Americans do it once a year.
Retail employees are people too. They have families and friends that deserve to spend time with them at Christmas. They shouldn't have to give that up just in case you forgot to buy eggs.
Said inspiration came today as I sat at my desk at work, listening to all the radio commercials talking about how people didn't need to rush, the ever benevolent retail chains (ahem london drugs) were saving the world and being open late Christmas Eve and YES even Christmas Day. Halleluia! How good of them to think of others....
I know from experience working in a grocery store that a lot of people will be thinking exactly that. Now they can leave their shopping to an even later last minute and not be stressed. As if. I can tell you what they're not thinking, they're not thinking "wait, that means someone has to be working that day instead of being with their families like I will be."
I'm familiar with not having the family all together all day Christmas Day. My dad has worked every Christmas Day for the last six or seven years. This is because he works in a group home that doesn't have the option of closing. Someone HAS to work Christmas and since most of the people my dad works with have young children who wouldn't really understand having to wait until 5pm to open gifts, he volunteers. That's fine.
I intensely dislike this attitude that's developping that shopping is an essential service. Hospitals are essential; emergency services essential. You want to know what makes something ESSENTIAL (and I have this beef about the teachers' strike too), LIFE or DEATH. When there is the risk of death or serious injury if the service is removed, then it's essential. No one died from lack of cranberry sauce on Christmas Day.
A friend of mine is living in Zurich, Switzerland right now. In Switzerland the stores close in the evening on Saturday and by law cannot reopen until Monday. And guess what, people get by just fine. If they can do this every week, why can't North Americans do it once a year.
Retail employees are people too. They have families and friends that deserve to spend time with them at Christmas. They shouldn't have to give that up just in case you forgot to buy eggs.
posted by Megan at 11:56 PM
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