I need to weigh in on something that has been a hot button topic lately, and every year at this time. Its about retail and food industry workers working on holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas and the morality of it. Ive seen both sides of the argument. Ive heard No ones forcing you to stay there and put up with it. Or, You knew going into it that you would be forced to adhere to the demands of commerce. Then the other side of the fence is saying, Well, if I was off I would want to be home with my family and not perpetuate the problem by being one of those people who camp out and eat out on those days. Let me elaborate that both of these statements are true. But in todays job market options are not bountiful. I couldnt make a lateral move economically to work somewhere that did not pull me away from my family on these days. Should I sacrifice what little stability I have to take a less paying job with better hours? What if your 9-5 job all of a sudden demanded that you work those days due to demand? What if your alternative to avoid it was less pay? In my situation when I started my current job this wasnt an issue. What made it an issue was when other retailers started pushing the boundaries and opening earlier and earlier. Then in fear of losing that business everyone followed suit which in turn drew out more consumers. In short I didnt sign on to a job that worked on the holidays those that worked other types of jobs and corporate America forced it upon us poor servants to the people. Do I think its fair? Hell no! I wouldnt even be open on Sundays if I owned a business. But I do it because I have to do it so me and mine can survive. I dont complain about it because it is what it is. Just dont chastise people who complain about it because there is usually not another viable option.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 01:11:55 +0000