Workers push back against earlier holiday openings (Crybaby Alert!)

Richmond Times ^ | 11.22.11

[Recovering_Democrat]

Count your blessings, then get to work.

That may be Thanksgiving for more retail workers this year, as stores desperate to pull in buyers on the first weekend of the holiday shopping season push their openings earlier and earlier.

Unhappy workers who say the earlier hours ruin their Thanksgiving celebrations are trying to persuade companies to back off, but retailers say they're stuck: It's what customers want.

Reporting to work at 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving Dayruinswhat issupposed to bea day spent with family, said Anthony Hardwick, who works part time at a Target store in Omaha, Neb., corralling carts.

[martinidon]

man, how times have changed, when I was younger we loved having to work on Holidays and Sundays (Bible Belt) because that meant overtime or an extra days work which meant a bigger pay check!

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

As someone who served in the USAF for 8 years back in the 60's--and I doubt those "lonesome" feelings have changed much--including having to be away from family on Holidays for 6 of those 8 years due to assignments overseas, try telling your tales of woe and whining about having to work on Thanksgiving to the 1/4 Million of our Brave men and women who are not even in the U.S.; will not be able to be with their "Families"--or loved ones--and more than likely, will also be "working" on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and New Years, and Easter, and, and, and....especially those serving in harms way, who WISHED all they had to do was "work on Thanksgiving" here in the U.S., close to their Families and get to be with them before and after this Holiday?

Get a life, already!!!

[martinidon]

I agree, the work ethic in today's youth is just not the same.

[Recovering_Democrat]

I think we agree. Did you take my statement to mean we didn’t?

[TheGunny]

If it isnt agreeable with them, they can seek employment elsewhere! So many folks are out of work right now and cant find a job...this is a really bad play on the part of the cry babies who have the privilege and ability to work.

Romans 14: 5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord.

[yldstrk]

Ha ha your scripture doesn’t agree with your rant........

[icwhatudo]

Same here. I remember getting double time and a half and it was awesome!!!

[moovova]

The signed petitions were hand-delivered to the Minneapolis-based retailer's headquarters on Monday in three plastic Target shopping bags.

The petition was received by Anahita Cameron, Target's director of human resources for Northern region stores...

Ms. Cameron promptly threw the three bags in the incinerator.

[TheGunny]

It absolutely does. The point that I am trying to make in contrast to yours is that A) they dont have to work there, B) they should consider them selves blessed to have a job, and C)If a man's conscience keeps him from working on the sabbath or holy day so be it! He should refrain from work in that case. But if it doesnt and the market calls for extended hours or holiday work (because the bottom line depends on it) then he, having no objections, should put his working clothes on and get to it...with a sense of purpose and gratitude.

[Recovering_Democrat]

No problem.

I understand the sentiment, but this kind of stuff makes people become “creative” in their ways to find family time.
My college job kept me busy over the Christmas season, and I couldn’t go home. So we found a way to celebrate the day another way.

Young people need to realize a job is WORK. They’ll be motivated to find jobs they enjoy....and get out of ones they dislike. A strong work ethic sometimes means working long, unpleasant hours.

I am frankly astounded by the number of posts here who object to private sector capitalism being practiced. Do I understand people like being with family on Thanksgiving? Absolutely. I am among them...sometimes it works out for me, sometimes it doesn’t. The whining like a victim is my objection—people who do that are not exhibiting strong character.

[moovova]

Quit. Lots of time to enjoy the holidays then.

[Recovering_Democrat]

I do not shop retail on BF either. Not interested.

[moovova]

...but this kind of stuff makes people become “creative” in their ways to find family time.

Agreed. If it takes holiday "togetherness time" to guarantee family cohesiveness, the "family" has other problems.

[autumnraine]

Oh I agree with you, and I think that our lives are becoming more and more commercially motivated. When you give up Thanksgiving, or demand that others do, just so you can get a bargain on some STUFF?

But to complain about working... when many MANY people would gladly work it because they are also desperate for a paycheck. It just comes off as whiny.

[PrincessB]

Sorry, I sympathize with these people. I normally work Christmas Eve (I volunteer) and in a family of musicians, some one is working on a holiday. I don’t mind restaurants being open as some people really don’t cook and the restaurants are probably supporting emergency room staff by preventing accidents and food poisoning. I have considered moving into a fine dining waitstaff position and understand that Thanksgiving and Easter would be high volume working days.

General retail, though, makes me nuts. I find it really pathetic that people can’t stop and just spend time with their neighbors and families for ONE DAY.

Don’t shop, don’t go to the movies. Enjoy a meal and visit. Go to the high school early afternoon football game or the parish’s morning activity. If you are really at loose ends, volunteer at a nursing home or soup kitchen’s celebration.

Besides who are they buying this stuff for? A lot of Black Friday merchandise doesn’t end up being a true Christmas gift. It’s something the purchaser bought for themselves.

[bgill]

Is it too much to ask that we take one day out of 365 and give thanks to our Creator who has blessed us so?

You have it backwards. There are 365 days to give thanks and to be with your family. It shouldn't matter that you work on Monday, Thursday or Sunday if your children need to be fed. This is a Thursday, not a Sunday. This is not a religious holiday. Are you going to use this same "one day out of 365 and give thanks to our Creator" for Christmas and Easter, too?

[Obadiah]

Yes. Yes I am.

[bassmaner]

Don’t work in retail, then. Go work for the government. Problem solved.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I can’t think of an Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas or New years day I’ve had off. I always wanted to work those days as that is when my paycheck was MUCH BIGGER!

What if all stores were REQUIRED to close those days? Can anyone travel to Grandma’s house if all convenience and gas stations are closed? How about aircraft pilots getting the day off. No flights! You would basicly have a complete shutdown of the US.
Why should Power Plant workers be on the job so others can have power to enjoy the holidays?
Quit bitching and enjoy the overtime pay!