One of the few days in American culture that the retail workforce grinds to a halt in order for workers to spend time with their families is Thanksgiving, but as strapped retailers seek ways to eek more profit out of the spending orgy that is Black Friday, that tradition may be set to change.
Unsurprisingly, retail employees aren’t happy with the decision. While many people adopt the “be grateful you have a job at all” mindset, some workers have stood up to complain after stores announced shopping hours beginning as early as 10 PM on Thanksgiving night. One employee of Target is organizing a campaign to protest the decision to open the nationwide retailer at midnight on Black Friday, requiring some employees to be present as early as 11PM on Thanksgiving day. Anthony Hardwick says :
“All Americans should be able to break bread with loved ones on Thanksgiving. With the midnight opening, employees like myself will have to leave for work right in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner. We don’t mind hard work, but cutting into our holidays is a step too far.”
Hardwick added:
“If Target doesn’t reverse its decision and allow associates to spend Thanksgiving holidays with their family, they might suffer from a fast-growing consumer backlash.”
While Walmart is going a step further and opening at 10PM on Thanksgiving Day, some retailers have bucked the trend and allowed employees the holiday to spend with their families before the crush of the holiday season sets in in earnest.
JC Penney’s senior VP for marketing Bill Gentner commented:
“We wanted to give our associates Thanksgiving Day to spend with their families.”
Do you think stores should be open Thanksgiving night for shoppers, or should retail workers be allowed to have a day off, too?
[Image: Shutterstock ]
