Usdaw continues to call for the closure of large stores on Boxing Day to give retail workers a well earned rest.

Usdaw’s Annual Delegate Meeting has backed a call on retailers to close their large stores on Boxing Day to give the staff a well-earned rest in the busy festive period.

Addressing delegates at the annual conference in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Dave McCrossen – Usdaw deputy general secretary said:

“It has long been Usdaw’s position that stores should not open on Boxing Day. The run up to Christmas is the busiest time in retail. It’s an extremely important trading period, providing bumper profits for businesses and ensuring that the nation can celebrate Christmas Day.

To deliver those profits, retail staff, and those in the supply chain, work tirelessly throughout December. It can be a very stressful time to work right across the retail sector. Peak trading, long hours, and, for those in stores, unacceptable spikes in abuse from customers, who think it is OK to take out their frustrations on shop staff. All of this adds up to an exhausted workforce by the time stores finally close on Christmas Eve.

Is it too much to ask for our members to have a decent break at Christmas? Shops can open for 150 hours a week in the run-up to Christmas and beyond, and many do, so we think a two-day break for staff is not unreasonable. Our members deserve time to rest and recuperate. To spend time with their family and loved ones and to relax and enjoy the festivities. Instead, for many it is a case of getting home late on Christmas Eve, being shattered on Christmas Day and getting straight back to work on Boxing Day. That’s no way to get the most out of your workforce, or to show that they are valued. We will continue to raise this with employers.”