The trade union Usdaw is calling for more retailers to close on Boxing Day, advocating for staff to enjoy extended festive breaks.
- Usdaw’s request follows Poundland’s decision to close over 800 stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
- Other major retailers such as John Lewis, Waitrose, and Home Bargains have confirmed their Boxing Day closures.
- The trade union highlights the importance of voluntary staffing for stores that remain open during the festive season.
- Usdaw expresses hope that additional retailers will adopt similar closure policies to support their staff.
The trade union Usdaw has intensified its efforts to advocate for more retail closures on Boxing Day. This initiative aims to allow retail workers to have an extended break during the festive season, underscoring the union’s commitment to employee welfare.
Poundland, a prominent discount retailer, has announced that it will close its more than 800 stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. This decision aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to provide employees with a deserved rest following the holiday rush.
This announcement from Poundland adds to a growing list of retailers, including John Lewis, Waitrose, and Home Bargains, that have chosen to remain closed on Boxing Day. These closures are part of a broader movement in the retail sector prioritising employee wellbeing over holiday sales.
Usdaw has long campaigned for Boxing Day closures, arguing that if stores must remain open, they should operate with a volunteer-only staffing model. This approach is intended to minimise the mandatory work requirements on a day traditionally seen as a time for rest.
National officer for Usdaw, Bally Auluk, stated, ‘We now hope that other retailers will follow suit, by closing their stores to help workers enjoy the festive season and give them a well-deserved breather.’ This sentiment reflects the union’s ongoing advocacy for improved working conditions in the retail industry.
The push for Boxing Day closures by Usdaw illustrates a significant shift in retail towards prioritising employee welfare during the festive period.
