Usdaw encourages further retail closures on Boxing Day, with Poundland committing to the cause.
- Several major retailers, including John Lewis and Waitrose, have already announced closures for 26 December.
- The decision aims to provide retail employees with a much-needed break during the festive season.
- Poundland has confirmed it will close over 800 stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
- The call for closures comes after extensive advocacy for extended holiday breaks for workers.
Usdaw, a prominent trade union, has appealed to more retailers to consider shutting their doors on Boxing Day. This encouragement comes as Poundland decides to join the ranks of John Lewis, Waitrose, and Home Bargains, confirming their closure on 26 December. This move is part of an effort to provide retail workers with a chance to relax and enjoy the festive period fully.
Poundland’s decision will see over 800 of its stores close, not only on Boxing Day but also on New Year’s Day. The company explains this as an opportunity to give their employees a well-deserved rest following a busy holiday season. This commitment has been praised by Usdaw’s national officer, Bally Auluk, who commended the continuation of this practice, describing it as ‘much-appreciated’.
Usdaw has long campaigned for retailers to offer the longest possible break for their workers over Christmas and New Year. The union suggests that if stores must remain operational during this time, they should only be staffed by volunteers, ensuring regular employees have the opportunity to recharge.
The encouragement for additional retailers to follow Poundland’s example aligns with the broader advocacy for employee welfare. ‘We do not think it is too much to ask to give shop workers the longest possible break over Christmas and New Year,’ Auluk stated, highlighting the necessity for a breather during this hectic time of year.
These closures coincide with Poundland’s recruitment of over 1,000 seasonal staff members across the UK and Ireland. According to Simon Wells, Poundland’s people director, their employees are ‘brilliant’ and especially excel during the Christmas period. Recognising their hard work, the company finds it fitting to grant them an extended holiday.
The unified stance on Boxing Day closures underscores a growing recognition of the importance of employee well-being in the retail industry.
