Sunday Trading Laws

DailyGeek · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:21

It's not just shop staff though, it's all the manfacturing and logistics that goes with supplying a retailer. Also you'll find most retail head offices and management where possible take all sundays (or weekeneds) all public holidays and a nice long christmas break without a thought for it's frontline staff.

I no longer work in retail, and haven't for some time, but I have worked 60 hour weeks with just christmas day off for christmas, for essentially a pittance compared to others that have to work such shifts.

Those saying retailers aren't the only ones to work long days or sunday or through christmas are correct. A certain amount of pay tends to go to those in emergency services, petrol stations etc through christmas periods. Not so for retail staff.

Oh, and I had my Sunday Working opt-out form (a legal right for staff) completely disregarded by a regional manager several years ago, who told me he'd make life difficult for me if I didn't work Sunday's. I was 17 at the time. Good old retail management.

Bumhucker · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:22

AcidHell2 said:
they are 7 days a week.

Thanks. Which is why I'd like to keep the Sunday trading law and to stay shut on Boxing Day.

OpenToSuggestions · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:23

A friend moved from the UK to Texas and works at Walmart.

The store doesn't close...........................at all.

Glaucus · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:25

Bumhucker said:
Thanks. Which is why I'd like to keep the Sunday trading law and to stay shut on Boxing Day.

Laws should be about facts and reasons. What reason is there for Sunday trading laws? Other people will want to work more on Sunday, what gives you the right to want to dictate to them.

DailyGeek · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:26

lambda said:
If you are unhappy with the retail sector, then try to get a job in another sector.

Nobody is forced to work, we live in a relatively free society. If you are unhappy with the way you are treated in retail, then seek employment elsewhere.

Aside from the flippant way you tell people to try another sector, as if it's that easy to change careers path, particularly at the moment, the simple fact is that someone has to do these jobs, otherwise you'd have even less opening hours. There is not one retail worker in the country that would welcome longer hours on a Sunday, and that law was brought in to give a certain level of respect to staff, not to inconvenience customers. It was also brought in to stop supermarkets obliterating small shopkeepers

Honestly 6.25 days out of 7 your can go shopping, and the other 0.75 of a day per week you just have to shop in a smaller premises. It's not really anything to get the arse about.

Bumhucker · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:29

AcidHell2 said:
Laws should be about facts and reasons. What reason is there for Sunday trading laws? Other people will want to work more on Sunday, what gives you the right to want to dictate to them.

Because I also believe it's good to have time set aside for other things than shopping. Like other people have said, it can be family time or just a chance to relax. I'm sure it makes a valuable contribution against consumer culture in that people are forced to find other ways to spend their time (online shopping

?)

lambda said:
If you are unhappy with the retail sector, then try to get a job in another sector.

Nobody is forced to work, we live in a relatively free society. If you are unhappy with the way you are treated in retail, then seek employment elsewhere.
To be honest, the only way you can get treated with respect in any job is if you are well qualified or skilled.

Thankfully I'm qualified enough to move away from retail once one of my applications are successfull

I just feel sorry for all those who can't just change career path so easily

Glaucus · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:30

DailyGeek said:
There is not one retail worker in the country that would welcome longer hours on a Sunday,

yeah right, there will be many many people who would. When I worked at Asda I would have loved to of worked more hours at the weekend.

Bumhucker said:
Because I also believe it's good to have time set aside for other things than shopping. Like other people have said, it can be family time or just a chance to relax. I'm sure it makes a valuable contribution against consumer culture in that people are forced to find other ways to spend their time (online shopping ?)

Which is a silly argument as many other people have jobs that are 24/7. So that does not exist anyway.

Energize · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:32

It just wouldn't be Britain without pointless government interference like the sunday trading laws. As if there wasn't enough job shortages as it is at the moment...

DailyGeek · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:37

AcidHell2 said:
yeah right, there will be many many people who would. When I worked at Asda I would have loved to of worked more hours at the weekend.

Then you are weird, or conveniently making a point, cheers for the :rolleyes:

though, my first one. In 8 or so years of retail, I never met anyone (out of 100s) who would've been happy with longer Sunday trading hours. Even students and part-time workers.

Bumhucker · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:37

AcidHell2 said:
Which is a silly argument as many other people have jobs that are 24/7. So that does not exist anyway.

It's not just for the sake of the staff, but customers as well. I know that some jobs must be 24/7 but I don't agree with the relatively long working week we experience in the UK.

So I guess I can just move country?

Glaucus · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:39

DailyGeek said:
Even students and part-time workers.

and thats where you are lying many students can't work midweek meaning if they want money they need to do longer hours on weekend. Or parents or anyone else that has other stuff to do during the week.

You have to admit that was a stupid statement.

Bumhucker said:
It's not just for the sake of the staff, but customers as well.

but many customers work odd hours, why shouldn't we be able to go get some shopping in.

Bumhucker · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:43

AcidHell2 said:
but many customers work odd hours, why shouldn't we be able to go get some shopping in.

I guess if you work 24 hours a day Monday to Saturday and the hours of Sunday trading then yes you would need to have shops open 24 hours on Sunday. You are right.

Glaucus · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:45

Bumhucker said:
I guess if you work 24 hours a day Monday to Saturday and the hours of Sunday trading then yes you would need to have shops open 24 hours on Sunday. You are right.

The main point is, law should have basis in fact and sound reason. There is no valid reason for the law, therefore it should be removed.

You were the one who said customers benefited by closing, they don't.

Nick1881 · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:46

Hunt kill and cook you own food instead

Glaucus · 13 Dec 2009 at 20:47

mr_x_plosion said:
Hunt kill and cook you own food instead

I would if it was legal and easier.
wish I could carry an air rifle at work, wouldn't ever have to buy meat again.

Tummy · 13 Dec 2009 at 21:07

Feek said:
I used to like Sundays when the shops were closed.

Yup.

b0rn2sk8 · 13 Dec 2009 at 21:28

Since when does opening longer on a sunday mean more hours for you? You work your allotted 6/7/8/9/10 hours for the day and you go home. you must have agreed to work sundays when you signed your contract, what are you complaining about?

Why does everyone get ***** about working sundays (yes im talking to you train drivers etc ).

Its a fact that sunday is a day that you can do less on. a lot of tades are shut on sundays, it would be better to have a different day of where you can do more.

Oh and to the guy that was complaining about a 60 hours week, its actually illegal to work that many hours in a week and you can get fined.

Bumhucker · 13 Dec 2009 at 21:29

AcidHell2 said:
You were the one who said customers benefited by closing, they don't.

In your opinion, of course

Glaucus · 13 Dec 2009 at 21:38

b0rn2sk8 said:
Oh and to the guy that was complaining about a 60 hours week, its actually illegal to work that many hours in a week and you can get fined.

It's not if you sign the get out clause.

wez130 · 13 Dec 2009 at 22:11

Also, for a store to start opening all Sunday, would also mean hiring extra staff to cover the extra hours, a supemarket would need maybe 10 or so extra staff to operate, at £5.73 / hr from say 4pm till 10pm, that's an extra £343 wages to pay, having 6.5 days open already, i can't see it being worthwhile for them to open, particularly for the average family who cooks (or even goes out for) a sunday roast, i for one couldn't be arsed going out shopping on a sunday - even moreso after a sunday dinner. I think some of those in favour of it are just being awkward to try and make a point.