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Christmas is not working

Shopworkers deserve a proper break over the festive period

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About this campaign

Shopworkers deserve a proper break over the festive period. We want retailers to put their hardworking staff first and allow them to get more time with their loved ones by cutting down on store opening hours.

Until staff in the retail industry have more time outside of work during the festive period then Christmas simply isn’t working for everyone.  

How to support the campaign

The Christmas period is stressful enough for everyone, but it’s even worse for many in retail and in connected jobs like warehouse and distribution. Boxing Day sales mean many can’t even enjoy Christmas Day properly, having to be back in work early the following morning once again.

You can support the campaign to reduce work over the festive period by signing our petition.

The impact of Christmas working on our members

More than three-quarters of workers surveyed said that working over the Christmas period means that they spend too little time with their loved ones. Most retail workers are put under pressure to work on Boxing Day, and that’s why 97% them believe shops should be shut on Boxing Day.

For too many people, Christmas isn’t a proper holiday from work and ends up being even busier and more stressful than the rest of the year.

We want retailers to close shops by 4pm on Christmas Eve, stay closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and ensure that workers don’t miss out on pay when shops are closed.

See what some of our members said:

Know your rights - Working over the Christmas period

We've put together a handy FAQ guide on your rights over the Christmas period. 

Check it out or feel free to ask us a question if you're still not sure.

Christmas is Not Working

"We know it [Christmas] can be a very stressful time, busy stores, long hours and unacceptable spikes in abuse, as frazzled customers take out their frustrations on shop staff. This all adds up to an exhausted workforce, by the time stores finally close on Christmas Eve. Our members deserve time to rest and recuperate, to spend time with their family and friends, to relax and enjoy the festivities."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

28 April 2024

"Each year, the union engages employers in discussions over their festive working arrangements and each year, amongst other things, we press on retailers the importance of closing early on Christmas Eve and when we talk about an early close, we mean just that.

 

“We have for many years said that retailers should close by 4pm at the latest. We believe this is a reasonable and fair ask and importantly, it gives our members the ability to get home and prepare for the festivities."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

23 April 2024