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Health & Fitness

'Tis the (Retail) Season - a former employee and now-wife's perspective

Shopping on Thanksgiving evening may be exciting for some, but there are many who have no choice but to make sacrifices for those shoppers.


Whenever I see a frazzled or disgruntled retail associate, I
lightheartedly tell them that their spot is already reserved in heaven. That
joke [fact] always elicits a smile, even if just a glimpse. I say these words
with the wisdom of a former five-year retail employee. I’ve worked at all sorts
of locations in different CPG segments and in different capacities. And while I
am no longer employed in that industry, my wonderful, hard-working husband is.

 

You see, there are several types of people who work in
retail: the college students (me), the retirees, the in-betweeners, and the
lifers (my husband). Regardless of their classification or position, these
people are trying to make a living, just as you make a living doing what you
do. And when you are standing in line to voice your complaint/issue/woe-is-me
saga, you are probably the tenth (very dissatisfied) person they’ve seen by
nine in the morning. (How many unhappy people do you typically deal with by
that time?) They are empathetic, listening and problem-solving. They are adept,
adapting to each environment and customer. They are fearless, braving the
public’s ire daily. But most of all, they are PEOPLE, and not these obtuse, robotic
and callous sloths some perceive them to be. Did they sign up for this job? A
resounding “yes.” But also remember, they are just trying to make a living, too.

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I was disheartened to learn that certain retailers will be
open – not just at midnight of Black Friday – but at 8 P.M. on Thanksgiving.
Luckily, my husband’s company hasn’t taken that plunge, nor do I think [hope]
they will. Instead, he will be working until very late Wednesday evening and
back very early Friday morning. This scenario is still better than the
alternative, because I will get to spend all day with my beloved. It is our
son’s very first Thanksgiving after all. And it’s what we both signed up for,
knowing we’d never get to travel for Thanksgiving as long as he works in
retail.

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We are the lucky ones. There are those who are not –
Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, Toys-R-Us (et cetera) employees. I get that “times
are tough” and companies “need to capitalize their sales and blast the
competition.” I really do. But these companies, even after analyzing “what is
best for the customers and the company’s team,” are stealing time away from the
very people who work so hard to make their profits. There are probably a small
percentage of employees who don’t mind working, but I’d venture to guess that
most, in fact, do mind.

 

I will admit that I may browse the ad’s or even make a few
online purchases on Thanksgiving. Yet all of this is done while the Turkey is
cooking and the boys are taking naps. I will never leave my home or my family
to shop in a retail store on Thanksgiving Day. I will not be the customer that
facilitates earlier hours every year, until Thanksgiving is no longer a holiday
(similar to Easter). I do not agree with some people’s choice to go out and shop
on this holiday, but I will not judge them. I still challenge them to reflect
upon their choice to skip valuable family time to get that truly unbeatable
deal. Because there’s always going to be a better deal at a better time. And if
they still don’t heed that advice, I hope at least they treat the employees
with utmost respect. The employees deserve respect for sacrificing their time
and sleep to work for the can’t-missers’ feigned sale opportunity.

 

Regardless of your choice, Happy Thanksgiving!

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