Should shop workers get time off on Boxing Day?

WELL done to Asda for giving its employees a proper Christmas break. Anyone who has worked in retail will tell you that time off at this time of year is usually minimal. Many chain stores insist employees work until late on Christmas Eve to prepare for the Boxing Day sale, which often starts at 6am. I hope other retailers follow Asda’s lead and start caring more for their staff, who deserve a two-day break after what has been a very difficult year for frontline workers.

A. PETTIGREW, Haslingden, Lancs.

THE only M&S branches that traditionally opened on Boxing Day were the largest stores and those in retail parks and shopping centres. But this year staff were at first told all stores would open on December 26. This upset sales assistants who have worked through the pandemic and had to endure aggressive behaviour from customers. Now M&S has announced no stores will be open on Boxing Day ‘to allow staff to spend more time with their families’. Will they have to make up the time during Christmas week?

A. CONWAY, address supplied.

CONGRATULATIONS to Aldi and Asda who have decided to close their doors on Boxing Day. It’s only right that this time for families and chilling out is being treated as special. It makes business sense, too. More goods will be bought before a two-day store closure.

J. BARSTOW, pulborough, W. Sussex.

I AM shocked some supermarkets are opening on Boxing Day. Morrisons say it is for the customers — no, it is for their profits.

PAULINE FINN, address supplied.

AS A police officer in the Noughties, I patrolled supermarkets in the run-up to Christmas. This was appreciated by customers and staff, prevented crime and made the police visible to the biggest gathering of people in town. Apparently, officers haven’t got time to do this now.

JAKE SMITH, Abingdon, Oxon.