Target employee starts online petition protesting Target's BF hours

[luvmy3]

I agree with you. People who work in these places have families and lives too. Black Friday is very overrated IMO. It brings out the ugliness in human behavior. All so some idiot can get a flatscreen TV or some toy that their kid will forget about or break within 2 weeks.

Oh the irony

 

[Jey12]

I agree with you. People who work in these places have families and lives too. Black Friday is very overrated IMO. It brings out the ugliness in human behavior. All so some idiot can get a flatscreen TV or some toy that their kid will forget about or break within 2 weeks.

This is my problem, this statement here. Why are they so special that they don't have to work? Here I go again with the police, but if the shoe fits... What about the police worker who has to miss their family and their personal life on a holiday just so some idiot can go out and rob another person? What about the fire department employees. They have families and lives too. Why should they have to miss that time just because some idiot didn't take the proper precautions to prevent a fire in their home?

Just as an FYI 2 years ago I, an "idiot" stood in the TRU line at midnight, bought DD a S'mores pony for at that time $100 off. She loved the gift then, 2 weeks later, the next Christmas and she is sitting on it right now happily playing.

After I bought this item and a few others, I drove my ignorant self home and rested for just a few hours. Got back up and headed to work. We opened at 7am and I had to be there by 645. There were people lined up waiting for us to open too. I work at an veterinary clinic. I was there to work, the main reason being it's what I chose to do for a job and knew we'd be open when I took the job, and showing up just seemed like the right thing to do since I was scheduled and all. The main reason I ended up being there that day and the Saturday after black friday was because, (I'll refrain from your word choice), people who didn't know any better decided it would be a good idea to feed their dogs cooked turkey bones and meat. Why should I have to leave my family and my life on this holiday weekend? Because it's my job and I'm the one that decided it's where I wanted to work. I can leave at any time, I chose not to. Also thanks to the large amount of sick animals, because some people didn't know any better, I ended up working Sunday too. The notice I was given to work Sunday was passed on to me around noon on Saturday. I wasn't shocked because I expected it.

 

[arminnie]

Whine, whine, whine. It's not like Thanksgiving Day has some special rituals that require a day off. If you take the concept of being thankful you can express that any time. Eating turkey does not constitute giving thanks.

I rarely got Friday off so I've never shopped BF. Don't really feel the need to start now. That doesn't mean that others shouldn't do it.

I had a job teaching computer programming several years ago. I had to teach on Thanksgiving Day (also NY's Day, Christmas, 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day etc.)

It was certainly not a life or death job, nor was I told before being hired that this would happen. Yes, the students had to come in for class too. This was at a private company not a school.

I was also salaried so I got no extra money, nor did I get any make-up holidays. It just was needed so we did it. NO BIG DEAL! I lived. Even the year my parents came in from out of town.

All I hear is "I should be entitled......"

 

[maxiesmom]

The person who started the petition needs to suck it up or find another line of work. Our K-Marts were always open Thanksgiving day. I spent many Thanksgivings eating my dinner in the breakroom back in the early 90's.

Exactly.

Though I have to admit, some people seem pretty clueless that when you hire them for retail it means lots of weekends, and working some holidays. We have a new hire that told me yesterday she would like it if on Black Friday she could just hide in the stockroom. Ummm, no.

I also want to address the comment about how people are not used to working a late shift, and that makes it dangerous. Most retail people do not have a set schedule. They don't work all days or all nights, it is mostly a mix. With some overnight shifts thrown in. You learn pretty quickly how to deal with an incosistent schedule, and what you need to do to be at your best and work those crazy hours. Black Friday is no more dangerous that way than your normal work week.

 

[Aliceacc]

For starters, let me say I'm a teacher. So this isn't about me. And I'll add in that it's early in the morning and my thoughts are somewhat scattered.

It saddens me to see a holiday change its focus from Thanks to business. I love Thanksgiving. I love the idea behind it; that on one day each year we all stop and realize how very nice we have it. So many of us have a nice home, food on the table, so very much for which to be thankful.

That said, lots of people have always had to work. Think that big Macys parade just happens? Nope. Or that the railroad that gets you there runs itself? Nope. Or that the TV broadcasters who tell you how the weather will be have pre-recorded their news? Nope. Or that the guy at 7-11 who has your emergency cranberry sauce wouldn't rather be home? Nope. Or that the paramedics and doctors and firemen and cops have a day off? Nope.

Personally I do NOT shop on Thanksgiving or Christmas. (And I sincerely hope not to need the services of those paramedics, doctors, firemen or cops either.) But if my power goes off, I'm making a phone call and expecting help.

We all have work responsibilites that make it WORK. And sometimes the things we're called on to do for our jobs are rough. (Last year I went to FIVE funerals for people our school lost. And as a teacher at those wakes and funerals, we're on duty helping our kids get through the rough times; our personal grief has to wait a bit.)

I think I would be far more inclined to sign a petition aimed at SHOPPERS than at workers. When you get a job in retail, it's understood that the period from Thanksgiving until Christmas is your busy season, and that Thanksgiving will have to suffer. Sad, but true. My sister is an accountant; it's a shame that the days leading up to April 15th are so busy, but such are the demands of her job. My brother works for the phone company; his end of August plans were changed abruptly by Hurricane Irene.

But if the consumers in the US decided that this Thursday really WAS a day about giving Thanks and not shopping, the stores would close.

So I guess what I'm asking is this: What if they threw a sale and nobody came?? All of those names on the petition-- are you OK with doing without that emergency cranberry sauce on Thursday? (Because retail is retail; 7-11 is no different from Target.) What if you have a headache; are you OK doing without a CVS run until Friday?

I think we as a society want it both ways; we want our precious holiday time, but we also want those sales and the convenience that come with asking other people to give up their holiday.

As for me: I will not buy anything (online or otherwise) on Thursday. But I will be at Kohls at about 5 am Friday. Not necessarily because of any killer bargains, but because I love the palpable excitement. I chat with the people on line and with the cashiers. I do NOT complain about the crowds or the lines; I have a lot of fun that day.

Here's to a Happy Thanksgiving, and a Thank You to all the people who do have to work it.

 

[C.Ann]

It saddens me to see a holiday change its focus from Thanks to business. I love Thanksgiving. I love the idea behind it; that on one day each year we all stop and realize how very nice we have it. So many of us have a nice home, food on the table, so very much for which to be thankful.

Or that the paramedics and doctors and firemen and cops have a day off? Nope.

Personally I do NOT shop on Thanksgiving or Christmas. (And I sincerely hope not to need the services of those paramedics, doctors, firemen or cops either.) But if my power goes off, I'm making a phone call and expecting help.

These people have always had to work - and be away from their families - because they are vitally necessary serivces - buying a flat screen tv is not..

But if the consumers in the US decided that this Thursday really WAS a day about giving Thanks and not shopping, the stores would close.

So I guess what I'm asking is this: What if they threw a sale and nobody came?? All of those names on the petition-- are you OK with doing without that emergency cranberry sauce on Thursday? (Because retail is retail; 7-11 is no different from Target.) What if you have a headache; are you OK doing without a CVS run until Friday?

And my answer to that would be, how did we manage before stores were open 24/7? Or back when stores weren't open on Sundays? We planned ahead (like we do for those snowstorms - LOL) and we didn't come apart at the seams..

I think we as a society want it both ways; we want our precious holiday time, but we also want those sales and the convenience that come with asking other people to give up their holiday.

Some do, some don't - that's why there are also consumers signing the petition..

Here's to a Happy Thanksgiving, and a Thank You to all the people who do have to work it.

And the same from me..

 

[Colleen27]

I agree with you. People who work in these places have families and lives too. Black Friday is very overrated IMO. It brings out the ugliness in human behavior. All so some idiot can get a flatscreen TV or some toy that their kid will forget about or break within 2 weeks.

That's only one small part of it, though, and not the norm everywhere. I don't go to Target or anywhere with "mart" in the name and we've never seen that kind of craziness. At the mall we go to and the craft stores it is a very friendly atmosphere, kind of like camping out in line for concert tickets back in the day.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

That's only one small part of it, though, and not the norm everywhere. I don't go to Target or anywhere with "mart" in the name and we've never seen that kind of craziness. At the mall we go to and the craft stores it is a very friendly atmosphere, kind of like camping out in line for concert tickets back in the day.

Same here. I LOVE the camaraderie of black friday around here. There is no fighting, nothing even remotely close to that. 5pm traffic is more hostile than Black Friday, in my experience.

As for me: I will not buy anything (online or otherwise) on Thursday. But I will be at Kohls at about 5 am Friday. Not necessarily because of any killer bargains, but because I love the palpable excitement. I chat with the people on line and with the cashiers. I do NOT complain about the crowds or the lines; I have a lot of fun that day.

Same here!

As for this post

These people have always had to work - and be away from their families - because they are vitally necessary serivces - buying a flat screen tv is not..

The Macy's parade isn't a vitally necessary service either. Neither is Disney World, Universal and other theme parks that operate 365 days a year. Neither are all the restaurants that are open every Thanksgiving and Christmas and require their waitstaff, hostesses, et al. to work the holidays too. Neither are hotels, casinos, cruise ships, air travel, the list goes on... None of these are necessary to survive, but they all operate on the holidays.

ETA: Just to clarify, I am not in favor of the midnight openings AT ALL. I just don't see a difference between retail and all the other things I listed in the above paragraph.

 

[marie1203]

No, this isn't overly dramatic at all
These jobs can be compared to eachother in the sense that when you enter a certain profession (and yes retail is a profession) you have to expect certain things. Being scheduled to work late Thanksgiving night before the (traditionally) biggest shopping day of the year shouldn't come as a surprise to ANYONE that works in retail, whether it is a stock clerk, cashier, security or manager. Just as it isn't a surprise to a Police Officer, Doctor, Nurse, Fireman when they have to work.

If there are people who want to sign the petition, great, exercise your right. However lets not get overly dramatic. First of all its not flat out greed, its called keepibg up with the demand of the consumer. I'm not greedy because I want to save $100 on an item, heck in this economy its a necessity. Stores are not greedy because they want to "get themselves out of the red" so that they can continue to operate and pay their employees. And lets not forget that not everyone celebrates the Holidays the same, some people do not need to spend the 24 hours of Thursday visiting every single member of their family. Some people are thankful for employment and more than happy to work whatever shift is available or given to them. And there are those who normally avoid BF like the plague (like me) who would be more than willing to go out at 9 Pm or midnight to save myself the trouble of going out Friday. In the end, I guess we will see what happens next year, but I have a feeling we will be seeing this all over again. Times are changing, this is the new tradition. Don't like it, by all means don't participate. And certainly don't enter the field of retail if you ever find yourself searching for a job.

. I worked retail in high school and worked every single black friday and never complain if you got a job in retail and didn't expect this then it is on you. If I remember right you got paid time and a half too. Then I guess military wives should start a petition to have our husbands/wives homes every holiday too .

 

[Planogirl]

That's only one small part of it, though, and not the norm everywhere. I don't go to Target or anywhere with "mart" in the name and we've never seen that kind of craziness. At the mall we go to and the craft stores it is a very friendly atmosphere, kind of like camping out in line for concert tickets back in the day.

I went to a local Target last year and the line was very long but people were friendly and polite. I didn't see any of the pushing or nastiness. Of course Target hands out tickets so maybe that keeps people under control.

 

[LisaNJ25]

. I worked retail in high school and worked every single black friday and never complain if you got a job in retail and didn't expect this then it is on you. If I remember right you got paid time and a half too. Then I guess military wives should start a petition to have our husbands/wives homes every holiday too .

Kind of silly to compare the military or even hospitals, police, fireman etc... they are normal around the clock jobs.. selling toys or clothes.. not so much needed around the clock.

 

[NMW]

Sorry, but this article made me laugh. The "rich" taking advantage of the middle class. Give me a break. The richest people I know do NOT shop on black Friday. Their time is more valuable to them than the $100 or so dollars they may save!

I don't feel sorry for the employees. They knew when they applied for that job that black Friday is the biggest day of the year in retail. Did they honestly expect that with most stores opening at midnight on Thursday night, they wouldn't have to work??

 

[Lewisc]

Some Target employees (including the one that posted right in this thread) are scheduled to work Thanksgiving morning until around lunch time to get the store ready for Black Friday.

I think some people in this thread don't have a heart. The question isn't just stores being open at midnight, or even Thanksgiving Day. The questions isn't even if people working in retail should expect to have to work those hours.

Target didn't think this through. Assuming the posters are accurate Target gave 2 weeks notice that some employees would be required to work Thanksgiving Day in order to stock shelves. I've read Target had to change the hours for MA stores since employees can't work on Thanksgiving Day. Target should have known this before announcing hours.

All of those names on the petition-- are you OK with doing without that emergency cranberry sauce on Thursday? (Because retail is retail; 7-11 is no different from Target.) What if you have a headache; are you OK doing without a CVS run until Friday?

Some parts of the country still have Sunday "blue laws". Some stores are allowed to open limited hours to accommodate real needs such as asprin. I'm not sure if the criteria is the type of store, number of square feet, sales volume or some combination.

Stores like CVS and 7-11 would probably be allowed to open. Stores like Best Buy and TRU not.

 

[Colleen27]

Sorry, but this article made me laugh. The "rich" taking advantage of the middle class. Give me a break. The richest people I know do NOT shop on black Friday. Their time is more valuable to them than the $100 or so dollars they may save!

I don't feel sorry for the employees. They knew when they applied for that job that black Friday is the biggest day of the year in retail. Did they honestly expect that with most stores opening at midnight on Thursday night, they wouldn't have to work??

It is a rather good illustration of the fact that in America, everyone self-identifies as middle class... even folks making minimum wage who lack enough marketability in the workforce to go elsewhere if they don't like having to work on major holidays.

I do feel sorry for the employees, because most don't have the ability to just go elsewhere and because this is a retail trend that is new in the last few years. Even 3-4 years ago, Black Friday meant super-early openings with some people working graveyard Thanksgiving night to get ready, not missing dinner to stock shelves. And to me this is part and parcel of the Walmart-effect - anything to save a buck, even if it means choosing goods made in foreign sweatshops by children over companies that treat employees well, and even if it means expecting the lower/working class to give up their holiday to cater to cheaper-more-NOW American materialism.

 

[mjbaby]

Sorry, but this article made me laugh. The "rich" taking advantage of the middle class. Give me a break. The richest people I know do NOT shop on black Friday. Their time is more valuable to them than the $100 or so dollars they may save!

I didn't read the article, but when I saw this comment, I assumed it meant the "rich shareholders" taking advantage of the "middle class store personnel" by compelling them to work.

Whether or not my interpretation is correct or not, I agree that anyone taking a retail job needs to come to grips with the fact that working certain days is part of the job description. In my retail days I HATED working the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, the day after Christmas, New Year's Eve, etc. but that's the breaks. And it's not limited to retail workers, either - just ask a restaurant server, hospitality worker, the people working your friend's NYE party, the doctor who pulled call, the nurses on the floor, the cops keeping us safe, etc.

I'm not sure why this guy thinks he should be special. ETA: I just saw the remark about not comparing retail workers to other "around the clock" jobs. Fair enough. But really, society changes and not always in ways that won't make us miss "the good old days". See also: twice daily mail delivery, milkmen, and/or blacksmiths.

 

[JB2K]

And i work for disney and am going to be working an 11 hr shift on Tgiving, which I am not complaining about becasue disney is a vacation destination..but retail..please!! ya know..its Christmas, it isnt about buying stuff!!!

I wouldn't say that too loudly, since many of the parks' profits come directly from the sales of retail merchandise (you know - the old "ride an attraction, get off the attraction, and go through the related gift shop" thing).

 

[JB2K]

Something else for you Budget Boarders to chew-on...

...when people interview for jobs with any of the big retail stores, one of the usual questions covers their work availability (specifically, Sundays and holidays). If people like "Petition Boy" have issues with working on these days, they need to make it known during the interview -- that way, employer and employee have no surprises.

As for Target, this "working on Thanksgiving" thing is nothing new -- they always have a sizeable BF setup crew working inside the store between the Wednesday night closing and the BF opening. You don't think all those unique displays and pallets for BF magically appear while the employees are at home in a turkey coma, do you?

What about Kmart?? They have been open for business on Thanksgiving Day for 10 years -- I have never seen any of you beating them up for this practice (actually, I have seen entire threads dedicated to what Budget Boarders find at Kmart while everyone else is at home doing the turkey thing). Last time I checked, Kmart has workers, too...

Personally, I think "Petition Boy" (a.k.a. the puppet of anti-retail groups) is just trying to make some noise so he can get his 15 minutes of fame.