A number of comments in last week's RetailWire discussion on stores opening on Thanksgiving Day talked about the negative effect such policies have on workers.
Anne Howe, founder of Anne Howe Associates and a member of the RetailWire BrainTrust, said, "If this craziness continues we're going to have a nation full of snarky retail associates who will be less and less willing to help shoppers because the industry has moved too far into controlling their lives, even on national holidays."
Not that it was any big secret, but many workers are unhappy about what they see as an intrusion into their personal lives. One Target worker was so upset that he took his unhappiness online to change.org with a petition that seeks to get the retailer to push back its holiday opening.
According to a CBS Detroit report, more than 40,000 individuals have joined with Anthony Hardwick, a Target employee based in Omaha, asking the company to move its Black Friday open back to 5:00 a.m. versus midnight.
"All Americans should be able to break bread with loved ones on Thanksgiving," said Mr. Hardwick. "With the midnight opening, employees like myself will have to leave for work right in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner. We don't mind hard work, but cutting into our holidays is a step too far."
A RetailWire poll found that 78 percent believe it somewhat/very likely that most big chains will eventually open on Thanksgiving Day.