Sundays & Bank Holidays

[10ClarionSt]

People should not be made to work on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Since the Tories changed the law on this, people have just been exploited by greedy and selfish companies.

[Oneeyedvic]

Why not? It's only a day. Nothing special about it anymore is there?

I also don't recall anyone being 'made' to work. Most people find out the hours and days of work before applying for /accepting a job. If they don't want to work on a Sunday, they shouldn't apply for a job that 'makes' them work on a Sunday

[LeMarchand]

No, no, no, no, no!

What you fail to realise is that the supermarkets, for instance, need to be open on such days (if not for longer). Tesco only made �1.6 billion profit last year. How are the directors supposed to afford a house in the Caribbean, a third Beemer and household staff? ;o)

I was in retail when the law changed, and whilst (in theory) there was a choice, it was fairly obvious that those that wanted to "get on" had better be prepared to work Sundays. As for new starters: retail is one of the few careers with promotion opportunities for those who are less academically inclined. The shops being open on Sundays (with a few exceptions) aren't providing vital services - they're mainly catering for either those who are too disorganised to shop at other times or those who can't think of anything more profitable to do than shop on Sundays.

When this subject comes up, I always ask those in favour of Sunday opening whether they would be willing to work Sundays and Bank Holidays themselves. I mean, they're just normal days.

[undercovers]

people should be free to work and shop when they wish - i think it is inappropriate for the government to maintain legislation preventing work and shopping on particular days based on mythical / religious factors.

[undercovers]

regarding bank holidays as i seem to remeber it employees have NEVER had any rights for time off on a bank holiday - it is a bit of a tradition but nothing more, for time off relating to these employees need to look at their contracts - maybe buggy can confirm this. have a nice weekend - undercovers

[Chessman]

Even though I firmly believe that the laws in this country should not be changed for people coming in, I also believe that people of different religions should be able to observe their Holy days.

However, as this is a Christian country, then really, to observe the Holiest days of the year, Christmas, Easter Sunday, and Good Friday, everything except the emergency services should be closed down. After all, what could be more important than observing the Birth, Death, and Re-Birth of your God, but this should only be for Christians, not for immigrant religions, people of these religions would still get their Holy days off, but thats all.

My minds still out on Sundays, but Bank Holidays, to me, are ordinary.

[Oneeyedvic]

I am assuming that everyone who is so against people working on a weekend never go out to the pub on a Sunday, never call for car/home insurance, never shop, or anything else.

Why should shop keepers get any special treatment. Do policeman/woman, firemen/women, pub workers get any special relief?

[Chessman]

Oneeyedvic, I assume your last post was meant for me, I apologise if i'm wrong.

Yes, I do the things you mention, because, (a), i'm not Christian or religious, (b), I only mentioned three days of the year, and (c), because the law says I can.

I was saying how I think it should be, not how it is, because if Christianity is not re-asserted, it will be overtaken by another that is not as tolerant.

[january_bug]

I get triple pay on a Bank Holiday. If I wasn't allowed by law to work on a Bank Holiday, then I'd be gutted!

Now, I wonder, did anyone here read the article in the Mail this week entitled "All staff to get 28 days holiday bosses told"?! It stated that in the 28 days, this can no longer be 28 including Bank Holidays, it must be 28 days PLUS bank holidays.

Did anyone read it?! I'll tell you why I'm asking in a bit...

[Chessman]

jan-bug, your lucky, I used to get double for Sundays and Bank Holidays, if I worked on a Bank Holiday, I also used to get a day in lieu. Now, its nomal pay for thos days, and if I don't work a BH, I lose a day out of my leave, can only get it back if I work the next one. Good luck to you, make the most out of it.

[january_bug]

Chessman - I realise I've told a lie!!! *gasps*

When I work for one catering agency, I get double for Sundays and Bank Hols, but treble for Xmas Eve & Day, and NYE & NYD. I worked NYE one year on �17/hr and was still being paid when I was at my mate's house sipping champers as the clock struck 12. That was a SWEET new years!

You're right though - those with the opportunities to earn a mint on Bank Holidays, and who want to, should really make the most of it. I do agree also though, that people shouldn't be forced to work them, unless they knowingly sign a contract that obliges them to.

[Chessman]

'10', I realise your point, but mine is, and of course you don't have to agree, and you probably won't, that unfortunately, because we'er talking about Sundays and Bank Holidays, you can't seperate them from religion, I know some BHs aren't religious, but some are.

[LeMarchand]

In most employment sectors, Saturday Bonuses, Double Time on Sundays and Triple on Bank Holidays are long gone.

[Oneeyedvic]

chessman - no it wasn't you I was aiming it at - it was partly general, partly at 10CS.

point is, that those retail staff who constantly complain about Sunday working are often in the pub on a Sunday - not caring about those people who are working.

Is there a problem if people are given the days off during the week instead. If someone works an average of 48 hours a week (which I reckon (but with no proof) is about average) over 5 days, does it actually matter which 5 days?

If religion is taken out of the equation, and Sunday hours are changed so that trading is all day every day, then 'weekends' become less important. Surely that is good for everyone - no longer big queues on the weekend, less confrontaion on a Friday / Saturday night in the pub etc

[LeMarchand]

Oneeyedvic, I see your point about retail staff/pubs - but traditionally, pubs have always been open Sundays. It's only since Maggie bowed to pressure from her cronies that shops have.

I very much doubt that all those who want Sunday to be a normal shopping day would be so keen if there was a 7 day working week in all sectors of employment. Previously, the vast majority of the population (the main exceptions being those in the emergency, entertainment and hostelry industries/services) were able to pretty much guarantee having Saturdays and Sundays free to spend time with friends/family. How would this work with people having different days off during the week? What if someone thinks "If the shops are open Sundays, why not all the offices/factories etc etc"?

[Oneeyedvic]

And I must confess I have no problem with a 7 day week - on the basis that people only work 5 days of them. What is the problem with working Sat & sun but not Mon & Tue if you so wish. Shops will be quiter at the weekend, business will have less peaks and troughs, can only see it as a good thing. People can work around which days they want as weekends to coincide with their family/friends.