Three big supermarkets respond after they’re called out for making staff work on Boxing Day

Some stores have confirmed they will remain open on Boxing Day, despite calls to give retail staff a well-deserved break.

However, a selection of retailers including supermarkets have confirmed they will be giving staff time off over Christmas so they can spend time with family. 

Asda and Waitrose have said they will not be open on December 26th to give staff a break after a difficult 2020. Asda employees who were scheduled to work will still get paid. 

Unions have called for similar action across the sector, however, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Lidl will still be open on Boxing Day, meaning their staff will be working. 

Now, the big chains have responded.

A spokesperson for Morrisons told Kent Live: “We will be opening our stores on Boxing Day for a limited number of hours to help our customers.

“The well being of our colleagues remains a key priority to us and our stores are working hard to ensure all colleagues get a meaningful break during the Christmas period so they can spend quality time with their family, friends or loved ones.

“Working on Boxing Day is voluntary for our colleagues and they receive double pay and time back in lieu.”

They confirmed, however, that all frontline colleagues will receive a 6% bonus on their earning for the next 12 months rather than the usual 8-12 weeks. The statement explained: “The changes represent a bonus payment of £1,050 for a full-time frontline colleague compared to the £351 that would have been paid last year.”

Sainsbury’s has confirmed they will be open on Boxing Day but will be putting measures in place to give as many staff as possible the day off.

Bosses claim they have been accepting Boxing Day holiday requests where possible and staff had received financial bonuses.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “Our colleagues do a fantastic job and have worked incredibly hard this year, so we’re doing everything we can to make sure they are able to take some time to rest and enjoy the festive season with their families, including reducing opening hours in supermarkets on Boxing Day.

“We’re recruiting more colleagues into our business than ever before so that we can give as many people as possible the time off they have asked for. This includes 12,000 temporary colleagues to support us this Christmas. For colleagues that have requested it, we have made sure they are able to take at least two consecutive days off over Christmas.

“In recognition of the outstanding service given to customers every day throughout the pandemic by our colleagues, this year we made two thank you payments to frontline workers.”

Tesco has confirmed it will be open on Boxing Day with reduced hours. According to the BBC, staff will be reward with an extra 10% bonus over Christmas and New Year. 

The general trade union GMB’s national officer, Roger Jenkins said: “GMB has been requesting Asda to allow their key worker heroes family time over Christmas, so we are pleased they have agreed to our calls.

“It’s a shame this is not extra holiday – workers will have to book a day of their annual leave entitlement. GMB now calls on the rest of the retail sector to follow suit and repay these key workers with a chance to spend Boxing Day with their loved ones.”

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) welcomed Asda’s news of ‘doing the right thing by their staff’ but added that ‘we don’t think that is too much to ask for’.