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Christmas is not working

Shopworkers deserve a proper break over the festive period

Sign the petition

About this campaign

Shopworkers deserve a proper break over the festive period. We want retailers to put their hardworking staff first and allow them to get more time with their loved ones by cutting down on store opening hours.

Until staff in the retail industry have more time outside of work during the festive period then Christmas simply isn’t working for everyone.

How to support the campaign

The Christmas period is stressful enough for everyone, but it’s even worse for many in retail and in connected jobs like warehouse and distribution. Boxing Day sales mean many can’t even enjoy Christmas Day properly, having to be back in work early the following morning once again.

You can support the campaign to reduce work over the festive period by signing our petition.

The impact of Christmas working on our members

More than three-quarters of workers surveyed said that working over the Christmas period means that they spend too little time with their loved ones. Most retail workers are put under pressure to work on Boxing Day, and that’s why 97% them believe shops should be shut on Boxing Day.

For too many people, Christmas isn’t a proper holiday from work and ends up being even busier and more stressful than the rest of the year.

We want retailers to close shops by 4pm on Christmas Eve, stay closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and ensure that workers don’t miss out on pay when shops are closed.

See what some of our members said:

Know your rights - Working over the Christmas period

We've put together a handy FAQ guide on your rights over the Christmas period.

Check it out, or feel free to ask us a question if you're still not sure.

What we've achieved

For the second year running, Poundland will be shut on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, as a thank you to their hard working staff.

Usdaw welcomes this move and urge more retailers to follow suit, in giving their staff a much needed break over the festive period.

Christmas is Not Working

"Is it too much to ask for our members to have a decent break at Christmas? Shops can open for 150 hours a week in the run-up to Christmas and beyond, and many do, so we think a two-day break for staff is not unreasonable.

"Our members deserve time to rest and recuperate. To spend time with their family and loved ones and to relax and enjoy the festivities. Instead, for many it is a case of getting home late on Christmas Eve, being shattered on Christmas Day and getting straight back to work on Boxing Day. That's no way to get the most out of your workforce, or to show that they are valued."

Dave McCrossen, Usdaw Deputy General Secretary

04 May 2025

"It has long been Usdaw's position that stores should not open on Boxing Day. The run up to Christmas is the busiest time in retail. It's an extremely important trading period, providing bumper profits for businesses and ensuring that the nation can celebrate Christmas Day.

"To deliver those profits, retail staff, and those in the supply chain, work tirelessly throughout December. It can be a very stressful time to work right across the retail sector. Peak trading, long hours, and, for those in stores, unacceptable spikes in abuse from customers, who think it is OK to take out their frustrations on shop staff. All of this adds up to an exhausted workforce by the time stores finally close on Christmas Eve."

Dave McCrossen, Usdaw Deputy General Secretary

04 May 2025

"We don’t think it is too much to ask to give shopworkers the longest possible break over Christmas and New Year. We now hope that other retailers will follow suit, by closing their stores to help workers enjoy the festive season and give them a well-deserved breather.

“Where companies do open their stores, we urge them to ensure that they are only staffed by volunteers. Any Usdaw member with concerns about their working arrangements over the festive period should contact the union for advice.”

Bally Auluk - Usdaw national officer on Poundland closing all stores on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

23 October 2024

"We know it [Christmas] can be a very stressful time, busy stores, long hours and unacceptable spikes in abuse, as frazzled customers take out their frustrations on shop staff. This all adds up to an exhausted workforce, by the time stores finally close on Christmas Eve. Our members deserve time to rest and recuperate, to spend time with their family and friends, to relax and enjoy the festivities."

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

28 April 2024

"Each year, the union engages employers in discussions over their festive working arrangements and each year, amongst other things, we press on retailers the importance of closing early on Christmas Eve and when we talk about an early close, we mean just that.

“We have for many years said that retailers should close by 4pm at the latest. We believe this is a reasonable and fair ask and importantly, it gives our members the ability to get home and prepare for the festivities."

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

23 April 2024