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Asda has announced plans to remain closed on Boxing Day after one of the most challenging years on record for supermarket and frontline staff.
The chain’s chief executive, Roger Burnley, said workers have done “an incredible job” this year, as he confirmed that all 631 branches will be closed on December 26.
The grocer said the decision was in response to the government’s coronavirus guidelines, which means that households will only be able to meet between December 23 and 27.
“This is, of course, our busiest time of the year,” Burnley said.
(Image: Getty Images)
“But it was important for us to give as many of you as possible the opportunity to spend this time with those loved ones that you may not have seen in many months, so for this year alone, we will not reopen our stores until the 27th. from December. . “
Waitrose, John Lewis, Aldi, Wickes, Home Bargains, Homebase, Pets at Home and The Entertainer have also announced that they will remain closed, although this is normally when Boxing Day sales begin.
Poundland announced the decision to close in April, after giving staff an additional week of “thank you” leave.
Union representatives have long asked retailers to give their staff “the longest possible break during the holiday season.”
Usdaw Secretary General Paddy Lillis said: “When the country faced a crisis like no other in our lifetime, store workers stepped up and kept essential services running.
“They continued to work and faced increased levels of violence and abuse, as well as being concerned about contracting COVID-19.”
(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
GMB described the announcement as a “step in the right direction”, but national official Roger Jenkins added: “It is a shame this is not an additional holiday; workers will have to reserve a day of their annual leave entitlement.”
It came when the big four rivals, Sainsbury’s, announced that it will open on Boxing Day, however, with slightly reduced opening hours.
“I have been a Sainsbury’s worker for 22 years and we have never had a Christmas to spend with our family,” an employee told The Mirror.
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“Two days maximum. It is always money before welfare.”
Another employee told us that she was asked to work her full shift to help replenish stocks before trading, even though the opening hours were shortened from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Marks & Spencer had planned to open more than 200 of its stores on Boxing Day, but then took a 180 degree turn in light of the Christmas circuit breakdown.
At the time, M&S CEO Steve Rowe said, “This Christmas, the celebrations we will have will be more precious than ever.”
He said closing Boxing Day was “a great decision, but it is absolutely the right one given the incredible effort that everyone has put in under the most challenging circumstances.”
More than a million people are expected to work on Christmas Day this year, despite ongoing staggered restrictions, with doctors, nurses and postal personnel among whom will be called in for shifts.
However, you may be entitled to additional pay or time in lieu of hours worked.
Check out our guide to double paying at Christmas here.
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