Who is asking for a 24/7 society, although we pretty much already have that? All thats being questioned is why some people are more deserving of 'protection' than others, and why is the law based on something as arbitary as size?
Back when the Sunday Trading Law came in, it was the fear that with new trading hours, those in shops would face discrimination on the grounds of belief.
Now a generation after, if you want to not work Sunday in retail, the option to opt out still exists.
Though we are contracted at our warehouse any 5 from 7, we have resisted being forced to work regular Sunday. The business allows Muslims to leave work early, start late on Friday shifts, so could be discriminating against Christians to compel them to work.
However Easter is a special Sunday, the holiest of the Christian calander. For some who due to work do not get to church every Sunday. Today is one Sunday they want to go.
Sure we are in a multi cultural, multi faith country, but as the faith shifts to Islam in some communities, discrimination laws may be more of an issue.
Back when the Sunday Trading Law came in, it was the fear that with new trading hours, those in shops would face discrimination on the grounds of belief.
Now a generation after, if you want to not work Sunday in retail, the option to opt out still exists.
Though we are contracted at our warehouse any 5 from 7, we have resisted being forced to work regular Sunday. The business allows Muslims to leave work early, start late on Friday shifts, so could be discriminating against Christians to compel them to work.
However Easter is a special Sunday, the holiest of the Christian calander. For some who due to work do not get to church every Sunday. Today is one Sunday they want to go.
Sure we are in a multi cultural, multi faith country, but as the faith shifts to Islam in some communities, discrimination laws may be more of an issue.
That doesn't answer the question of why its based on the size of the premises.
They are protected...they don't have to work Sunday's....they can opt out....all shop workers & betting shop workers (with the odd exception to the rule).
In any normal job in the uk, unkess it specifically states in your contract you will be working sundays in your , they cannot force you to work them, unless you agree with them in writing, the legally cant force you to work them.
If you work in retail you can also refuse to work sundays by giving 3 months notice, the exceptions are if you have been working with the same employer since 1995, then you dont need to work them at all.
But, like in most low paid jobs, the staff are told this is your hours, and these are the days you will be working, if they dont like it they get told to leave, and if they dont leave they will be "pushed out", to make way for someone more flexible, in short shop staff need to work sundays.
Or sold marked down though i suspect they will have well covered themselves on dates labelling.
define "covered themselves"?, most supermarket stuff is made by outside companies, they wont date something 3 weeks in advance to have an extra day shelf life so it looks like it is still fresh if that is what you are suggesting.
I can't believe in 2015 we still have a law that prevents big shops from opening on Easter Sunday. I can understand Christmas Day but lets face it to most people Easter is just a normal Sunday with a bit of chocolate. It has nothing like the significance of Christmas day.
its down to the square footage of the store eg large morrisons/large asda are closed bot small outlets like iceland/small tesco can open,i know because i worked in a large morrisions and never worked easter sunday,its down to a bygone law i expect
its down to the square footage of the store eg large morrisons/large asda are closed bot small outlets like iceland/small tesco can open,i know because i worked in a large morrisions and never worked easter sunday,its down to a bygone law i expect
1994 Sunday Trading Act. Before then shops had to close on Sundays
In any normal job in the uk, unkess it specifically states in your contract you will be working sundays in your , they cannot force you to work them, unless you agree with them in writing, the legally cant force you to work them.
If you work in retail you can also refuse to work sundays by giving 3 months notice, the exceptions are if you have been working with the same employer since 1995, then you dont need to work them at all.
But, like in most low paid jobs, the staff are told this is your hours, and these are the days you will be working, if they dont like it they get told to leave, and if they dont leave they will be "pushed out", to make way for someone more flexible, in short shop staff need to work sundays.
Surely the same would apply to anyone deciding they no longer want to work on a day they are contracted to work?
Surely the same would apply to anyone deciding they no longer want to work on a day they are contracted to work?
It might be, but law states specifically sunday, if your contract makes no mention of sunday working, you dont need to work it, that may apply to whatever day you choose, i dont know, but the law mentions sunday by name.
In Northern Ireland we have it worse still. For the last two days our drinking has been ruined as well due to outdated nonsense about all this.
Frankly even back in more non commercialised time when I was young in the nineties, Easter was never a big deal. You get a few eggs and some time off work/school. The day has no specia, significance. I don't even think my mum has ever made any special Sunday roast for Easter sunday.
Not where I am, pubs were actually open this year on the last two days.
That doesn't answer the question of why its based on the size of the premises.
Might help to read the previous act, from 1950.
The first UK Supermarket opened in 1951.
Under the act restrictions were in place of what could be sold, eg you could sell papers and periodicals. It gave rise to the claim WHSmith could sell the News of the World but not a Holy Bible on a Sunday.
If you employed a worker, they could not work more than two Sundays a month, so the likes of WHSmith benefited in 1994 act, as say a student could if they wished work every Sunday.
I guess at the end of the day, the people in the know felt a family run shop, not employing other people would be under a certain size. Thus it allowed them to trade as they had done.
Now the big supermarkets use this, to open shops in communities previously they did not operate in, and use the law in ways too benefit them.
Of note prior to 1994, shops were required to observe half day openings.
And Supermarkets closed at 6pm, but could remain under the 1950 act open if I read right to 7.30 once a week.
During those days my father worked a day shift mon to fri, and half day Saturdays. Folk did not starve, they just organised shopping in the hours given..
Not agreeing with you doesn't mean people don't understand the argument. They just don't agree with it, as you don't agree with them.
It's good that you feel that way and you can imbue the day with whatever significance you like but you shouldn't want or expect everyone else to feel the same.
Personally I'd rather choose my own special days, rather than have them mandated by the state.
And I'm sure you do with regard to personal birthdays and anniversaries etc.
If you don't wish to recognise/celebrate Easter no one is forcing or expecting you to do so. The fact is - large shops and supermarkets are closed - what's the big deal?
Why do people need to shop every day of the week All year it's only Easter Sunday and Christmas Day that most shops shut
Nobody needs to shop every day of the week I agree. They had to in the old days, before we had a fridge or freezer but there is no need for it now. Don't let us do away with all the old Christian traditions, that would be sad.
I'm just happy for the staff who can enjoy a Sunday off for a change. I make sure I don't need to buy anything form a large store on Easter Sunday.
Totally agree. I'm as atheist as they come but it's great that everyone, or most have a chance to have a day off. Anyone who really needs every bloody Sunday to shop and can't have 1 out of 52 off really is very sad.
Comments
Back when the Sunday Trading Law came in, it was the fear that with new trading hours, those in shops would face discrimination on the grounds of belief.
Now a generation after, if you want to not work Sunday in retail, the option to opt out still exists.
Though we are contracted at our warehouse any 5 from 7, we have resisted being forced to work regular Sunday. The business allows Muslims to leave work early, start late on Friday shifts, so could be discriminating against Christians to compel them to work.
However Easter is a special Sunday, the holiest of the Christian calander. For some who due to work do not get to church every Sunday. Today is one Sunday they want to go.
Sure we are in a multi cultural, multi faith country, but as the faith shifts to Islam in some communities, discrimination laws may be more of an issue.
That doesn't answer the question of why its based on the size of the premises.
Or sold marked down though i suspect they will have well covered themselves on dates labelling.
In any normal job in the uk, unkess it specifically states in your contract you will be working sundays in your , they cannot force you to work them, unless you agree with them in writing, the legally cant force you to work them.
If you work in retail you can also refuse to work sundays by giving 3 months notice, the exceptions are if you have been working with the same employer since 1995, then you dont need to work them at all.
But, like in most low paid jobs, the staff are told this is your hours, and these are the days you will be working, if they dont like it they get told to leave, and if they dont leave they will be "pushed out", to make way for someone more flexible, in short shop staff need to work sundays.
I was on about a valid point to me I can go for a pint and put a bet on instead of work lol. I know the rule applies to the size of shops....
its down to the square footage of the store eg large morrisons/large asda are closed bot small outlets like iceland/small tesco can open,i know because i worked in a large morrisions and never worked easter sunday,its down to a bygone law i expect
It certainly isn't now.
Surely the same would apply to anyone deciding they no longer want to work on a day they are contracted to work?
Haha, I don't know who you work for, but people are not entitled to anywhere near this many holidays per year.
Haha, check your facts before you scoff.
Not where I am, pubs were actually open this year on the last two days.
Not where I live, they're open til 10. Off licences are though.
Because this is digital spy:D I bet if you wanted job centre's open on a bank holiday though, the same people would be foaming at the mouth with rage.
Might help to read the previous act, from 1950.
The first UK Supermarket opened in 1951.
Under the act restrictions were in place of what could be sold, eg you could sell papers and periodicals. It gave rise to the claim WHSmith could sell the News of the World but not a Holy Bible on a Sunday.
If you employed a worker, they could not work more than two Sundays a month, so the likes of WHSmith benefited in 1994 act, as say a student could if they wished work every Sunday.
I guess at the end of the day, the people in the know felt a family run shop, not employing other people would be under a certain size. Thus it allowed them to trade as they had done.
Now the big supermarkets use this, to open shops in communities previously they did not operate in, and use the law in ways too benefit them.
And Supermarkets closed at 6pm, but could remain under the 1950 act open if I read right to 7.30 once a week.
During those days my father worked a day shift mon to fri, and half day Saturdays. Folk did not starve, they just organised shopping in the hours given..
And I'm sure you do with regard to personal birthdays and anniversaries etc.
If you don't wish to recognise/celebrate Easter no one is forcing or expecting you to do so. The fact is - large shops and supermarkets are closed - what's the big deal?
Nobody needs to shop every day of the week I agree. They had to in the old days, before we had a fridge or freezer but there is no need for it now. Don't let us do away with all the old Christian traditions, that would be sad.
Totally agree. I'm as atheist as they come but it's great that everyone, or most have a chance to have a day off. Anyone who really needs every bloody Sunday to shop and can't have 1 out of 52 off really is very sad.