Has the Five-Day Week Had its Day?

Tuesday, 10 April 2012 19:14

Some contend that the traditional five-day week has had its day and businesses should be allowed to operate whenever they want. A natural and necessary step for competitiveness, or is it another tear in the fabric of society? What do you think?

According to surveys, consumers are looking more to shopping when it suits them, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays. We know retailers will have to pay a penalty rate for their staff and are paying double time on a Sunday.

Some retailers say they cannot afford to pay the penalty rates, and cannot afford to open. But there are some staff, particularly young people, who love to work those hours. The people who like to work weekends and public holidays are young and often mothers with young children where there may have been a divorce so dad has got the kids on every second week or they are trying to pay the mortgage off. Dad is at home and can take the kids to sport and mum can go to work. They are happy to share that responsibility to ensure they have extra money coming in.

Now we have only 4½ days where the major retailers are closed so has the five-day week had its day. Should our retailers be able to open when they like and should the smaller retailers be given some sort of incentive if they work staff on Sundays and public holidays

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According to surveys, consumers are looking more to shopping when it suits them, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays. We know retailers will have to pay a penalty rate for their staff and are paying double time on a Sunday.

BARRY MAC'S BLOG

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