Letters: Don’t make employees work on holidays

Many retail workers are not able to spend holidays with their families, so they should be paid time and a half for the work.

Thanksgiving especially is a hectic day to work, so they should only have to work four-hour shifts, since OSHA says that shorter work shifts “help counteract fatigue from highly cognitive or emotionally intense work.”

Holiday shifts should be voluntary so workers can decide if they want to miss family time or reschedule the holiday meal. That way the people who do work will be friendlier and have a better work ethic.

My grandma, who works at McDonald’s, said that she would gladly reschedule the holiday if she were getting paid time and a half and only worked four hours.

Doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters and other emergency personnel should have the same rights. However, emergency care is necessary, while retail is not. Retail is a convenience that should be paid for.

Please consider starting an online petition, not shopping on holidays or writing the CEO of Walmart, Target or other businesses that were open on Thanksgiving.

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 1:44 PM.