This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I work in retail, and there is something I think many Black Friday shoppers forget.
No employees at my store, which sells computers and other supplies, is allowed to have Thanksgiving night or Black Friday off. I don't blame the company, we have to remain competitive and be open on one of the busiest days of the year.
However, that doesn't change the fact that now I, along with some 15 coworkers, have to leave our families around 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Then we go home, after dinner is over, only to return to work in the morning with smiles on our faces. Despite the fact that we missed Thanksgiving meals, we must be friendly regardless of how impatient or demanding customers may be on Black Friday.
So, to those considering heading to stores for deals on Thanksgiving weekend, please keep in mind that the employees in the stores had to be there hours before you, and will remain there for hours after. I urge companies to go the way of REI and close on Black Friday but, since that is unlikely, please be nice to the employees you encounter. My coworkers and I appreciate it.
Landon Troester
Murray