Marks and Spencer has altered its policies regarding Boxing Day work shifts, affecting a significant number of employees. According to internal documents obtained by the Guardian, all staff members are now required to work on either December 26, 27, or 28. This change comes after five years of the company seeking volunteers to work on Boxing Day.
Approximately a quarter of store employees will now be scheduled to work on Boxing Day exclusively, with the option to book the day off as holiday if preferred. While the larger Marks and Spencer stores will remain closed on Boxing Day, the retailer aims to have additional staff present to prepare for reopening on December 27.
It has been noted that over 40% of permanent and 30% of seasonal staff did not work during peak days in the past. The revised schedule also includes mandatory availability for work on December 22, 23, and 24 in anticipation of the Christmas rush.
Jayne Wall, M&S’s operations director, expressed gratitude for the dedicated efforts of the company’s employees, emphasizing the importance of their contributions to the holiday shopping experience. She mentioned that this year, more employees will be working on Boxing Day than in previous years to ensure a smooth transition for customers on December 27.
M&S began keeping its stores closed on Boxing Day in 2020 as a gesture of appreciation for staff members’ hard work during the Covid-19 pandemic. The recent changes were implemented prior to an April cyber attack that is projected to cost the company around £300 million.
The cyber attack, discovered during the Easter weekend, disrupted various systems, causing issues with payments and click-and-collect orders. The breach also led to disruptions in logistics and distribution, resulting in some empty shelves in stores. Customer data, including names, email addresses, and dates of birth, was compromised.
Shoppers are advised to exercise caution if contacted by individuals claiming to represent M&S. In an email to customers, Jayne Wall assured that there is no evidence of the leaked data being shared and that sensitive payment information or account passwords were not compromised.