By the time you’re in your 20’s, it’s pretty safe to say that most of us have attempted Black Friday shopping at least once before. However, not a lot of college students have experienced working retail on Black Friday – but consider yourself lucky if you haven’t. Many people don’t realize all the effort that even part-time employees have to give in order to make it a success.
Coming from a girl on her third year, this is what it’s actually like to work retail on Black Friday.
No Family Time on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a holiday to give thanks and show our appreciation for each other. While most people often spend time with their families, retail employees usually have to work. While there’s still a small handful of people who don’t mind working on Thanksgiving (getting paid time and a half is a great incentive!) most people would rather spend time with their family members that they see once or twice a year. And even if you end up getting off on Thanksgiving, you’ll still be working the day after. Most stores do not allow exceptions to this; Black Friday is usually a mandatory shift.
Crazy Hours
Although Black Friday hours vary each year depending on the store, they’re always going to be crazy. The mall that I work in stayed open for 24 hours straight the past two years – 10PM on Thanksgiving until 10pm on Black Friday. This year, we’ll be open 6PM to 2AM on Thanksgiving night, and then 6AM to 9PM on Black Friday.
There’s also a really high chance that you’ll work more than one shift between the two days. You might have to come in early, go home to sleep, then come back later for a second shift. Or you might work 14 hours straight. Were you supposed to leave at 5PM? Probably, but you’ll end up having to stay an extra hour and a half until there is enough coverage.
Oh, and you probably won’t even get to take all of your breaks. You’ll be too busy helping the customers that are lined up behind you, waiting for help. There’s also no such thing as too much caffeine on Black Friday because chances are you won’t sleep very well.
You Work in a Zoo
We all know how crazy it gets on Black Friday. There are an insane amount of fights, whether they are over the last product or who’s next on line. Customers will fight like animals, make a mess like animals and treat us hard-working employees like we’re the animals (They tend to forget it’s not my fault that the line is wrapping around the store.)
If you’re lucky enough to take your breaks, you won’t even be able to leave your store. Getting to the food court and back will take up your entire break. And as for the disaster that the store looks like at the end of the night? Imagine having to clean it up, not able to leave until the store looks perfect. So if you do go shopping this Friday, think again before you throw things around!
Anxiety
Black Friday will give every retail worker the worst anxiety they have ever experienced. We are constantly stressed and worried about doing the right thing, the huge crowds of people everywhere do not help and the stock rooms are piled to the ceiling, so walking back there makes you feel claustrophobic. I’m also a firm believer that all malls should be closed the day after Black Friday. Both customers and employees desperately need a break after such a stressful day.
If you’ve never worked retail on Black Friday before, I am so jealous of you because this is exactly what it’s like to work retail on the busiest and most stressful day of the year!
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