Today is Labor Day, for most people a holiday from work. But in retail, it’s a big day for sales and many retail employees are working. If your store is open on holidays, it's your opportunity to make a great impression not only on your shoppers, but your employees as well.
No one likes to walk into a store that has unhappy sales associates, and too often that's how they look if they're working on a holiday. Each holiday comes but once a year, so here are some ways to make them more palatable for your staff:
1. Start out by asking for volunteers to work on an upcoming holiday. If people are working voluntarily, they're less likely to be upset about it and let it show to customers. If you can afford it, offer a little extra money for a holiday shift to sweeten the pot and encourage volunteers.
2. If you have to assign people to work, do it fairly. The same people shouldn’t have to work every holiday. Explain your holiday scheduling strategy. Being an owner has its privileges, but your employees will appreciate it if you as the owner take your turn on holidays as well.
3. Do something special for your staff to recognize their contribution while the rest of their family and friends are off having fun. Buy them lunch, or let them pick out something from the store to take home that day with a dollar value of your choosing.
4. If you’re not working with them, call the store and let them know you appreciate that they’re working that day.
5. If it's feasible and you're so inclined, call them and tell them to close up an hour early. Even an hour of unexpected free time feels special.
6. Allow employees to skip normal closing procedures (except for money handling.) Let the next morning's crew do the straightening and vacuuming the day after a holiday.
Most people that work in retail understand that working some holidays comes with the territory. When you manage the holiday schedule fairly and show special appreciation for their contribution on these days, your staff will be happier and your customers will notice it.
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