Marks and Spencer has revised its policy for working on Boxing Day, affecting a significant number of employees. According to internal documents obtained by the Guardian, all staff are now required to work on either December 26, 27, or 28. This marks a departure from the voluntary system in place for the past five years.
Approximately a quarter of store employees will now work solely on Boxing Day, with the option to take the day off as holiday if they choose not to work. While large Marks and Spencer stores will remain closed on Boxing Day, the company is looking to have more staff present to prepare for reopening on December 27.
Reports indicate that a substantial percentage of permanent and seasonal workers did not work during peak days last year. In addition to Boxing Day, employees are expected to be available to work on December 22, 23, and 24 in the lead-up to Christmas.
Jayne Wall, the operations director at Marks and Spencer, expressed gratitude for the hard work of employees during the holiday season. She mentioned that while some staff are typically on duty on Boxing Day for store resets, this year will see an increase in the number of employees working to ensure a smooth reopening on December 27.
In a gesture of appreciation, Marks and Spencer had kept its stores closed on Boxing Day in 2020 to acknowledge the efforts of its staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. The recent changes were implemented before a cyber attack in April, which is projected to cost the company around £300 million.
The cyber attack disrupted the company’s IT systems, impacting payments and click-and-collect orders. Customer data, including personal information, was compromised. However, there is no evidence that the stolen data has been shared, and sensitive information like payment details and passwords were not accessed.
Customers are advised to remain cautious if contacted by individuals claiming to represent Marks and Spencer. The company ensures that it is taking necessary measures to address the cyber breach and protect customer data.