My local non-profit YMCA is open 8-12 this Thanksgiving morning

[Silent3]

They aren't having a sale, they're just providing a few hours of service to their already signed-up members. I overheard a few employees talking in the locker room last night, and one was saying he was working today and didn't mind making a few extra dollars because he was available anyway.

Would you feel guilty about grabbing a morning workout under these circumstances?

I don't know if everyone working there today will be as happy about it as the guy I overheard last night, but I'm guessing staffing will be so minimal that they'd only need the people who are most willing to work today, who either don't have holiday plans or who can work their plans around these limited morning hours.

For myself, I fully intend to take advantage of these morning hours to burn off a 1000+ calories before feasting later in the day. I certainly don't see these limited hours as part of the Black Friday Gone Mad Big Profit Grab that I don't want any part of -- I won't be doing any shopping today.

[rucky]

1. Some people don't mind working on a holiday

When I worked at a supermarket, the shift was voluntary, but they knew they could staff it up because most of us wanted the holiday pay. So everybody who was in had a 4-hour shift for 8 hours of pay. A few others took that day as a paid vacation. It worked out for everyone - thanks to the UFCW.

[diabeticman]

2. Voluntary working and a workplace that gives time and a 1/2 is a place I don't mind. Yes unions

have a lot of making that happen.


It would be nice if businesses did this on their own.

[SheilaT]

3. The operative word is voluntary.

It's one thing if you work in a field that needs to staff every day of the week, including weekends and holidays. I work in a hospital and I'm working 9am to 8pm today, but they give employees the holiday meal free.

I've also been an airline employee and worked many, many holidays.

But retail? They don't need to be open today. Nor do many grocery stores. And so on. If something like a Y chooses to be open and can staff completely from volunteers, that's just fine. But the stores that are open more or less all day today and have told employees they can't have today off are beyond despicable. Especially as you can be sure that the managers who made this decision are home eating.

[taterguy]

4. I'd find another place to workout

Sure their staff is going to 'volunteer.'

In this day and age if your boss asks you to do something you do it, because you know how easy it would be to find a replacement.

I don't give a damn if they're 'non-profit', still a shitty way to treat employees.

Besides, it's not a bad idea to set aside one day a week to rest, even if you're the most hardcore fitness freak.

[lame54]

5. off by noon - home by dinnertime...

nothing wrong with that
when you HAVE to be at work when dinner is being served - that's just greed(by the employer)

[taterguy]

7. What if your dinner is at 11:00 AM?

[Paulie]

9. That's Elevenses

[Democracyinkind]

6. As long as no one is pressured - even indirectly - and gets to go home in the evening, fine with me.