More M&S staff to work on Boxing Day in effort to cut costs

Many Marks & Spencer staff will be expected to work on Boxing Day for the first time in five years as the retailer ditched its offer of an automatic holiday to cut costs.

- Sarah Butler

Workers said some colleagues were upset by changes to Christmas working, under which all staff must work at least one of 26, 27 and 28 December and be available to work all three days in the run-up to Christmas Day.

An M&S document seen by the Guardian said that last year more than 40% of permanent and 30% of seasonal workers did not work one of the peak days and, as this was not enough to restock shops sufficiently, this year “all colleagues must play their part to deliver a successful Christmas”.

It is understood that this year about a quarter of store staff will work on Boxing Day alone.