Working Black Friday/Thanksgiving?

sarahsaurus-2

Hi everyone! I'm just curious how many moms-to-be are working in retail and will be working black friday/Thanksgiving shifts (or moms who have worked these shifts in previous pregnancies)?

I'm not too bothered by working these days, I'm just trying to make sure I am prepared, especially since pregnancy can bring it's own challenges to working retail. My biggest concern right now is that I've been scheduled to work 7 hour shifts on both days, but I only get a 15 minute break per 4 hours of working-so I dont get a real lunch break unless I work 8 hours. Especially on black friday, I am scheduled from 9am-4pm, with only a 15 minute break. I'm a cashier, and we're also not supposed to have food or snacks at the register (although I doubt I'd have time to snack on black Friday anyway). Do you guys think I should request lunch breaks on these days, or just try to scarf something down on my 15 minute break? 

Also if anyone has any other advice or questions about working black friday

galactickates

I would definitely say yes request a lunch break! You need to take care of that babe and yourself.  I worked black Friday in college when I worked at Macy's and it's crazy day.  In my case it went really fast but I still think you should get a lunch. At least ask. 

galactickates

I would tell your manager your concerns as well. But I would talk to them now for planning purposes and not the day of.  There might be a specific time that they can let you get lunch with coverage. 

DLpanda08

+1 for requesting a lunch and talking to your manager about your concerns. If they give you a problem about acomodating you then I’d speak to your doctor and see if you can get something from her saying that you need a lunch break. 

Retail can can be a beast. Take care of yourself and your sweet baby. 

tosh24

Definitely talk to your boss now so they have time to come up with a plan. Requesting an extra break (or longer break to make it a "lunch"), even if it has to be unpaid, is not unreasonable for a woman who is 8 months pregnant. If you think it's going to cause a problem, I agree with getting your doctor to write a note and presenting it with your request. 

Also, compression socks

drabong88

Yep ask for a lunch break! I worked retail for 4 years while in nursing school at Jcpenney and black Friday was always so crazy. I would think your retailer should be accomadating to your request for a lunch break.  Also being 8 months pregnant you may have to pee more than 2 times in 7 hours so I would just give them a heads up. 

rooonilwaazlib

@sarahsaurus-2 don't labor laws mean that your employer legally has to provide you with a lunch break and other breaks when working a full day?  I thought so, but if not, definitely request more than a 15min break. It's just not feasible for you to go that long without rest.  15 min is not much for anyone, let alone a super pregnant lady.

galactickates

@rooonilwaazlib - it looks like her employer is trying to get out of that since they have her scheduled for 7 instead of 8... 😠 retail is the worst. 

leighbrek

@galactickates Totally agree. Shady scheduling at 100% benefit to the employer.

rooonilwaazlib

@galactickates @leighbrek ugh that is so skeevy! Well pregnant ladies need more breaks, so definitely advocate for yourself to have different options @sarahsaurus-2, and if there are duties you can do sitting down then go for it. Like if youre a cashier, get a bar stool to sit on so you're not legit on your feet for the whole shift. Good luck!

rooonilwaazlib

@sarahsaurus-2 What ended up happening with your work situation this past weekend?

sarahsaurus-2

rooonilwaazlib said:

@sarahsaurus-2 What ended up happening with your work situation this past weekend?

They agreed to give me a real lunch break, which was great. I also do have access to a stool if I need to sit, but I didnt really feel the need for it on Thursday or friday. Black Friday was actually kind of nice- it was busy enough to just get into a rhythm, and they kept the line of cucstomers back a bit so they weren't all up in our face.

Actually, the worst was yesterday lol! Our entire computer system for the store (registers, price checks, online orders, layaway, everything) was down for almost 7 hours and we had to close. So instead of cashiering, I got stuck having to help clean up and organize. They put us in the shoe department, which meant I had to keep bending down to organize the lowest rows of shoes and pick up trash on the floor. I did end up using the stool during that, so I wouldn't have to keep bending up and down so much.

But overall, black friday wasnt bad at all. I've previously worked in a flower shop, and I'd have to say that the flower shop on valentines day was easily much more stressful than cashiering on black friday.

rooonilwaazlib

@sarahsaurus-2 glad it mostly worked out! I hope you have a day or two off now!