Marks and Spencer has altered its policy for Boxing Day shifts, affecting numerous employees. Internal documents reviewed by the Guardian reveal that all staff members must work on one of the days between December 26, 27, and 28. In the past five years, M&S relied on volunteers for Boxing Day shifts.
This adjustment means approximately 25% of store employees will now work exclusively on Boxing Day. Employees who prefer not to work on that day must use a holiday to book time off. While all major M&S stores will remain closed on Boxing Day, the company aims to have more staff present to prepare for reopening on December 27.
Reports indicate that over 40% of permanent and 30% of seasonal M&S workers did not work during peak days. Staff are also expected to be available to work on December 22, 23, and 24, leading up to Christmas.
Jayne Wall, M&S’s operations director, expressed gratitude to the hardworking staff who enhance the shopping experience for customers during the festive season. The company will have more employees working on Boxing Day this year to ensure a smooth reopening on December 27.
M&S began the practice of closing stores on Boxing Day in December 2020 as a gesture of appreciation for staff members’ dedication during the Covid pandemic. Last year, stores remained closed to allow employees an extended break with their families.
Changes to working patterns were implemented in March, before a cyber attack in April, which is expected to cost the company £300 million. The incident disrupted IT systems, affecting payments and click-and-collect orders. Data breaches compromised customer information, including names, email addresses, addresses, and dates of birth.
Customers are advised to exercise caution if contacted by individuals claiming to represent M&S. According to Jayne Wall, there is no evidence of shared data, and the compromised information does not include usable card details or passwords.
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