It’s that time of the year again where stores are beginning to roll out overtime to their employees and requiring some to work on holidays this year.

When it comes to working on the holidays it should be up to the person if they want to work. Working on a holiday should not be mandatory in any form.

This topic hits close to home because I would hate to be forced to work on a holiday. The holidays are a time for families who have not gotten to see each other that much in the year to come together and share their lives with each other.

If I had a job that required me to work on a holiday, I would honestly consider quitting. There is no amount of money that I could get paid to work when I can sit down and have a good time with my family. Especially if I had to deal with pushy customers all day complaining about the long lines and lack of inventory.

I understand that companies are trying to cash in on the holiday consumers, but when did the holiday season become solely about the concept of consumerism? Yes, we are a nation of consumers, but I am a person and I should not be treated as if I am just a number. I refuse to look at a customer as number and I should not be treated as one.

Not all who work in retail hold to my opinion about working on the holidays. Some workers find that it is a great moment during the year when they want to get the most overtime possible. The paycheck at the end of the week sounds much more appetizing than a turkey in the oven. Especially if you are not in the mood to see family and or friends. Not every person in the world celebrates the holiday season.

Different strokes for different folks is a good way to look at this concept, but no matter the stroke you prefer making it mandatory to work on a holiday is unacceptable.