pmsumner

The Scottish Parliament is trying to push through a bill which would make it "illegal" to open larger shops on Christmas day and another day which I can't remember. (LinkieLinkie)

This annoys me on a number of levels. Whose business is it if a shop-owner decides to trade on Christmas Day? Why is the government legislating this? We're preventing people who have no religious or personal reasons to celebrate this day from going about their normal business. In the past when I've been on shift-work I've volunteered for Christmas work, purely because it pays well! The "big day" means nothing to me on a personal level.

If we're legislating for shops being closed on a particular date, why not all businesses? Why not say "all call centres must be closed on x,y and z"? After all, who in their right mind calls to pay a bill on Easter Sunday? (Hopefully you can all spot the scarcasm.)

What reason is there for making this a legal issue? I just don't understand what is so wrong with things as they are that it has to be legislated for.

I've only just found that there's an equivalent law already in existance in English/Welsh law. Damnit!

Q3. Why did the Government supporting new regulation?
The Government believed that widespread opening by large shops would seriously undermine the special nature of Christmas Day well as having an adverse effect on employees. It believed that legislation now will avoid a problem arising at a later date. The Government consulted key stakeholders for their views to inform consideration of new regulation.

"The special nature of Christmas Day"? What utter rot, for lack of a better phrase.

I must also say that I believe the Sunday Trading laws in England/Wales are some of the most ridiculous things ever entered into law.

Ooooo I found out something interesting that I didn't know:

Special rules if you're a shop worker or work in betting
If you work in a shop or in the betting industry (either at a betting shop open to the public or a bookmaker at a sports venue) you have special rights. You can opt out of having to work on Sunday even if your contract says you have to. Your employer has to tell you about this right within two months of hiring you.