Sit Down - It’s Good for Business

 

 I was shopping at the local Albertson's and asked the cashiers why they have to stand and was told it’s corporate policy. Their expressions revealed the awful effect of this.

 “InAmerica, cashiers stand… due to managerial expectations of customer service and buying into myths about productivity—and customers who have never seen anything else simply accepting it. But in Europe and the U.K., though responsibilities somewhat differ, cashiers are seated, and productivity is often higher. In recent years, U.S. cashiers have filed lawsuits citing age-old “right to sit” laws, with mixed results. But grocery companies continue to fight hard against such regulations, and there’s a lack of union strength to counter it.”

Companies resist any change that might benefit the worker. It reflects an indifference to employees well being and is a low level power move. This is a recipe for worker burnout -remember downsizing from the 80’s? Yeah that worked out. Let’s keep doing the same thing and expect different results. I am appalled at how hard working people are treated like dirt and not just at the grocery store, so I wrote the following letter to Albertson’s about this issue.

 

Ms Susan Morris CEO,

I shop regularly at Albertson’s in Eugene Oregon. I see the cashiers standing and asked why they don’t sit and was told it’s policy. In Europe they can sit. Standing or sitting for prolonged periods is unhealthy. Cashiers have to move around, so rotating between sitting and standing should not be an issue.

Allowing cashiers and other staff to sit for short periods will save money in the long run. Fewer law suits filed over “the right to sit” alone will reduce costs, less turnover of workers who quit because of bad knees, feet and back issues, not to mention lower medical insurance costs. It’s also better PR-how? Fair treatment of workers reduces the demand for unionizing. Sitting for a bit allows better attention to customers. Not to mention the perception of customers who know from their own experience the effect of standing for long hours. That appreciation extends to Albertson’s that appears to care for its workers (unless you think they are disposable and I can shop somewhere else).You once worked at a customer service desk, have a manager work four hour shift and they’ll see how hard it is.

Be bold, try a pilot program here in Eugene to challenge the “it’s always been this way, why change it” policy that is the foundation of American business with no room for innovation that ironically stifles the increase in business the change would produce. I hope you consider this suggestion to improve working conditions, public relations and profitablity.

Regards,

Alisa McLaughlin