Shop Staff Demand Pay for Seasonal Song Stress (Czech Republic)

[kskiska]

Trade unions in the Czech Republic demanded yesterday that shops stop playing Christmas carols incessantly - or pay compensation for causing emotional trauma to sales staff.

The workers have followed the example of their peers in Austria, who earlier this month complained about seasonal song stress.

Shops in both countries are criticised for playing the same Christmas songs and carols all day, and playing them loudly. Employees say work has become unbearable.

"To listen to it for eight hours a day is not healthy, that's for sure," said Alexandr Leiner, a union leader. "And for the customers it's almost unbearable as well."

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/christmas2003/story/0,14075,1112088,00.html

[Fitzovich]

1. I agree

Christmas Carols might be nice for those shopping, to boost sales through spreading the "Holiday Cheer" or whatever but, listening to those blasted things all day long is just enough to drive you a bit daffy somedays! Retailers already have cut their staff's to bare bones so that employees are going about a hundred miles per hour from the time they clock in to when they leave. Needed reat breaks are hard to get, lines are long and then you get to listen to the music. Most folks in Retail are pretty much Bah Humbug this time of year, and that is sad because it's supposed to be fun for everyone!