The Reason for the Season…CA$H

Companies are always trying to find a balance between employee morale and profit. This is especially true during the holiday season. Research indicates this

time of year is the most stressful for employees as they juggle their work life,

holiday expenses, and their personal life.

However, the holidays are easily the most profitable time of the year for most

companies, as profits made during this time will determine the short term, and in

some cases, the long term financial success of these companies. Many companies

go to extreme lengths to attract customers and improve sales during the holidays.

You work for 306 Sporting Goods – a retailer in a local mall. In an attempt to

boost yearly sales, management is considering expanding holiday hours to include:

staying open on Thanksgiving Day, expanding operating hours to include a 24 hour

mega sale on Black Friday, and staying open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

throughout the month of December – including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The expanded hours promise employees more hours (including overtime),

providing a financial bonus many employees have said they desperately need. But,

many employees have also claimed that working too many hours during the

holidays will have a negative impact on employee morale and add stress – as

employees are forced to spend less time with family and friends.

Before implementing this new schedule of holiday operating hours, the store

manager would like to hear from employees and get their opinion about this plan.Email Assignment/Holiday Hours vs. Employee Morale