Petco pet groomers forced to work on Easter Sunday

[Rowen]

A friend of mine is a dog groomer who no longer works for PetCo. The following is a cross post from another list. Apparently PetCo doesn't think their employees have families they might want to spend the holiday with. It is a mystery to me why someone would take their pet in for a trim on the same day they are expecting company. Most folks with an ounce of brains or forthought already took care of this 'crucial task' well before the holiday to avoid having to retrieve Fido at the last minute. It doesn't make much sense to me to push pet grooming this hard. Anywho, I'm crossposting:


"I think it's totally rotten that Petco is FORCING their groomers, regardless of religion, to work Easter Sunday. I thought the law required companies to allow employees to honor their religious holidays.
"This is an email sent to all the PetCos on the Eastcoast today word for
word.


"At the request of Kim in Dewitt.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Don't forget that your grooming salon
Must be open Easter Sunday too
Check with your groomers
Make sure they understand If they need help with their scheduling
You need to give them a hand
Stores with no sales
Are suspect for sure
If you are one of them
Expect your DM at the door!
A REMINDER!
Holidays are one of the most important times for the grooming business.
It is a great chance to gain new customers, and promote our extra
services, as they rush to make their pets look good for company. Please remember:
""""Grooming Salons are expected to be open for operation during normal
business hours on Easter Sunday. Salons should be staffed and
associates should be booking appointments for April 16th.""""
Please check with your grooming salon often to be sure that they are
not turning away customers. Ensure that there are bookings. If we turn away
customers, guess where they will go?
Bob Rau
Pet Services Manager-Reg 4"

Nice eh? I did not find it amusing.
I am asking all of you for some help. Sometimes you need a little help
from your friends I want everyone of you to please send an email to
Mr.Rau and PetCo. I wrote my own poem for him and petCo, send him this one or one of your own about being forced to work on Easter Sunday.

Here is my version,


Roses are red,
violets are blue,
Come Easter Sunday Bob Rau,
Where are you?
Sitting in corporate?
Taking in Calls?
Doing reports?
Walking the halls?
Easter is special to us as it is to you! You've ruined another holiday
and made all your groomers feel blue.

PetCo advertises "paid holidays". we get two, Thanksgiving and
Christmas.

Send to
Roberrau @ petco.com

and Director Pet Services Stu Wolman
Stuw @ petco.com



He has two mail boxes so lets fill them up please and be sure to take
the spaces out of the email addys or click on the hyperlink if it comes
through. Then send it to the Petco contact page.

just copy and paste this into your browser
emailhttp://www.petco.com/Content/ContactUs.aspx?PC=contactus&Nav=166

please help us out and fill these boxes with emails. I for one do not think anyone should be grooming dogs on Easter do you?
Thanks a bunch guys and gals,
A former peTcoGroomer

P.S. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CROSS POST TO OTHER LIST OR ANYWHERE YOU MIGHT THINK WILL HELP, THANK YOU ALL!"

[Ysobelle]

Er...call me crazy, but if it's your holiday, ask for the day off. If you don't care, don't put in for the PTO. How is it offensive to send a letter to your stores telling them to be prepared for a holiday rush? If the store says it's closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, why are people incensed that they aren't closed on Easter? Didn't they know when they took the job?

Complaining that the corporation is open on Easter is...well, for those of us who don't celebrate Easter, a bit baffling. Easter falls during Passover. I don't expect the grooming salon to be closed for eight days. I have to leave early Wednesday night for a seder; I'm not demanding my entire office shut down early.

[Katie O'Connell]

Most folks with an ounce of brains or forthought already took care of this 'crucial task' well before the holiday to avoid having to retrieve Fido at the last minute.

Ah....see....there's the thing. 'Most Folks with an ounce of brains' would have done this early. But that doesn't cover everyone else...

I swore my last retail Christmas Eve that I would be out of the store and home by 6PM... but a full half hour after we were supposed to close our doors, we had people limbo-ing under the half closed gate (I often wished it was a real portcullis) running in for that last minute gift.

"I know just what I want," they'd assure me. :unamused:

If they knew 'just what they wanted, then just where the hell were they a week or a month ago? Who knows... but there it was, 6:30PM on Christmas Eve, and we had a dozen inconsiderate procrastinators making the staff late for whatever plans they had for after work. The rest of the stores in the mall were not only closed, but completely locked down and deserted. But not mine..... Oh, no...we still had a line at the register. :roll:

Perhaps then, the real problems are these:

1. There will always be those that didn't plan ahead, or just plain forgot something like this until the last concievable second.
2. In the present economy, business have to fight for every sale, even if it takes being open when no one else is.

So, who's fault is it? ....really?

:thinking:

[Winifred Baskerville]

1. There will always be those that didn't plan ahead, or just plain forgot something like this until the last concievable second.
2. In the present economy, business have to fight for every sale, even if it takes being open when no one else is.

So, who's fault is it? ....really?

:thinking:

The only problem with the store's logic is that it often will cost more to keep the 2 dozen or so sales associates there for even a half hour than they will earn from the people shopping. At least, that's what I've found. Makes being open on Mondays and Tuesdays almost not worth it.

Or maybe I'm just being pessimistic on this. Marshall Field's is closed...

[Ysobelle]

Ah....see....there's the thing. 'Most Folks with an ounce of brains' would have done this early. But that doesn't cover everyone else...

I swore my last retail Christmas Eve that I would be out of the store and home by 6PM... but a full half hour after we were supposed to close our doors, we had people limbo-ing under the half closed gate (I often wished it was a real portcullis) running in for that last minute gift.

"I know just what I want," they'd assure me. :unamused:

If they knew 'just what they wanted, then just where the hell were they a week or a month ago? Who knows... but there it was, 6:30PM on Christmas Eve, and we had a dozen inconsiderate procrastinators making the staff late for whatever plans they had for after work. The rest of the stores in the mall were not only closed, but completely locked down and deserted. But not mine..... Oh, no...we still had a line at the register. :roll:

Perhaps then, the real problems are these:

1. There will always be those that didn't plan ahead, or just plain forgot something like this until the last concievable second.
2. In the present economy, business have to fight for every sale, even if it takes being open when no one else is.

So, who's fault is it? ....really?

:thinking:


Actually, I'm thinking the real problem here is assuming that everyone is Christian and cares that it's Easter in the first place. Christmas I can understand. At this point, it's a national secular holiday. But Easter is still when, I believe, Christians celebrate the rising of Christ. That's cool, and y'all have fun. Personally, if it's my day off, and I need to get my dog groomed, or pick up some gifts, or run any of a number of errands, I'm going to do so. And if a store that I need is open, then that store gets my money.

I don't think it's a reflection on my IQ.

[merestelle]

I will be working on Easter. I worked on New Year's Day and Thanksgiving.
Of course being a nurse, this comes with the territory. But after 25 years I am quite tired of working weekends and holidays. I'm sure I would resent it if I had to work retail on a holiday.
I miss the old blue laws. I've never been religious. I don't go to church.
But I miss the "day of rest"

[Alianne]

Actually, I'm thinking the real problem here is assuming that everyone is Christian and cares that it's Easter in the first place. Christmas I can understand. At this point, it's a national secular holiday. But Easter is still when, I believe, Christians celebrate the rising of Christ. That's cool, and y'all have fun. Personally, if it's my day off, and I need to get my dog groomed, or pick up some gifts, or run any of a number of errands, I'm going to do so. And if a store that I need is open, then that store gets my money.

I don't think it's a reflection on my IQ.

Exactly so. And when I was younger, I worked retail management. We weren't open on Christmas (because the mall itself was closed), but if one of my employees said they needed time on Easter (or Good Friday), I'd try my best to accommodate them.

I don't get the same courtesy in the workplace, however. If I want to take off for a holiday, I have to use one of my PTO's to do so (which then takes away from vacation or sick time)...and there have been times when we've been so swamped that I've been afraid of potential fallout to say 'Well, I'm taking Rosh Hashannah off.' Yet, my Christian co-workers who go to Ash Wednesday services early in the morning aren't given a hassle when they ask to come in late. And if I were Orthodox, I might as well quit my job, since working Saturdays in rotation is a requirement. But no one's even *thought* of that....but when I was in a different office and we had to occasionally be on call on a Sunday, boy, did people bitch and moan about it.

Why shouldn't these people have to do the same as I do when I need to take off for a holiday?

But sorry, Easter's just another Sunday to me....and that's a day when I *can* spend the day shopping....and if my cats run out of cat food or litter and that's the day I can go to PetCo, and they're open, that's all good.

I agree with Ysobelle. Christians tend to forget that not *everyone* in this country worships like them....and there *are* people who *cannot* go shopping on Saturdays.

[Alianne]

I will be working on Easter. I worked on New Year's Day and Thanksgiving.
Of course being a nurse, this comes with the territory. But after 25 years I am quite tired of working weekends and holidays. I'm sure I would resent it if I had to work retail on a holiday.
I miss the old blue laws. I've never been religious. I don't go to church.
But I miss the "day of rest"

Yes, but your 'day of rest' isn't *everyone's* day of rest. I'm glad the blue laws got abolished in most places. It actually meant, when I was a child, that my grandmother could take me shopping...or that we could take her out to lunch on a weekend day.

[Mermaid]

I fail to see where this is a problem. Is this your job, and do you normally work on Sundays? Then they should either put in for the day off if it really is so important to them---or get another job. Having been in animal care and retail for more years than I care to count, I've worked Black Friday, Christmas Eve, the day after Christmas---and gone in to do kennels and take care of boarding pets on Thanksgiving and Christmas. It goes with the territory. If you really feel you need that day off, then arrange in advance to have it off. Don't whine and moan about it.
Getting off the soapbox now <G>

Mermaid

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

But, THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!

Oh, wait... wrong irrational argument....


nevermind.

[Margaret]

I used to work at Family Video. They are open 365 days a year from 10 am - 12 am. No closing even early for holidays. We knew that hiring in. As a staff, we were able to barter and dicker around as to come up with a holiday work schedule everyone could live with.

Of course we would grumble about having to come in on a particular holiday, but could not claim we were 'forced' to work.

You would be suprised to see how busy a video store can get on the afteroon of December 25th. All the kids with their new game systems who NEED some more games RIGHT NOW!

[The Doxie with Moxie]

I am a Federal Employee, specifically an Air Traffic Controller, and we staff for every day of the year. My RDOs (regular days off) are Wednesday/Thursday and the facility I work at is a 24-hour facility. It would be great to have off every "Holiday" that I wanted... it would also be fab to have the weekends off to hang with my children and also my friends that are Mon thru Fri workers.

But Guess What?

I took a job that has staffing requirements that don't revolve around me!! I find the whole complaint about having to work on Easter very arrogant. If this occassion has huge signifigance to someone they should try to swap their shift, or try to swap their RDOs with another employee. If they get personal days or annual leave maybe they should try using them.

And I am tired of the assumption that everyone is Christian. In my immediate family (siblings, parents, children, nieces/nephews) we have, in addition to some Christ based beliefs, Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians and Agnostics . Maybe they would like to get their dog groomed, or get a haircut or any of the thousands of mundane things that need doing.

The Doxie:zen:

[Eric McTavish]

My company has me contracted to the US Army and I dont get to take off Sanhain, Yule, Imvolc, Oestre, Beltain, Coamhain, Lughnasdha, or Mabon, save when these days happen to fall on the corrsponding Christian Holidays.
No biggie... if it's that important to me to observe the day ON the correct day I take PTO or Vacation period. then again I can work on their "off" days and clear up extra time for myself on my projects. So it all evens out in the end.

When you go to work for a company more times than not you KNOW what holidays that company gives its employees... for example here in Louisville if you work for Waffle House (or almost ANY restraunt) your told you WILL be working Christmass and KY Berby weekend period...

Ok im done now....

[WenchyMom]

I don't get involved very much, but one thing that is really bugging me is that Easter did start (and for many still is) a Christian Holiday, but I guess some of you forget that people don't always celebrate Easter that way or have you forgotten the chocolate bunnies roaming your local store the aisles of plastic eggs waiting to be filled with candy and whatnot. HMMMM I don't remember Christ being killed by chocolate bunnies. There is more to this holiday then (OH MY GOODNESS) Christ and his death.

I'm sorry ya'll, I have the UTMOST respect for the hardships that some/all of you go through for your different beliefs. And I know you go through a lot, but there are other bad people out there besides christian religions, and I know a lot of christian people that don't through almighty fits because they have to work on holidays.

And your right, if these people really wanted Easter off, they'd go to thier HR dept and let them know that it's a religious holiday for them and they would like to freedom to observe it.

Happy Easter to anyone who celebrates to the rest of ya'll, have a great weekend.

[Dmitri]

Easter did start... a Christian Holiday.

That is patently False... Easter (Oestara) was a pagan holiday celebrating Rebirth and fertility (henth the eggs and rabbits).

Early christians used these holidays (Like when X-mas is celebrated) to help convert the pagans by using the same holidays the pagans already celebrated...

[WenchyMom]

thank you D, I forgot that.

[Dmitri]

thank you D, I forgot that.

no worries... Sorry if I came off as snarky... That's just a pet peeve...

[Bonnie Strangeways]

D beat me to it....... *grin*

I agree with the majority on this. This is not a "recognized Federal Holiday" (which is really the onl "backed" argument you could present in regards to holidays & working. If the banks and the post office is closed, then you might have some push) so, if you want it off, work the schedule end. Sending a letter to Corporate like this is not going to get you what you want.

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

If the banks and the post office is closed, then you might have some push.

The banks and post offices are closed.


But we unclean heathens destined for eternal damnation just call that "Sunday". *rotfl*

[Selena]

Former dog groomer, kennel worker and Humane Society worker here. As an atheist, I loved working the holidays. Didn't bother me one bit and more often than not, I got paid extra or doubletime.

After college, I worked took seasonal work at this little boarding kennel. I loved it. My boss was cool as hell, got to take care of the dogs (only a few cats) while their human parents were out of town doing the holiday shuffle. Kennel cleaning was no big deal and I absolutely fell in love with the regular boarders. I love animals, so it was very satisfactory to me to do that kind of job. One of the grooming shops I worked at also boarded... I volunteered to take care of the furbabies who were boarding.

It's a part of the job. Not everything revolves around the assumed christian holidays, but if you (in general) want the day off, either ask for it or suck it up. The private sector is like that. You are there to serve the clients. And many of those potential clients don't give a rats ass about the holiday.

It's just the nature of the beast.

*edited once for content*

[Saerlaith]

I used to think it was quite Scrooge-like of him, but my father used to rave about people working religious holidays unless, as has been pointed out here, they put in for the personal/annual/leave day off. I came to realize that he was just advocating a further separation of church and state.

Let the secular National holidays stand, and give us all a certain number of days of leave to be used at our discretion. It's nobody's business if I'm using mine for the Spring Equinox and you're using yours for Passover, and Susie down the hall is taking Easter Monday.

I don't anticipate that happening in my lifetime, though, and I confess I've become as conditioned as the rest when it comes to the Winter Holidays. I teach, so my school doesn't call it Christmas Break (although they do call the upcoming Easter Weekend-- crazy).

[Bean]

Yep, the retail world gives you very few days off. My store is closed Sunday, but that was my choice as manager. The mall is technically closed, but have advertised for the stores that want to be open, and are bringing in a small staff to man the customer service desk for stroller rentals and such. And as everyone else has said, if you want the day off, request it or suck it up, it's part of the job in retail to work holidays. I would LOVE to have Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July, or Labor Day weekend to go and celebrate with friends, but I chose this profession so I have to deal.

There is a positive, however; I do get days off in the middle of the week which makes scheduling appointments sooooooooo much easier!!!!

[Katie O'Connell]

I don't think it's a reflection on my IQ.

Sorry, Ysobelle-- My bad.

I didn't intend to make it seem like people who want to do business on generally recognized Christian Holidays were doing so because they didn't plan or forget. Yet, you're correct--that's what it sounded like.

Actually, for the purpose of my argument, I was indeed assuming that everyone was Christian. I was addressing the 'Ounce of Sense' part of the original post.

However, I feel an apology, while not necessarily needed, is appropriate. If there's one thing I hate, is having my intelligence called into question. I expect the forum members might feel the same way.

No insults were intended were in the making of my post. I trust no one was unduly insulted--after all....I'm still breathing. :wink:

[MaidenFaeSnow]

Um...if your friend no longer works for PetCo....then what's the point to getting your bloomies fired up about it in the first place?

Maybe no one else there really feels as strongly about the issue as you seem to feel.

Just wondering...

[Psyche]

A friend of mine is a dog groomer who no longer works for PetCo. The following is a cross post from another list. Apparently PetCo doesn't think their employees have families they might want to spend the holiday with. It is a mystery to me why someone would take their pet in for a trim on the same day they are expecting company. Most folks with an ounce of brains or forthought already took care of this 'crucial task' well before the holiday to avoid having to retrieve Fido at the last minute. It doesn't make much sense to me to push pet grooming this hard. I am not Christian. I cannot remember the last time I got MY holidays off, without having to specifically ask for them. Why should it be any difference for anyone else. I think the ones who need the "ounce of brains" are the ones who should have asked for the day off, if it is so important to spend that time with their families.

The last time I checked, those Christian holidays were not supposed to be all about family, but the specific religious belief associated with that day, and religious worship. I see a lot of people claiming they should get the day off because they are Christian, who have never stepped foot in a Church since reaching adulthood. :unamused:

I back what the company is doing. Imagine how put upon the mass numbers of non-Christians in this country feel when everything closes down for a holiday they do not celebrate and could care less about. I know when I worked retail, the shops that were open on Sundays and holidays got a TON of business from the non-Christians. I can definitely believe that there are a lot of non-Christians who would get their pets groomed on Easter Sunday. If I had one, I would consider it. Sorry but the non-Christians do not have to keep continuing to live their lives around a Christian schedule.

[Perin]

Um...if your friend no longer works for PetCo....then what's the point to getting your bloomies fired up about it in the first place?
Maybe no one else there really feels as strongly about the issue as you seem to feel.
Just wondering...

This whole issue seemed like an Urban Legend out of Snopes. Its not (I checked...) but that was my first thought. A big company that my brother's garbageman's uncle used to work for did something bad to some random person so now we need to boycot/protest/write letters/be mad at.

[Selena]

Imagine how put upon the mass numbers of non-Christians in this country feel when everything closes down for a holiday they do not celebrate and could care less about. I know when I worked retail, the shops that were open on Sundays and holidays got a TON of business from the non-Christians.

Heh-- Like ordering Chinese take out on xmas day. LOVE it!

Yaknow, I'm a state employee... we get all KINDS of holidays off, national and state. This friday is good friday, right? The agency is closing in the afternoon with minimum staffing in the morning. I volunteered to work the morning shift so my many of christian coworkers could do what they needed to do. Doesn't matter to me one bit.

Know what I'm going to do easter sunday?

Mow the lawn.

[Alianne]

Heh-- Like ordering Chinese take out on xmas day. LOVE it!

Which, of course, is practically a Jewish tradition <g> (going out to a Chinese restaurant and the movies afterwards...)....to the point where, when I was in 7th grade, my science teacher gave me a button that said 'You don't have to be Jewish to like Chinese food'. I *loved* it. Wish I still had it.

[MaidenFaeSnow]

I back what the company is doing. Imagine how put upon the mass numbers of non-Christians in this country feel when everything closes down for a holiday they do not celebrate and could care less about.

Besides which, shouldn't (and isn't) the company looking out for IT'S best interests (profits) be more important to them than trying to keep track of who is of what faith? Profits ARE one of a company's top priorities yeah??

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

Which, of course, is practically a Jewish tradition <g> (going out to a Chinese restaurant and the movies afterwards...)....to the point where, when I was in 7th grade, my science teacher gave me a button that said 'You don't have to be Jewish to like Chinese food'. I *loved* it. Wish I still had it.
Sounds like a perfect segue for this old classic (my favorite line is "Pork is kosher, when it's in Chinese food!" :-)):


'Twas the night before christmas, and we, being Jews,
My girlfriend and me - we had nothing to do.
The gentiles were home, hanging stockings with care,
Secure in their knowledge St. Nick would be there.
But for us, once the Chanukah candles burned down,
There was nothing but boredom all over town.
The malls and the theaters were all closed up tight;
There weren't any concerts to go to that night.
A dance would have saved us, some ballroom or swing,
But we searched through the papers; there wasn't a thing.
Outside the window sat 2 feet of snow;
With the windchill, they said, it was 15 below.
And while all I could do was sit there a brood,
My girl saved the night and called out: "CHINESE FOOD!"
So we ran to the closet, grabbed hats, mitts and boots -
To cover out heads, our hands and our foots.
We pulled on our jackets, all puffy with down,
And boarded the T bound for old Chinatown.
The train nearly empty, it rolled through the stops,
While visions of wontons danced through our kopfs.
We hopped off at Park Street; the Common was bright
With fresh-fallen snow and the trees strung with lights,
We crept through "The Zone" with its bums and its thugs,
And entrepreneurs selling ladies and drugs.
At last we reached chinatown, rushed through the gate,
Past bakeries, markets, shops and cafes,
In search of a restaurant: "Which one? Let's decide!"
We chose "Hunan Chozer," and ventured inside.
Around us sat others, their platters piled high
With the finest of fine foods their money could buy:
There was roast duck and fried squid, (sweet, sour and spiced,)
Dried beef and mixed veggies, lo mein and fried rice,
Whole fish and moo shi and shrimp chow mee foon,
And General Gau's chicken a ma po tofu...
When at last we decided, and the waiter did call,
We said: "Skip the menu!" and ordered it all.
And when in due time the food was all made,
It came to the table in a sort of parade.
Before us sat dim sum, spare ribs and egg rolls,
And four different soups, in four great, huge bowls.
And chicken wings! Dumplings! and Beef Teriakis!
The courses kept coming from spicy to mild,
And higher and higher toward the ceiling were piled.
And while this went on, we became aware
Every diner around us had started to stare.
Their jaws hanging open, they looked on unblinking;
Some dropped their teacups, some drooled without thinking.
So much piled up, one dish after another,
My girlfriend and I couldn't see one another!
Now we sait there, we two, without proper utensils,
While they handed us something that looked like two pencils.
We poked and we jabbed till our fingers were sore
And half of our dinner wound up on the floor.
We tried - how we tried - but, said truth to tell,
Ten long minutes later and still hungry as hell,
We swallowed our pride, feeling vaguely like dorks,
And called to our waiter to bring us two forks.
We fressed and we feastered, we slurped and we munched;
We noshed and we supped, we breakfast'd and lunched.
We ate till we couldn't and drank down our teas
And barely had room for our fortune cookies.
But my fortune was perfect; it summed up the mood
When it said: "Pork is kosher, when its in Chinese food."
And my girlfriend - well... she got a real winner;
Her's said: "Your companion will pay for the dinner."
Our bellies were full and at last it was time
To travel back home and write some bad rhyme
Of our Chinatown trek (and to privately speak
About trying to refine our chopstick technique).
The MSG spun round and round in our heads,
And we tripped and we laughed and gaily we said,
As we carried our leftovers home through the night:
"Good Yom Tov to all - and to all a Good Night!"

[Ysobelle]

Sorry, Ysobelle-- My bad.

I didn't intend to make it seem like people who want to do business on generally recognized Christian Holidays were doing so because they didn't plan or forget. Yet, you're correct--that's what it sounded like.

Actually, for the purpose of my argument, I was indeed assuming that everyone was Christian. I was addressing the 'Ounce of Sense' part of the original post.

However, I feel an apology, while not necessarily needed, is appropriate. If there's one thing I hate, is having my intelligence called into question. I expect the forum members might feel the same way.

No insults were intended were in the making of my post. I trust no one was unduly insulted--after all....I'm still breathing. :wink:


S'all right. And hey, The Pointy Boots of No Forgiveness are in the shop, anyway!

[Savantage]

But, THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!

Oh, wait... wrong irrational argument....


nevermind.*rotfl* *rotfl* *rotfl* *rotfl* OMG like they won't notice that you're not there *rotfl* *rotfl* *rotfl* *rotfl* .