Opinion: Consider both sides of Easter Trading argument

Easter Trading is a tricky issue to navigate.

It does seem ridiculous that Rotorua, up until now, has not been able to trade on Easter Sunday, despite its reputation as a tourism destination.

So I understand why people, including our mayor, are relieved to be a step closer to retailers being able to open on the public holiday.

That step was made last week at the Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee meeting, where councillors voted to allow trading.

The decision will now go to full council at the end of the month where the final sign off will be made.

But I know firsthand what it's like to be an employee in this situation.

I worked in retail all through high school and university and had good bosses and bad bosses.

When you have a bad boss and you are young, naive and don't know your rights, it is very easy to be taken advantage of.

I worked in a big clothing chain for a few years and every Christmas we were worked to the bone.

I would be rostered on seven days a week for 12 hour shifts (which often ran into overtime we were not paid for).

The issue was if I tried to turn down hours over this time, I was then told if I didn't work I wouldn't be given any hours at all.

Being my only source of income, that was a very real and scary threat that ensured I would do anything I was told to do.

And it wasn't just a threat, because six months later, I did stand up for myself and was not given any hours until I ended up resigning.

I'm not saying all retailers treat their staff like this, but there are some who do and when Rotorua is allowed to trade on Easter Sunday, there will be employees who won't say 'no I can't work today', out of fear they will be punished.

Easter Sunday was one of three definite days off afforded to retail staff so it is not unreasonable for employees to be miffed it is now being taken away.

Yes this decision will be good for tourism and local businesses but, before you jump down the throats of employees who don't agree with the move, try to see it from their point of view.