Doc of Happiness: A Reminder That A Simple Thank You Is Free, Contagious & Can Help Struggling Workers
Black Friday, the day synonymous with bustling crowds and significant sales, is here. It’s a day that brings excitement for shoppers seeking the best deals and savings. However, for those working in retail and delivery, it’s a weekend that can bring long hours and stressful conditions.
Data from Deputy, a leading shift work management platform, highlights the increased workload shouldered by retail workers during these peak shopping times. On Black Friday, retail workers find themselves working 24% more hours, with a 24% increase on the following Saturday and a 29% increase on Cyber Monday compared to average days.
The impacts of shift work are well-documented. 24% of workers report negative health implications because of their shift work, with 23% expressing frustration with unpredictable schedules. 24% of workers also don’t think that they are paid fairly for their work.
Over a third (36%) of workers report that it has become harder to take time off, and 37% state that their work/life balance has suffered as a result. This is further compounded by the fact that most (51%) do not think about their paid annual leave. This lack of attention to holidays can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction among workers.
Despite the myriad challenges faced by retail workers and delivery drivers during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there is a call for each of us to make a positive impact. By simply taking a moment to say thanks and show kindness, we can contribute to a more positive work environment and, by extension, a more positive shopping experience for all involved.
46% of shift workers in the UK report that being valued and recognised for their contribution would actually make them feel more positive about their overall working conditions– so this isn’t gobble-de-gook.
Dr. Andy Cope, a Doctor of Happiness, is supporting the #ASimpleThanks initiative, reminding us to say thanks during the hectic Black Friday sales. The message is clear – small acts of kindness and gratitude can significantly impact someone’s day, especially during stressful times like Black Friday.
Why? When put in to practise you can see the impact.
Let’s say you engage with 28 people in one day, including family, colleagues, and strangers who work in shops. Now, imagine each of those people also interacts with 28 others. This creates a ripple effect, known as the hyper-dyadic effect, where your influence has the potential to reach 21,952 people.
Positive energy (a thank you) can illuminate the networks of those you interact with, spreading joy and happiness far and wide. But remember, negativity can also spread in the same way.
Spreading positive, upbeat, energetic, and passionate vibes will not only make us feel better, but it will also elicit a positive response from those around us. By taking a moment to thank retail workers with a simple “thank you,” shoppers can contribute to a positive atmosphere and show workers that their hard work is appreciated. In the grand scheme of things, we may feel insignificant, but to those we interact with, we are incredibly significant, shaping their quality of life.
Join Andy and Jon to find out about #ASimpleThanks, the science of happiness and how we can put it into action today and this weekend (Black Friday has spread across the weekend and on into Cyber Monday).
