Recently I read several stories about workers, primarily at big box stores, complaining about the increasing trend by many retailers to open their doors Thanksgiving night.<br />
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This is a move by the stores to get the jump on holiday sales and the traditional Black Friday crowds though many still reserve their biggest bargains for Friday, itself.<br />
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While it is easy to understand the workers frustration as they see more of their time off disappearing, they might want to stop and think a minute - and consider the possible alternative: being out of work, the plight so many of their fellow Americans find themselves in again this Thanksgiving.<br />
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It's also a good thing they are not employed by any number of public safety agencies (fire, police, EMS, etc.), hotels/motels, certain restaurants, convenience stores, hospitals, and, yes, even the media. People in these professions and others have long been expected to work Thanksgiving as well as weekends and other holidays. Maybe not every weekend and holiday but certainly their share of them. <br />
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Sure many people who work in retail probably didn't have to work Thanksgiving night when they first got their job. But times and circumstances change and have continued to evolve over the years and their employers probably find it necessary to change as well to remain competitive.<br />
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So, before complaining too much and too loudly about having to be at work at 8:00 or 9:00 Thanksgiving night, maybe something else is in order - being thankful to have a job.<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.<br />
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<I>(Ken Stanford is Contributing Editor and retired News Director for WDUN-AM, WDUN-FM, 1240 ESPN Radio and AccessNorthGa.com.)<I><br />
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