Should retail workers, cashiers, etc, be allowed the option to sit down to work?

1. 76

   BritInTexasposted 11 years ago

   Should retail workers, cashiers, etc, be allowed the option to sit down to work?
   
   In Europe, checkout operators, cashiers, assembly line workers, etc, are provided a chair or stool to sit on to do their job.  In the United States, it would seem that employees are made to stand for all of their shift, getting only short rest breaks.  If European employees can still be productive whilst sitting to work, would it be appropriate to allow American workers the same option?
   
   

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2. 60

   MickSposted 11 years ago

   Last time I looked at the regs, it is part of the UK employment Acts that, providing  sitting doesn't interfere with the job, the employer must provide facilities for sitting whilst working.  I think that the USA Acts have got it seriously wrong if there is not some form of legislation to accomodate sitting whilst working.

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   1. 76

      BritInTexasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It would seem that the UK is a far more employee-friendly country to work in!

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3. 81

   Seeker7posted 11 years ago

   Hi there MickS is correct about the UK. I'm in Scotland and it is compulsory for employers to give an appropriate chair for an employee to use - provided that while working it is safe to do so. I'm astonished that the USA don't give their cashiers a chair to sit on! Although sitting all day is very bad for health so is standing. Standing for long periods increases your chances of developing varicose veins and atherosclerosis. Not to mention the fatigue rate among workers is much higher.

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   1. 76

      BritInTexasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm from England, and I moved to Texas almost 5 years ago.  I can't name one single shop, supermarket or similar, where employees even have the choice of sitting.  They don't have chairs/stools full stop.

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4. 79

   Lipnancyposted 11 years ago

   I am pretty sure that if the employee requests it, the employer must provide a seat. This would be in accordance with The American with Disabilities Act.

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   1. 76

      BritInTexasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Certainly not in Texas - it's an 'at-will' State, so most employers would just get rid of you in favor of someone that doesn't require any special adjustments.  My online research found this same issue State-wide, unfortunately.

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5. 0

   oceansiderposted 11 years ago

   Yes, I think that here in the U.S., employees should definitely be able to sit down if they need to.....after all, standing all day is hard one one's back and feet.

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6. 83

   donotfearposted 11 years ago

   The policy of making workers stand constantly is insane.  I left retail years ago because of this reason.  If it works in Europe, it can work here.  There would be a lot less turnover of employees if they were given the option to sit/stand.  In other words, sit while you check out, then stand a while, then sit.   That's much better for you.

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