As Black Friday approaches, hourly shift workers across the UK brace for an intensive period of increased demand, sustaining businesses through one of the year’s busiest shopping weekends. Historically, these essential workers’ efforts have gone unrecognised despite their critical role in keeping daily life and commerce running smoothly.
Shift workers account for 80% of the global workforce, playing vital roles in stocking shelves, staffing hospitals, manufacturing goods, and ensuring the safety and functionality of our cities. Deputy, the global people platform for hourly work, projects a substantial rise in shifts and hours worked across UK industries during the Black Friday weekend:
- Retail workers are expected to see a 26% increase in shifts and a 35% rise in hours, reflecting heightened consumer demand.
- Hospitality will experience a 13% boost in shifts and a 15% increase in hours, as the sector prepares for the influx of holiday patrons.
- The Services sector, which includes postal and delivery services, is projected to see the highest impact, with a 68% rise in shifts and a 52% surge in hours.
Across the UK, hourly workers will experience an overall 9% increase in shifts and an 11% rise in hours during this high-demand period.
Deputy Recognises Shift Workers with ‘Shift Worker Sunday’
Shift workers are essential to our economy and society, yet they often go uncelebrated. In response, Deputy has launched Shift Worker Sunday—a dedicated day to acknowledge and show appreciation for the hard work shift workers do to keep our world functioning.
Celebrated on 24th November, Shift Worker Sunday encourages businesses, customers, and community leaders to express gratitude for shift workers’ contributions and commit to supporting their career development and growth, helping them build secure and prosperous futures.
“Shift workers are the backbone of our economy, and their efforts are even more vital during the holiday season,” said Deputy’s CEO, Silvija Martincevic. “Their work supports the infrastructure that keeps our lives and businesses running, and it’s crucial to acknowledge their role in the stability of our communities and economies.”
“At Deputy, we believe supporting shift workers extends beyond seasonal recognition. It’s about providing fair wages, predictable hours, and opportunities for growth year-round. I encourage business owners and leaders, especially those employing hourly workers, to pledge meaningful actions that make a tangible difference for this essential workforce.”