Stores opening Thanksgiving Day creates backlash among employees

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Retailers are gearing up for the holiday shopping season and many of their employees are not happy. More stores are choosing to open on Thanksgiving Day prompting a backlash from employees who have to work the holiday.

The Westfield Oakridge mall in San Jose will be open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, which means employees are going to have to report to work when most people are having turkey dinner. That's two hours earlier than they opened last year.

Tiffani Buchanan wants to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend and his family, but she'll be at Westfield Oakridge instead working.

"Their dinner is at 5 p.m. so there's no way I'll be able to make it," she said.

She manages one of the stores at the mall where every retailer is mandated to open at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

"I think that this is a little bit of a disregard for the retail employees' home life and personal life and it's hard for us to stay positive," she said.

Buchanan is so fed up, she started an online petition on Change.org urging Westfield and other property management companies to keep the malls closed on Thanksgiving.

K-Mart is the target of another petition. The chain will also be open on the holiday, as well as Walmart, Best Buy, and several other major retailers.

"I think they should at least open the next day at a normal time," said shopper Devinne Parsons.

"I feel that every store should be closed so they can be home with their families too," Elaine Kayaer said.

But Westfield insists, it's just giving customers what they want.

In a statement, Oakridge's general manager says: "Given the enthusiasm we have seen for earlier openings over the past few years, Westfield welcomes the opportunity to accommodate this demand and open early."

"Just don't go out and shop," Buchanan said. "I hate to say that because I definitely love my customers and want them to come in, but I have faith that they'll support us in this."

It's a simple request by one employee hoping to restore the meaning of Thanksgiving.

If you want to sign Buchanan's petition click here.

Stores staying closed on Thanksgiving Day:

A.C. Moore

Academy Sports

Ace Hardware

American Girl

Barnes and Noble

Bed Bath and Beyond

BJs

Burlington Coat Factory

Crate and Barrel

Christmas Tree Shops

Costco

Dillard's

DSW

Fort Western

GameStop

Gordmans

Guitar Center

Half Price Books

Harbor Freight

Home Depot

HomeGoods

Jo-Ann

Lowes

Marshalls

Neiman Marcus

Nordstrom

REI

Patagonia

Pier 1 Imports

Saks

Sierra Trading Post

TJMaxx

True Value

Tractor Supply

Stores opening on Thanksgiving Day:

Anna's Linens

Bealls Florida

Belk

Best Buy

Big Lots

BonTon

CVS

Dick's Sporting Goods

Dollar General

Gander Mountain

J.C. Penny

K-Mart

Kohl's

HH Gregg

Macy's

MC Sports

Meijer

Michaels

Old Navy

Radio Shack

Rite Aid

Sears

ShopKo

Sports Authority

Stage

Staples

Stein Mart Black

Target

Toys R' Us

Walgreens

Walmart