Milford Mall Draws Criticism for Forcing Employees to Work Thanksgiving Day

By Brian McCready, Patch Editor

Westfield Connecticut Post mall in Milford is facing some serious opposition to its mandate that all retailers open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving day and remain open until at least 10 p.m.

The edict has led to a firestorm on social media, and already people are planning to boycott the 1201 Boston Post Road mall, which features more than 1 million square-feet of retail space, and is the city’s largest taxpayer.

On the mall’s Facebook page people are blasting mall officials’ decision requiring workers to open beginning at 6 p.m.

• Jon Anderson I hope her mom and dad don’t work at the mall. If they don’t, she won’t get to spend Thanksgiving with her parents this year.
• Broccoli Bane Boycott this mall for FORCING their employees to work on Thanksgiving Day.
• Vanessa Hernandez Santa is looking a bit greedy!
• Jay ElDiablo You guys forcing Santa in on thanksgiving too?

Why all of the outrage, well it’s because of a November 5 memo written by Mall General Manager Dan Kiley that was leaked this week on social media.

In the memo, Kiley writes to all mall retailers that everyone must open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving for “our retailers and customers who are eager to get a jump on Black Friday shopping.”

Mall officials are allowing retailers to close at midnight but must be open by 6 a.m. on Black Friday.

Do you have a problem with this mall requiring businesses to open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving? Will you be shopping on Thanksgiving day? Share in the comments below.