When elderly work in retail, why are they not allowed to sit?

RainMom, you raise good points from the retailer's standpoint.

I'm wondering if this is addressed in the AD Act. I guess it would depend on whether all older people are classified as disabled, which I think is a stretch, especially for ones like ex-Pres. Bush who can skydive (well, only once, I think).

Don't throw rocks at me. I'm not saying I agree with what I'm going to say, okay?

However - I worked in retail management for a long, long - long time. Too long.

First, there are a lot of different types of retailers. There is a world of difference between someone who works the register at a grocery store and someone who is one of two employees at a small specialty store. So here goes- off the top of my head:

If you allow it for one person - unless they have a documented disability- you have to allow it for everyone.

There is a worry that after ringing up a customer the employee will continue to sit when there are a dozen other things that need doing.

It is a way to force out someone who just isn't up to the job any longer.

Not pretty. Not fair. Not compassionate. Retail is a tough business. I once had a regional manager tell me to fire a store manager who was very good at her job. The regional thought she looked "cheap".
"Not (store name) material".

Maybe we should start boycotting stores that don't allow older employees to sit. If we tell them we'll start spending elsewhere, management probably won't pay attention until sales start dropping.

I hadn't really thought about this but I do see this in one of the chain grocery stores in this area.

I wonder if AARP would publicize this issue and offer some support?

I LOVE the grocery store where I shop. They have one lady who could be 100, I don't know how old she is. She is teensy and can barely reach the register, but she works FT and works HARD. She has a padded stool, as do all the checkers who'd like one. They use them at will. She told me once she had 4 generations living at her home and she had to work to help support "the circus" as she called them. Holy Cow. I LOVE that my store is so aware of their employees.

A suggestion from a customer is going to go a lot farther than a complaint from an employee.

I notice that Target also allows checkers with disabilities to sit. A couple at my store are in wheelchairs. One of the reasons I am loyal Target shopper. Stuff like that means a lot to me, it might be me one day!

I agree. Do you know of some business where an elderly employee has to stand all the time? Go to the manager and ask why. Now I'm going to be on the lookout for elderly employees standing.