I need advice.

Anonymous

July 27,2023 at 2:37AM UTC

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I need advice. I started a part time job and when I was talking to them about accepting the job I explained that my daughter would be starting therapy soon and would need one day a week off each week. It is in retail so I am scheduled any day of the week and often week every weekend. But I made it clear that this was something I would need time off each week for. It’s the same day every week so there’s never a surprise. I didn’t know what day it was when I started but we had agreed that I would let them know as soon as I found out. A couple weeks in I finally got the call for my daughter to be put on the schedule (there was a wait for it and has been a process). I told them immediately and didn’t have any issues the first week or two as I wasn’t even scheduled for that day of the week. I did notify HR of the day and my manager. I had a verbal conversation and then also submitted it in writing. I submitted it twice in writing as there was a slight change in one of my other days availability but I kept that same day as unavailable. My manager scheduled me for that one day and when we were both at work I approached him about it. I told him how I was scheduled but I wouldn’t make it and I asked if I needed to find coverage and he said it would be great if I did so he wouldn’t have to go changing stuff around. I thought it was a one time occurrence so I found coverage. Since then I have had to do it again twice (I’m only about two to three months in at this job). I told him today I found coverage again and he didn’t seem bothered that I had to do this so frequently but did make a comment about not wanting to get into scheduling stuff which I wasn’t sure what he meant there. Anyway, I go to check my schedule and he’s scheduled me again for the one day I cannot be there. How should I approach this? I can’t keep finding coverage. I feel like an annoyance always asking people and I don’t really have the time between this job, my other job, school, and being a mom. It’s too much and it’s been a constant problem. I’m beginning to think he just doesn’t care.

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Martha YoungbloodJuly 27,2023 at 1:06PM UTC
I also work retail. If there's an app or whatever where you access your schedule, there's usually a place on there where you can change your availability to being unavailable the day you need to be off. If it's anything like the one we use (Kronos), once we block off that day, the manager won't be able to schedule us.
Also, your manager sounds lazy - it doesn't take 5 minutes to fix the schedule.
AnonymousJuly 27,2023 at 1:12PM UTC
First make sure the scheduling software shows you as unavailable. If it does, your Manager is choosing to manually override this and schedule you anyway. He will see you are unavailable as he is doing this. There is probably a hole he can’t see a way to fill and is making you do it for him.
Or He may be creating a constructive discharge by making your work life hard enough to make you quit. This is a lazy way to get rid of employees rather than trying to improve performance and it is against the law. I would let HR know if you believe this is what is happening. Also consult an employment attorney (google constructive discharge to learn more).
Only you can judge what is happening but either way you have a lazy manager. Please don’t accept this. Keep a paper trail…inform him in writing every time this happens. Keep copies of everything you submit/send. If it doesn’t change start copying HR. Label it intolerable.
AnonymousJuly 27,2023 at 1:38PM UTC
You are right: he doesn't care. This is something that can be a problem in retail. A good retail manager will have a method of making sure there is enough coverage for every shift and block off days when others cannot be available. He could easily do this, as many resources help in this (scheduling software, spreadsheets, etc.). He chooses not to.
AnonymousJuly 31,2023 at 5:23PM UTC
You are expecting your employer to change their world for you. If you have the one time that your child needs therapy keep in consistent and let the doctor and your employer know it is immovable as much as possible. You need to change your mindset because their world does not revolve around your needs you need to adjust or find a job where the flexibility is greater than what you describe. Your manager is not going to spend his time focused on re-scheduling you.
Annette AdairAugust 2,2023 at 12:25PM UTC
If you read her post, therapy is the same day every week. She sent a note to HR and her manager letting them know she was unavailable for work that day but keeps getting scheduled.
AnonymousAugust 2,2023 at 1:37PM UTC
The therapy is the same day each week. It is not unusual to request the same day off each week. My son has it where he works. Plus this was discussed and agreed upon before she even took this role.
Kristin BurnsAugust 2,2023 at 4:33PM UTC
It's not too much to ask for respect in your job. If they agreed to schedule around 1 day weekly she cannot work, the shift supervisor should hold to that and do their job. We are not robots, we have families, and we deserve to have needs.
Lori Laurito BetzAugust 2,2023 at 5:30PM UTC
Ah yes, always the anonymous poster thinking they’re saying the tough things nobody else wants to hear or say… #1. Put your name and face to it and own your words, erroneous as they are; #2. The therapy is the SAME DAY EVERY WEEK; #3. It was explained and agreed upon at the time of hire; #4. You need to change your mindset that people are just out here expecting the everything to go their way.
Kristin BurnsAugust 2,2023 at 12:51PM UTC
It's reasonable to have the same day off every week. You agreed to this role with that agreed. Ask your boss to handle it going forward - you have been doing their job by finding coverage.
Emily PhelanAugust 2,2023 at 2:57PM UTC
I would be reiterating to him in an email, with HR on copy, that this was an agreement made when you were offered and accepted employment. This is inexcusable. It is ONE day, and the same day every week. It's not a heavy lift for him to FIGURE. IT. OUT. He is the manager, it's his job.
Tami CannizzaroAugust 2,2023 at 3:03PM UTC
Agree with others here (I also have a second, PT retail job) - the scheduling software should show your availability. If the manager (or assistant) has not updated it, then this is on them. I/my coworkers have had similar issues when the scheduling duties have shifted to someone new who is unaware of our scheduling priorities. We are fortunate that all it takes is a quick conversation to clear the air.
If it were me, I would approach with, "I really enjoy this job and want to make sure I'm here on time as scheduled; what can I do to make sure I'm not scheduled on the day I take my daughter to therapy?"
See what the manager says. If they are not willing to make accommodations, the good news is there are tons of retail jobs available and I'm sure you could find another one quickly vs. fighting this until it eventually wears you out.
AnonymousAugust 2,2023 at 5:12PM UTC
This is 100% on the manager. I worked PT retail when I was in college. I had a set schedule for 3 years! It was clear and never a problem. I also was a manager years later and had a student employee who needed to adjust her availability every semester (she would try to keep it as consistent as possible) based on her classes. This was also never a problem. This person is just not paying attention or doesn't care to make adjustments to how they manage their work and then passing the onus onto you.
I would take other's advice and email both the manager and HR reminding them of the agreement. If this is a multi-door retailer you should include the district manager as well. If the HR person you have been in contact with is just for your location then include corporate HR.
Liz MilneAugust 3,2023 at 4:05AM UTC
Put it in writing to him and whoever else needs to know that you CANNOT work that day, as per your discussion prior to taking the job. Be polite and businesslike, but completely unapologetic - he's taking the mickey by not checking everyone's availability while he's making up the rota. Yes, it can be a pain in the arse, but I've done rotas and never scheduled someone when they're not available, it's not rocket science!