Having a shift cut at work

[Callie]

I have a part time job that is just about 4 hours a week. The last few weeks I haven't been scheduled because its been super slow. Not a problem with me. This week I was suppose to have an on call shift from 4:30 to 7:30 today. I received a text that it had been cut last night from our boss. Well just now I have my assistant manager getting upset at me because now they want me to work an even longer shift (which I won't do). I told her I've already made plans because my shift was cut yesterday.

Not sure why they'd cut my shift and then suddenly need me again. Frustrating but I'm not going to ruin the plans I have for a job that hasn't even scheduled me the last 3 weeks.

 

[Vijoge]

My job cut shifts, too. We startat 6 AM, and we actually have to come in to work and then once everyone was there someone gets sent home. One day someone was sent home at six and about 10 another person got sick and had to leave. They called the person who was sent home and asked her to come back. LOL Yeah, she was gonna do THAT!

 

[Mizzoufan]

I have a part time job that is just about 4 hours a week. The last few weeks I haven't been scheduled because its been super slow. Not a problem with me. This week I was suppose to have an on call shift from 4:30 to 7:30 today. I received a text that it had been cut last night from our boss. Well just now I have my assistant manager getting upset at me because now they want me to work an even longer shift (which I won't do). I told her I've already made plans because my shift was cut yesterday.

Not sure why they'd cut my shift and then suddenly need me again. Frustrating but I'm not going to ruin the plans I have for a job that hasn't even scheduled me the last 3 weeks.

Who knows maybe someone was sick or had something come up. Happens a lot.

 

[NHdisneylover]

How set in stone are plans that you made only last night?

I would say that if you value the job and would like to be getting shifts again, or eventually get more hours, then suck it up and go in. If you'd rather not work there at all anymore, then don't and seriously consider giving your resignation while you are at it.

Honestly, it doesn't seem that out of line to me for a retail type job with on call things with a very part time employee

 

[xlxo]

@Callie: does this happen often? Is this job your only source of income? maybe it's time to research a second or additional job?

Does your job have "seasonal" slow periods in the year? Or is this a long cycle where it can be slow for several months? If several months.... it's time for a second job.

Where I am.... retailers and winter tourist operations are hiring for the Xmas rush.

I'm hearing some restaurants can't find staff for Xmas....
http://www.itv.com/news/2016-11-15/recruitment-agencies-fear-chef-shortage-over-christmas/

 

[Callie]

Oh, I have a full time job! This is just a job I've had for a while for extra fun money/ perks of the job. There is a busy season, and a slow season.

 

[ronandannette]

How set in stone are plans that you made only last night?

I would say that if you value the job and would like to be getting shifts again, or eventually get more hours, then suck it up and go in. If you'd rather not work there at all anymore, then don't and seriously consider giving your resignation while you are at it.

Honestly, it doesn't seem that out of line to me for a retail type job with on call things with a very part time employee

Agree, especially since the OP referred to it as an "on-call shift". Doesn't that mean they can either call you in or not, and the implication is that you'll work if needed? Not trying sound critical of the OP, but if I were the manager of that business and a casual employee declined a shift when it was designated "on-call", they would go to the bottom of the list in my future scheduling.

 

[disykat]

Her on call shift was cancelled, so she was no longer on call. Turning it down should be no different than turning down a random request. While I understand they are in a bind, employees can't be required to show up to any random phone call.

The manager was hoping she was still available since her on call status had been cancelled so recently. She wasn't. No harm, no foul.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Her on call shift was cancelled, so she was no longer on call. Turning it down should be no different than turning down a random request. While I understand they are in a bind, employees can't be required to show up to any random phone call.

The manager was hoping she was still available since her on call status had been cancelled so recently. She wasn't. No harm, no foul.

Honestly I would probably think of it a bit more this way if my reading were not colored by knowing the OP's history of problems in the workplace. Nonetheless---even without that, I woudl council someone who wants to be considered a team player and to get more hours to not reufse to take a shirt for plans made only a few hours earlier, after the on call was cancelled. it just doesn't look good.

BUT, it sounds like OP really doesn't need the money or job---so I am not sure why she doesn't just quit this one, seems like it would be less stress for her and allow the company to find someone who wants to work more. Win-win.

 

[powellrj]

I am going to guess that the boss cancelled the shift and the asst. manager found that the shift really needed to be filled is why she called you in. If you don't want to work the job, I agree quit and let them find someone who will fill the shift.

 

[focusondisney]

Sorry, I'm with the OP here. It isn't that she "doesn't want to work the job" as some of you are saying. She is only hired to work one 4 hour shift a week & hasn't even been given that in weeks. She finally gets scheduled, not for her regular 4 hours but a 3 hour "on call". Which was cancelled. Then they change their minds & want her to come in for even more than the 4 hours she would normally work. Nope. I wouldn't go in either. Employers that treat employees like that don't inspire a lot of loyalty or team spirit in their employees. Why would the OP go out of her way for an employer who treats her like that?

 

[tvguy]

. This week I was suppose to have an on call shift from 4:30 to 7:30 today. I received a text that it had been cut last night from our boss. Well just now I have my assistant manager getting upset at me because now they want me to work an even longer shift (which I won't do). I told her I've already made plans because my shift was cut yesterday.

Not sure why they'd cut my shift and then suddenly need me again. Frustrating but I'm not going to ruin the plans I have for a job that hasn't even scheduled me the last 3 weeks.

Sounds like the Assistant Manager and Boss need to get their act together about scheduling.

I always say good scheduling is the foundation of a well run business. Sadly, not everyone knows how to do scheduling, and what is alarming to me is how many people WHOSE JOB it is to do schedule, DON'T WANT to do it.
We have 3 people who do my job, on 3 shifts with an overlap of a few hours from one shift to the next. Our day shift person is off next week, and when I left yesterday, no plans had been made to cover that shift.
Or one of the 4 managers will pull my staff for a special project, on a day we are locked into a project that HAS to be done that day. Or worse, all 4 try to pull them. Of course, if they looked at the schedule they would know that it wasn't going to work

 

[Gumbo4x4]

4 hours a week & they expect you to be at their beck & call after previously telling you they weren't going to need you? Too bad, I say.

 

[Poohlove]

I had a 2nd job for a while and it was good as long as they left the schedule alone. The company was having some growing pain and the person who was handling the scheduling while she was very nice was overloaded at best. She was always trying to change things on me last minute and it got old fast. In the end it wasn't worth all of the aggravation so I gave it up.

I wouldn't sweat it or change my plans. It's not your fault they flip flopped.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

I would agree with some of the PP. I don't think it's fair for your shift to get cancelled then be called back and expected to be "a team player" unless of course you were being paid to BE on standby.

The equivalent would be if you woke up one morning and realized you had no plans that day. So you called this job and told them you want to work today. Then hold it against them if they declined. People need some kind of notice. You can't be expected to sit by the phone all week and wait for them to call.