Postal Letter

Can my employment change my work schedule, even if I have told my boss I really can't work that shift?

I have been working the same shift for 4 months now and in the same department for 4 1/2 years. Seniority doesn't count- I was told directly by my boss. Every one is happy with their shifts and got what they wanted.Now I'm stuck with the crappy one that I don't even want. I didn't agree to it. What do I do or can I do? Advice please...no stupid postal answers, that gets you reported. Ok, then I must add these: I can't work because I have a baby and no one else to take care of her that day and only one day with my husband as a family day. So the reason is legit. Can he fire me if I don't show on the scheduled day?

Public Comments

1. You can quit. That's about it.
2. Depends on what your agreement was when you were hired. If you have another job or school then they really shouldn't change your schedule around. But it is a business and it's up to them what they want to do. Maybe it's time to start looking for another job. If they've kept everyone else happy but you it sounds like they're trying to get you to quit anyway.
3. Unfortunately for you, there isn't anything you can do but explain why you can't work that shift and hope they change it for you, or quit. They are the employer and have to schedule people to work at the times they are needed. If they value you as an employee, they will change your schedule if you request it in a professional way. I hate to say this, but they could be trying to tell you something. As an employer, if I fire an employee who is not doing the job well, I get hit with unemployment charges. If the employee quits when there is work offered to them, no unemployment charges.
4. Depends on whether or not you have a contract and the contents of the contract. Also, depends on whether or not you belong to a union. If you are not under contract and you don't belong to a union then your boss can pretty much do whatever s/he wants with your work hours.
5. If your new shift conflicts with your school schedule, and you gave them fair notice, they can't make you work. Aside from that, you may be able to get your doctor to write a note saying that this new shift conflicts with your medical treatments (whether or not you have them), or that this shift is leaving you unable to sleep (whether or not that's true). You'd be surprised what a doctor will do if you ask nice.
6. There is a vast difference between "can't" and "don't want to". If you genuinely have a problem with the schedule due to daycare availability or transportation, this can be discussed with him. If he wont budge, you have no option but to quit. If you "can't" work because it interferes with choir practice, your bowling league, or your ability to see your boyfriend, your boss could care less. In his eyes, your job should be your first priority. It sounds as if you got the shaft, to be sure. It isn't fair, but you have no legal recourse. If you don't want to quit, you need to just suck it up and work the crappy hours until something better comes along. If you complain about it too much, you will only paint yourself as undedicated, difficult, and unprofessional. You can actually impede your chances for promotion or for being moved to a better shift down the road. Go ahead and feel screwed over and angry. You have a right to be. Just don't take it to work with you. Do what is asked eagerly and with a smile on your face, and your boss may be a little more sympathetic to your conflicts.
7. Be nice find another job. unless you have something in writing saying what you can work and that they agreed, they can do whatever they want. If you just don't show up they will fire you. so just be nice and see what happens or look for a new job. or go above your boss to their boss ask what your options are. Just don't freak out. is there any reason they would be trying to get you to quit?