What would you do?

[Sequin]

Ok, here is the situation(and I will be as impartial as possible telling only the honest facts): I work at a store and I enjoy the co-workers, the store, the customers, and even my boss who is the store owner. I work there part time, and have been there for the past two and a half years. Over the past year or maybe just a bit longer my hours have slowly been getting cut so that other workers may have increased hours(a previous employee who was full time came back and they gave her the bulk of my hours because she really had some bills to pay - I kid you not, this is what my manager told me). I explained that I would like additional hours and they promised that on the next schedule they would put in a few more hours. This has been going on for a while now, and they hired in another person(brother to the returning employee) because they said they needed someone as a 'fill in' person when others asked for time off. Which made me a little upset because I was cut back to MAYBE 10 hours a week - on a good week; usually it was more like 5. I asked for, and was granted, the privilege of purchasing items at wholesale; even though that was normally a privilege for full time employees. To accommodate the new employee they hired, my time was further cut to 3 hours a week. Always with promises that they would have more hours available on the next schedule when one of the other employees went on vacation; except it never materialized. This past weekend I was scheduled to work 3 hours, but we had an important event to attend and I had forgotten to ask for the day off(it was on Friday), so since it was me who messed up I was just going to work my shift and then go on to the event, even though I would be late. However, my husband absolutely refused and said the event was planned and we were going to go for the full day - he called in for me because I said I would not, if he wanted me to take the day then he needed to call in. He was polite about it, and explained the situation, but said I would not be in that day. Later, I received an email from the boss/owner stating how disappointed they were in me and how I would no longer receive the wholesale pricing and how it was a good thing I had stocked up the day previous. I understand their disappointment, but I have been a faithful, dependable, hard working employee for the few(disappointing) hours they schedule me. I also understand that there was not a guarantee of a certain number of hours and they were, and are, within their rights. I am not questioning that portion; my question is what would you do if you were in such a situation? If you were being disciplined because you could not come in to work for one day? As a side note, no one can survive on 3 hours a week - so I obviously wasn't working because I was in dire need of the job... hey, maybe if I had bills to pay I would have gotten more hours?!! Anyway, any one want to chime in with what they would do?

 

[Sherry]

Three hours a week isn't worth the time it would take to get ready to go to work.

I'd quit.

 

[chicmom]

I'd quit. End of story. This unfortunately happens sometimes when you work with an owner. Cutting your hours for this person they want to help and that relative they want to help is really rude. Senority apparently means nothing to them. If you've been a good employee, on time and not absent with a good work ethic, then they are just being unfair to you.

 

[Bunnylady]

Has this boss ever fired anybody? I don't mean to cast aspersions on you or your work (it may very well be them, not you) but it sounds to me like they are trying to edge you out, little by little, until you get fed up enough to quit! Doing favors for friends or family members doesn't mean messing up the life of a long-term employee (in today's workforce, two and a half years is a long time, particularly for part-time employment

)

Many years ago, I worked for a popular delivery pizza chain. I can't tell you how many times I watched the managers (who were all young) gang up on one driver, picking away and irritating that one employee, until they finally had enough and left. Not my idea of a good management practice! I remember complaining about coming in to work one day, and suddenly finding out that I had been scheduled to close the store that night (it hadn't been on the schedule the night before, someone else had been scheduled, and begged off. The store closed at 1-2 a.m, the clean up kept you there for 1-2 more hours). I was given a lecture on loyalty and everybody pulling their weight, which stopped abruptly when I pointed out that it was the third time that week that it had happened to me. Funny how loyalty only goes one way, huh?

 

[debilorrah]

Let me get this right - the boss sends you on a guilt trip for not showing up for 3 lousy hours, after he cuts your hours back to practically nothing?? Long walk off a short pier, buddy.

 

[Sequin]

Thanks so much friends! I have decided to quit. I agree that they have been unfair, and yes, that sometimes happens when you work with an owner and not a larger corporation; but worse than that, they based their views and trust of my work ethic(even though I have been reliable and give 110%) on previous employees conduct and habits. This, I feel, is the most unfair and rude; and not something I personally agree with nor do I want to work with. So, being courteous and kind, I gave my two weeks notice. I also told them that I am fully intending on working all my scheduled hours between now and then. If they tell me not to come in, I will go to the unemployment office and file for unemployment - as I do believe that is considered being laid off during that time.

Huge thanks again, I really do appreciate it.

 

[Southernbelle]

I've heard of a lot of companies that try to force employees to quit by reducing their hours to next to nothing. For whatever reason, it sounds like they were doing it to you. I hope a much better job is waiting for you down the road.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
When I was a manager at McDonald's, we used to do that to employees we weren't happy with. That way they can't draw unemployment and it's their decision, not McDonald's. Only a few individuals worked 4 hours a week for any length of time. The store manager who was there the last 2 years I was there was a jerk and had his definite favorites, usually his drinking buddies or nubile, blond 16 yr old girls. I was personnel manager for over a year and was told by him to give those girls their max of 18 hours a week but I was supposed to give another woman who was a single mother only 4-8 hours a week. Then when I got pregnant and took 12 weeks of maternity leave rather than 6, I had only 15 hours a week coming back. Oh, well. I'm not there any more.

Good luck with the job search.

 

[Sequin]

I would have to agree, it seems as though they didn't want to man up and just fire me - 'cause they would have to pay unemployment. They have done this in the past to another employee, and stated to me why they didn't fire the person outright. Which, I think is rather wrong, but it happens. The other person also had not done anything noticeably wrong, showed up for their scheduled hours etc. I know often times we only hear one side of the story, and it is human nature to present ourselves in a better light. I know I am not perfect, everyone has things to work on, but I promise you this, I was loyal, dependable, honest, kind, arrived on time, and excelled in customer service/sales. I also recognize that they were probably doing the same thing to me as the other employee; however, my response was not to get mad, but to be happy for the hours they gave me. Guessing my response is not what they expected, LOL - but this, to be told that they had a feeling I wouldn't show up for work... well, it stings that they thought so little of me though I have a long track record of always being there for them. Sad, really, 'cause I really Liked the store I worked in.

Thanks soo much friends for being here and sharing advice and thoughts. I really do appreciate it very much!!! Now, the sun is shining, the chickens are out, and I am gonna sit in the lounge chair in the shade with a beer!!!

 

[sourland]

You did the right thing. We can only be taken advantage of if we allow it. He is trying to justify his actions to himself because he knows that he did you wrong. Guy sounds like a real jerk. Right on for your husband. I stay out of my wife's business, but in this instance I would have intervened too. enjoy your summer and get another job when possible.