I've been working at the fuel center for two years, while going to community college the whole time. So after graduating school with an Associate's degree, I had my availability set to be completely open while I wasn't in school. However, a few weeks later I ended up checking out a new college on a whim, and to my surprise, I was accepted on the spot and was going to begin classes the next week. When I went to change my availability, it was too late to submit a request, so I submitted it for the second week of school and hoped for the best. It seemed like luck was on my side, as there ended up being no conflicts. However, the problem is what happened the next week.
After my first week of school went by with no schedule conflicts, I found out that the next week (the one that I put in the request for), had me scheduled for one hour later than when I had said I was available for. So my department manager and schedule writer had gone a full week without checking and approving my request. I looked at e-schedule and it was still pending. This didn't turn out to be too troublesome, I talked to the schedule writer, and he had a drug-gm employee cover the hour. The schedule writer told me to put in the availability request again, to make sure I did it correctly. So the week goes by and when the schedule for the next week, my third week of school, comes out, I am schedule for two shifts that go five hours past my availability. The schedule was printed on Friday, and neither my department manager nor my schedule writer were in the store, and I had the weekend off, so I didn't see them until Monday.
Now here's the kicker, when I approach my schedule writer, he tells me that it's my fault for not saying anything to him on Friday. I explain that he wasn't there on Friday when I looked for him, and he said it was my fault for not calling in on Saturday or Sunday. Later, while I'm working at the fuel center, he calls me on the phone, saying he's having trouble finding someone to cover my shifts, and that if I'm back in school, he needs to see my school schedule as proof. That in particular seemed suspicious to me, as I've had five availability changes in the past, and this is the first time they've ever mentioned it to me. Again he mentions that I should have told him sooner. Later, my department manager comes to the fuel center, and begins to tell me how if I have an availability change, I need to let them know beforehand, in addition to putting it in e-schedule. All the while guilt tripping me about it. Again, this is the first time I've heard of this.
So my questions are as follows: Am I responsible for not letting them know about my request beforehand, as well as not calling over the weekend to let them know that the schedule was conflicting with my school? I know if I were being thorough I should have done both of those, but I don't feel like it's my responsibility to make sure my superiors are doing their job correctly. And most of all, is asking for me to prove my availability okay for them to do at all? I'm fairly certain they're not supposed to ask at all, and especially not ask me for proof that I'm actually going to school, as though I'm lying about it.
Requests for availability changes are one of those blanket things where management will pull out "needs of the business" to make you feel bad or leave it in eternal pending just to screw with you.
Although, From the sounds of it your schedule writer and department head are trying to cover their own asses and push all the blame onto you. If you have the ability to show them your school schedule then just do it. Otherwise, it's none of their business what you need to do. I've put in restrictions so I can play video games with friends, but do they need to know that? No. If I was asked about it I'd just lie. If they wanted proof I'd just fake something to shut them up.
Your schooling is more important than Kroger. Don't ever let them take that away from you. Don't be a Kroger Drone forever.
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Thanks for the reply. I did end up showing them my schedule, I actually happened to have a copy with me so I showed it to him within thirty minutes of his asking. I was hoping it would come off as a passive-aggressive type action, but now I'm thinking it might have appeared as more of an obedient slave type action. Either way, I've decided that even if they can't work something out to have someone cover my shift, I'm going to leave when I need to anyways. I feel kind of bad about it, especially since we're kind of short-staffed at the moment, but I care more about my schooling so I can further myself in life. I'm just wondering if they'll actually be able to get me in trouble for it, but in the end I'm starting to care less and less. Maybe I need a new job.
Thanks for the reply. I did end up showing them my schedule, I actually happened to have a copy with me so I showed it to him within thirty minutes of his asking. I was hoping it would come off as a passive-aggressive type action, but now I'm thinking it might have appeared as more of an obedient slave type action. Either way, I've decided that even if they can't work something out to have someone cover my shift, I'm going to leave when I need to anyways. I feel kind of bad about it, especially since we're kind of short-staffed at the moment, but I care more about my schooling so I can further myself in life. I'm just wondering if they'll actually be able to get me in trouble for it, but in the end I'm starting to care less and less. Maybe I need a new job.
They can if they really want to. A better option would probably just call in and let them know that your schooling is the reason you are unable to make it. You can come and do a certain amount of work but be unable to complete the full shift.
Just walking out is job abandonment and can be punishable by termination.
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Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
BagBoy wrote: They can if they really want to. A better option would probably just call in and let them know that your schooling is the reason you are unable to make it. You can come and do a certain amount of work but be unable to complete the full shift.
Just walking out is job abandonment and can be punishable by termination.
Oh definitely, I am planning to be in full communication with them, but I'm going to be firm about leaving when I need to. The shift is 2:30pm-11:00pm, so I'll be there for the 2 1/2 hours, but I'm not staying past that. I think I'm just nervous about it all, this is the first time I've really had an issue like this, and I get nervous whenever I have to talk to them.
BagBoy wrote: They can if they really want to. A better option would probably just call in and let them know that your schooling is the reason you are unable to make it. You can come and do a certain amount of work but be unable to complete the full shift.
Just walking out is job abandonment and can be punishable by termination.
Oh definitely, I am planning to be in full communication with them, but I'm going to be firm about leaving when I need to. The shift is 2:30pm-11:00pm, so I'll be there for the 2 1/2 hours, but I'm not staying past that. I think I'm just nervous about it all, this is the first time I've really had an issue like this, and I get nervous whenever I have to talk to them.
I do too even though i've been working with them for white a while. They aren't going to like it but you have to be firm about it.
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availability changes should only come about once every six months
i wouldn't waste their time by going in two hours. if you just leave when you need, you risk it being considered job abandonment. might as well just call out.
Update: So now it's apparently my responsibility to ask the other employees if they can cover my shift. Is this valid reasoning? I'm going to do what I can but I don't think it's looking good. Is it right for them to force it on me? Should I clearly explain that I believe it is their fault for not approving or even reviewing my request?
Update: So now it's apparently my responsibility to ask the other employees if they can cover my shift. Is this valid reasoning? I'm going to do what I can but I don't think it's looking good. Is it right for them to force it on me? Should I clearly explain that I believe it is their fault for not approving or even reviewing my request?
if you call in, no, it's not your responsibility. You made it perfectly clear that you needed that time off for schooling many times, previous to this week. You did everything in your power to accommodate and inform them.
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Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
availability changes should only come about once every six months
i wouldn't waste their time by going in two hours. if you just leave when you need, you risk it being considered job abandonment. might as well just call out.
That's bull. Once every 6 months? Sorry management, the rest of us part-time employees have things happen in our lives. We aren't dedicated to the Kroger life like you.
