Always read the fine print
October 11, 2014 1:33 PM Subscribe
I work part time, my boss asked me to cover a full timer's vacation, telling me I would be working 7:30-4 Monday-Friday. I agreed. Yesterday he surprised me by telling me I was actually supposed to work 7:30am-8:30pm that day. When I said he told me to work 7:30-4 all week he said, "Well it's been posted on the schedule." I didn't think I needed to look at the schedule. I said I wouldn't be able to stay past 4. Was I entirely in the wrong?
This is a new job (about 2 1/2 months) and so far I've been a bit of a yes-man when asked to cover someone's shift or work long hours for events. This is mostly because my availability is almost entirely open, unlike every other worker in my department, who have all have a very strict availability.
There are 3 types of shifts normally, unless there's an event. The full-time works Monday-Friday 7:30-4pm. The part-timers work 4pm-8:30pm on weeknights, or 10am-8:30pm on weekends. Three weeks ago my boss asked me if I could cover the full-timer's vacation and said I would be working her normal hours, Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm. He said I would be fine because I work the long weekend shifts and they are similar. I didn't want to, but because of my co-workers and their availability, I was really his only easy option, other than him pulling various employees from other departments to work different days.
Anyway, it turns out the full-timer has A LOT more responsibilities during the week days than on the weekend shifts I do, so it's been a stressful week. I was not at all warned about this when asked to cover or properly prepared for it beforehand. I've been criticized all week for not walking fast enough, not having a routine set, and not getting as much done as the full-timer is able to. Keep in mind, the same full-timer has worked there for almost 5 years and has the job down to a T. How they think I'm supposed to be on her level in less than 5 days is beyond me, but I've just smiled and tried to power through it, knowing it was temporary and I could get back into my old routine next week.
Around noon on Friday, I was so looking forward to a. being done with this, and b. actually having a weekend.. when my boss comes up to me and asks, "So you know you're supposed to be here till 8:30 tonight, right?" I could feel my face drop and I said, "No, you told me to work 7:30-4 this week." He goes, "Oh, well it's been posted on the schedule this whole week. I would really like you to work it but if you can't I'll just have to deal with it. Go on and take a look and let me know." He walked off and my mind was reeling a little bit. I barely slept the night before and I'd been looking forward to clocking out at 4 and vowing to never cover a vacation again.
A few minutes later I go into his office and say, "I'm really sorry but I'm not going to be able to stay until 8:30 tonight." He looks visibly annoyed and asks if I could at least stay until 7. I told him no again and he said, "All right. I'll just have Bill jump over and cover it for you. But you really need to be keeping any eye on the schedule." I said, "When we talked, you told me the hours I would be working, so I didn't think I would need to look at the schedule." He said everyone there has worked doubles before (not at all true, no one in my department has) and he would have to stay late tonight as well to cover for me. I felt like he was just trying to guilt trip me into staying so I didn't say much else. He was stern, but not overly upset and it seemed to be that he saw this coming.
The original discussion was three weeks ago and he never mentioned anything about me working 13 hours on Friday, and the full-timer never does, so it obviously didn't cross my mind. I saw him every day at work that week, all day, and he never mentioned it until noon on Friday.
Later, Bill came over and asked, "So you're not staying tonight, huh?" I told him what had happened, matter-of-factly and he said, "Yeah, I can remember quite a few times he's done that to me. And he told me it was originally a mistake on his part, but he just went with it." That annoyed me even more, but Bill wasn't too bothered about having to cover for me and no one else gave me a hard time about not staying. I apologized that he had to be the one to cover for me but he said it wasn't a big deal.
I know that technically I should always be looking at the schedule, but I didn't think I needed to this week. Everything was set in stone. I would work a 13-hour day once in a while if asked, but I wasn't asked, it's not a normal shift, the full-timer never does it, and I was just trying to make it to the end one of the more stressful weeks I wasn't properly prepared for. Yet I still feel a bit guilty, and I'm thinking of applying for other jobs this weekend as a back up plan if my boss decides this is a firable offense. Was I entirely in the wrong, or was it both of us? Should I have sucked it up and stayed, or was I right to stand my ground?
This is a new job (about 2 1/2 months) and so far I've been a bit of a yes-man when asked to cover someone's shift or work long hours for events. This is mostly because my availability is almost entirely open, unlike every other worker in my department, who have all have a very strict availability.
There are 3 types of shifts normally, unless there's an event. The full-time works Monday-Friday 7:30-4pm. The part-timers work 4pm-8:30pm on weeknights, or 10am-8:30pm on weekends. Three weeks ago my boss asked me if I could cover the full-timer's vacation and said I would be working her normal hours, Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm. He said I would be fine because I work the long weekend shifts and they are similar. I didn't want to, but because of my co-workers and their availability, I was really his only easy option, other than him pulling various employees from other departments to work different days.
Anyway, it turns out the full-timer has A LOT more responsibilities during the week days than on the weekend shifts I do, so it's been a stressful week. I was not at all warned about this when asked to cover or properly prepared for it beforehand. I've been criticized all week for not walking fast enough, not having a routine set, and not getting as much done as the full-timer is able to. Keep in mind, the same full-timer has worked there for almost 5 years and has the job down to a T. How they think I'm supposed to be on her level in less than 5 days is beyond me, but I've just smiled and tried to power through it, knowing it was temporary and I could get back into my old routine next week.
Around noon on Friday, I was so looking forward to a. being done with this, and b. actually having a weekend.. when my boss comes up to me and asks, "So you know you're supposed to be here till 8:30 tonight, right?" I could feel my face drop and I said, "No, you told me to work 7:30-4 this week." He goes, "Oh, well it's been posted on the schedule this whole week. I would really like you to work it but if you can't I'll just have to deal with it. Go on and take a look and let me know." He walked off and my mind was reeling a little bit. I barely slept the night before and I'd been looking forward to clocking out at 4 and vowing to never cover a vacation again.
A few minutes later I go into his office and say, "I'm really sorry but I'm not going to be able to stay until 8:30 tonight." He looks visibly annoyed and asks if I could at least stay until 7. I told him no again and he said, "All right. I'll just have Bill jump over and cover it for you. But you really need to be keeping any eye on the schedule." I said, "When we talked, you told me the hours I would be working, so I didn't think I would need to look at the schedule." He said everyone there has worked doubles before (not at all true, no one in my department has) and he would have to stay late tonight as well to cover for me. I felt like he was just trying to guilt trip me into staying so I didn't say much else. He was stern, but not overly upset and it seemed to be that he saw this coming.
The original discussion was three weeks ago and he never mentioned anything about me working 13 hours on Friday, and the full-timer never does, so it obviously didn't cross my mind. I saw him every day at work that week, all day, and he never mentioned it until noon on Friday.
Later, Bill came over and asked, "So you're not staying tonight, huh?" I told him what had happened, matter-of-factly and he said, "Yeah, I can remember quite a few times he's done that to me. And he told me it was originally a mistake on his part, but he just went with it." That annoyed me even more, but Bill wasn't too bothered about having to cover for me and no one else gave me a hard time about not staying. I apologized that he had to be the one to cover for me but he said it wasn't a big deal.
I know that technically I should always be looking at the schedule, but I didn't think I needed to this week. Everything was set in stone. I would work a 13-hour day once in a while if asked, but I wasn't asked, it's not a normal shift, the full-timer never does it, and I was just trying to make it to the end one of the more stressful weeks I wasn't properly prepared for. Yet I still feel a bit guilty, and I'm thinking of applying for other jobs this weekend as a back up plan if my boss decides this is a firable offense. Was I entirely in the wrong, or was it both of us? Should I have sucked it up and stayed, or was I right to stand my ground?
Good for you for sticking to your guns. Your boss made a totally dick move.
posted by random thoughts at 1:58 PM on October 11, 2014 [16 favorites]
posted by random thoughts at 1:58 PM on October 11, 2014 [16 favorites]
I think the crux of the confusion is "cover a coworker's vacation." You interpreted this as "do not do your usual job, instead do this other job." Your boss interpreted this as "do someone else's job in addition to parts of your usual job."
I totally agree with prior posters, you handled this well and your boss is kind of a dick. I would recommend in future shifts, clarifying what "covering" means for this organization before accepting a shift change.
posted by holyrood at 2:04 PM on October 11, 2014 [14 favorites]
I totally agree with prior posters, you handled this well and your boss is kind of a dick. I would recommend in future shifts, clarifying what "covering" means for this organization before accepting a shift change.
posted by holyrood at 2:04 PM on October 11, 2014 [14 favorites]
This is a good education in how your boss works, and you need to keep it in mind for future reference.
When he asks if you can 'cover' or whatever, I'd ask to see it in writing before saying yes or no, because hey - you gotta keep an eye on the schedule, right?
posted by John Kennedy Toole Box at 2:30 PM on October 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
When he asks if you can 'cover' or whatever, I'd ask to see it in writing before saying yes or no, because hey - you gotta keep an eye on the schedule, right?
posted by John Kennedy Toole Box at 2:30 PM on October 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
It sounds like your boss made a mistake in the schedule. He was hoping to guilt you into the extra hours so that he would not have to deal wit his mistake.
Don't waste another second worrying about this job. It sounds dysfunctional. Yep. Go ahead and apply for more jobs.
posted by jbenben at 2:40 PM on October 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
Don't waste another second worrying about this job. It sounds dysfunctional. Yep. Go ahead and apply for more jobs.
posted by jbenben at 2:40 PM on October 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
You totally did the right thing. Your boss was hoping to cover by guilting you into extra hours. Don't let him play on you and he'll likely stop.
I've had jobs where management played those games and the jobs were fine, once I let them know I was flexible but not a door mat.
Keep an eye on it, but unless there's other unpleasantness going on I wouldn't look for a different job, or worry about it.
posted by MadMadam at 3:10 PM on October 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
I've had jobs where management played those games and the jobs were fine, once I let them know I was flexible but not a door mat.
Keep an eye on it, but unless there's other unpleasantness going on I wouldn't look for a different job, or worry about it.
posted by MadMadam at 3:10 PM on October 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
There is a specific name for this type of management style, in fact not just a name but a catagory: dicks. Managers like this guy are dicks.
You did great. I admire you, standing up fast for yourself, even though tired and worn down. You rock!
Not one instant more wondering if you did wrong or right.
posted by dancestoblue at 4:14 PM on October 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
You did great. I admire you, standing up fast for yourself, even though tired and worn down. You rock!
Not one instant more wondering if you did wrong or right.
posted by dancestoblue at 4:14 PM on October 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Time for a new job. Your boss is a dick and anyone who bitched at you while you were covering vacation was a dick. Don't work for or with dicks.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:15 PM on October 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:15 PM on October 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
Agree with the comments above that your boss is a tool.
However, for future reference (both at this job and future ones):
I know that technically I should always be looking at the schedule, but I didn't think I needed to this week.
Hopefully you've learned a lesson from this experience. Your boss was wrong, but it is good practice to check all available sources of information to make sure everyone is on the same page and everything is clear to all involved.
Everything was set in stone.
Uh, no, sorry. A verbal agreement from 3 weeks ago ≠ "set in stone" in any way. In the future, get things in writing.
Again, your boss seems like a jerk and bears the bulk of the responsibility for this. But don't diminish your own mistakes here. Even a kind, considerate boss can misspeak and later misremember instructions he/she gave you verbally three weeks ago, which is why you should have been more thorough (checked the posted schedule) and why you should have asked for the details of the arrangement to be laid out clearly in writing.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 4:29 PM on October 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
However, for future reference (both at this job and future ones):
I know that technically I should always be looking at the schedule, but I didn't think I needed to this week.
Hopefully you've learned a lesson from this experience. Your boss was wrong, but it is good practice to check all available sources of information to make sure everyone is on the same page and everything is clear to all involved.
Everything was set in stone.
Uh, no, sorry. A verbal agreement from 3 weeks ago ≠ "set in stone" in any way. In the future, get things in writing.
Again, your boss seems like a jerk and bears the bulk of the responsibility for this. But don't diminish your own mistakes here. Even a kind, considerate boss can misspeak and later misremember instructions he/she gave you verbally three weeks ago, which is why you should have been more thorough (checked the posted schedule) and why you should have asked for the details of the arrangement to be laid out clearly in writing.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 4:29 PM on October 11, 2014 [4 favorites]
To be completely frank, leaving a shift before the boss dismisses you from it would have been a firing offense everywhere I've worked (and that's actually how some of my former co-workers have "quit" -- by leaving before the boss said they could go). It would have made absolutely no difference whether you'd seen the schedule or the shift was usually someone else's or whatever, you can't just clock out or leave because you're tired. My experience is mostly blue collar jobs or jobs with a lot of customer/receptionist/FOH responsibilities, though, so YMMV.
Was I entirely in the wrong, or was it both of us? Should I have sucked it up and stayed, or was I right to stand my ground?
It sucks that he assigned you to a double shift on a Friday after a long week, but them's the breaks. I think it was naive and shortsighted of you to appeal to the written schedule, as though that matters more than what your boss is actually saying to your face about what your hours will be, and to leave when you wanted to even though your boss wasn't happy about it and your co-worker was going to have to stay late in your place.
I don't think it was "wrong" to stand your ground, but I do think it would have been perceived as insubordinate anyplace I've worked.
I can't tell you what will happen. I would expect at least a private meeting with your boss and write-up for it, and it wouldn't surprise me if you get fired. But like I said, my work experiences might not translate to yours, so YMMV. And my fingers are crossed for you.
posted by rue72 at 5:01 PM on October 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
Was I entirely in the wrong, or was it both of us? Should I have sucked it up and stayed, or was I right to stand my ground?
It sucks that he assigned you to a double shift on a Friday after a long week, but them's the breaks. I think it was naive and shortsighted of you to appeal to the written schedule, as though that matters more than what your boss is actually saying to your face about what your hours will be, and to leave when you wanted to even though your boss wasn't happy about it and your co-worker was going to have to stay late in your place.
I don't think it was "wrong" to stand your ground, but I do think it would have been perceived as insubordinate anyplace I've worked.
I can't tell you what will happen. I would expect at least a private meeting with your boss and write-up for it, and it wouldn't surprise me if you get fired. But like I said, my work experiences might not translate to yours, so YMMV. And my fingers are crossed for you.
posted by rue72 at 5:01 PM on October 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
You are being mistreated by an asshole and I'm sorry.
Your post said "read the fine print" but as it turns out, there was NO print. Just a verbal request followed up by a dick move.
For you to accept this as ok or your fault in any way is to set yourself up for further exploitation. Don't do that. You are not responsible for your company's failure to adequately staff themselves!!
Going forward? Look for better work, and if you are stuck here for a while, be aware of what your boss is likely to pull. If you have work email, send a confirmation after your discussion "I will be working x-x from Day to Day, just to confirm. Thanks!" If you don't, then continue to insist on being allowed to leave after a long exhausting day. You deserve that. Boss may roll his eyes or grump. Tough shit, boss. People gotta get sleep and go home once in a while. Hire more people if you have a problem with it.
Especially at the beginning of a career (I don't know how long you've been working, but this seems to happen a lot to those new to the workforce), it's easy to get pulled into whatever dysfunctional shittery goes on at your workplace and accept that a.) you don't deserve better, b.) it's like this everywhere, and c.) the company's problems are yours to fix.
None of these things are true. Especially c. If there are too many orders, or the investors are screwing around, or they failed to budget for enough staff or equipment, you are not responsible for making it work anyway. Unless you own the company, it's not your issue to solve.
Best of luck and I hope your situation is better soon.
posted by emjaybee at 6:00 PM on October 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
Your post said "read the fine print" but as it turns out, there was NO print. Just a verbal request followed up by a dick move.
For you to accept this as ok or your fault in any way is to set yourself up for further exploitation. Don't do that. You are not responsible for your company's failure to adequately staff themselves!!
Going forward? Look for better work, and if you are stuck here for a while, be aware of what your boss is likely to pull. If you have work email, send a confirmation after your discussion "I will be working x-x from Day to Day, just to confirm. Thanks!" If you don't, then continue to insist on being allowed to leave after a long exhausting day. You deserve that. Boss may roll his eyes or grump. Tough shit, boss. People gotta get sleep and go home once in a while. Hire more people if you have a problem with it.
Especially at the beginning of a career (I don't know how long you've been working, but this seems to happen a lot to those new to the workforce), it's easy to get pulled into whatever dysfunctional shittery goes on at your workplace and accept that a.) you don't deserve better, b.) it's like this everywhere, and c.) the company's problems are yours to fix.
None of these things are true. Especially c. If there are too many orders, or the investors are screwing around, or they failed to budget for enough staff or equipment, you are not responsible for making it work anyway. Unless you own the company, it's not your issue to solve.
Best of luck and I hope your situation is better soon.
posted by emjaybee at 6:00 PM on October 11, 2014 [3 favorites]
My experience unfortunately reflects that of rue72, particularly in environments like retail, where yea, the bosses are often dicks, but yea, you can definitely get written up/fired for not showing up or staying anytime the boss wants you to. People saying that these type of bosses will be fine once you show them you are "not a doormat" are wrong. These types of bosses only keep employees who are doormats. That's how it works. It sucks.
posted by celtalitha at 7:12 PM on October 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by celtalitha at 7:12 PM on October 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
He knew he didn't originally ask you to work until 8:30 because he specifically said, "You know you're working until 8:30, right?" And then he said, "if you can't, just let me know." He was hoping you would just be a pushover and do it, and maybe he was expecting you to be a pushover based on your past behavior. It's good that he knows he can't just dick you around anymore. I wouldn't worry. You didn't do anything wrong. But do start looking at the schedule every week from now on. I really think you're worrying about this more than it actually warrants.
posted by AppleTurnover at 8:57 PM on October 11, 2014 [10 favorites]
posted by AppleTurnover at 8:57 PM on October 11, 2014 [10 favorites]
7:30am - 8:30pm is 13 hours, minus maybe an hour for a meal break or 2. For 5 days. If you work that schedule, that's 60 hours, and you must be paid time and a half for the 20 hours over 40. Comp time is not an acceptable alternative. If a bos asked me to work 20 hours of overtime, I'd cheerfully say Great. I could really use that overtime pay. Boss will backtrack soooooo fast, your head may spin.
Boss is creepy, good reminder that you are at work to get paid for doing your job. Don't let creepyboss, or any boss, exploit you.
posted by theora55 at 10:21 AM on October 12, 2014 [4 favorites]
Boss is creepy, good reminder that you are at work to get paid for doing your job. Don't let creepyboss, or any boss, exploit you.
posted by theora55 at 10:21 AM on October 12, 2014 [4 favorites]
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