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Boss Issues An Ultimatum After Woman Refuses To Work On Her Time Off, She Doesn’t Waste A Second And Quits
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Boss Issues An Ultimatum After Woman Refuses To Work On Her Time Off, She Doesn’t Waste A Second And Quits

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Many Americans and a couple of other folks will argue that the fourth Thursday of November is one of the greatest days of the year.

Thanksgiving is a real blessing since it gives us a whole day when there is no need to be anywhere else but with our loved ones, without the burden of looking for the perfect gifts, yet still in the company of some fabulous food.

Though before we can start stuffing ourselves with that delicious turkey, there’s one thing that every working person ought to do, and it’s to request that time off.

When preparing to take a leave, it is advisable to follow a certain routine. For instance, you should notify your employer in advance that you want to take time off; the notice should be at least twice as long as the number of days you intend to take. The same holds for your employer and their refusal. If they decide not to grant it, they should give you at least as much notice as your desired leave. However, like in the case of this Redditor, some workplaces simply lack respect for their employees.

More info: Reddit | Sarah Burrows | Alice Stapleton

Having a bad boss isn’t your fault – however, staying with one is

Image credits: Kelly Sue DeConnick (not the actual photo)

I feel like I can breathe again” – this netizen turned to one of Reddit’s favorite communities to reveal a text conversation that she recently had with her boss. The post managed to garner over 147K upvotes in just a span of a few days, as well as 7.1K comments discussing the audacity of some managers.

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Woman quits over text after boss tries to make her work on her time off

Image credits: bearandthebunny

It’s no big secret that this whole “I’d rather be tired than broke” mentality is a bunch of malarkey. Everyone knows that getting some time off from work is essential. Visiting distant family, spending a week with your couch, going abroad to enjoy some sun and sip on margaritas – whatever it may be, you have the right to break out from this frequently pretty taxing routine.

Now, this doesn’t change the fact that some – or perhaps most – employers regard working ourselves to the bone to be the norm and an expectation, even – but without regular breaks, your productivity will decline and you’ll start to burn out, meaning that the bosses themselves will suffer.

Fellow Reddit users shared their thoughts and opinions on this eventful text exchange

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Bored Panda decided to reach out to a couple of professionals to get their take on this text exchange. Sarah Burrows is our first expert, and here’s what she says about herself: “I’m a Career Change Coach based in London. I’m passionate about helping people change career and find a role that is suited to them and aligns with their values. I support my clients to break down the overwhelm, increase motivation, and ultimately help them find a job that fulfills them and makes them excited to go to work.”

We asked Sarah what a person should do if they find themselves in a similar scenario, and she replied: “Is there an expectation to be contactable outside of your working hours in the first instance? Is it necessary to respond to your boss at all hours? Especially for those last-minute requests? These are more general boundaries that can be good to exercise in any job where your personal mobile number is shared. There is no single answer for this, at times it might be necessary but you need to manage your own boundaries first if you don’t want to do it.”

Now, we then posed the same question to our second expert, Alice Stapleton. Identically to Sarah, Alice is a career coach that helps individuals decide what career they’d prefer to be doing, and how to go about making that a reality, and here’s what she had to say: “I would advocate calling the boss and discussing the situation over the phone, if possible. Perhaps there’s a compromise or negotiation conversation to be had where both parties get what they need. It’s absolutely reasonable to maintain boundaries and not accept disrespectful behavior from a manager.”

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We then asked how one might resist succumbing to such provocations. “Speak to your boss assertively about their behavior. Describe how it makes you feel using ‘I’ statements, not ‘You’ statements, as they can get defensive and the situation can escalate. Respectfully ask for their behavior to change. You have the right to lodge a formal complaint to the organization if the behavior continues. It is perfectly acceptable to stand up for yourself in these situations,” said Alice.

Sarah, our first interviewee, also responded: ““It’s easy to want to be helpful at work and want to prove yourself, but saying no and following through with it is also good to practice. If you ABSOLUTELY can’t say no, and you feel like you need to go in on that occasion if you can’t quit, and if this happens regularly and you’re not ok with it, then it might be worth thinking about an exit strategy, it seems like that workplace doesn’t suit you & your lifestyle.”

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Image credits: Quinn Dombrowski (not the actual photo)

Finally, both experts were asked whether they had any advice for managers who treat their employees in a similar manner. Sarah replied: “Treating the staff team well will be beneficial in the long run. Staff well-being is linked to staff retention! Don’t rehire and retrain when you don’t need to! Do it, for yourself!

“Respect your employees. They are human, just like you. Accept that they have lives outside work. Collaborate with them in situations where a problem needs solving. Treat them like the capable adult that they are, trusting them to come up with a solution. Remember to treat others how you would like to be treated. Communication is key to building trust and an accommodating workforce – they won’t want to help you out when you’re in a bind if you treat them like they don’t matter to you,” said Alice.

What do you think about this situation?

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Darja Zinina

Darja Zinina

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Darja is a Content Creator at Bored Panda. She studied at the University of Westminster, where she got her Bachelor's degree in Contemporary Media Practice. She loves photography, foreign music and re-watching Forrest Gump.

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Darja Zinina

Darja Zinina

Author, Community member

Darja is a Content Creator at Bored Panda. She studied at the University of Westminster, where she got her Bachelor's degree in Contemporary Media Practice. She loves photography, foreign music and re-watching Forrest Gump.

Saulė Tolstych

Saulė Tolstych

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Saulė is a photo editor at Bored Panda with bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design. The thing that relaxes her the best is going into YouTube rabbit hole. In her free time she loves painting, embroidering and taking walks in nature.

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Saulė Tolstych

Saulė Tolstych

Author, Community member

Saulė is a photo editor at Bored Panda with bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design. The thing that relaxes her the best is going into YouTube rabbit hole. In her free time she loves painting, embroidering and taking walks in nature.

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rodfergie avatar
Roddfergg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked 10 hours daily, Mon-Thus. That schedule was set in stone when I was hired. There was no problem for about a year, then I got a new supervisor. He didn't like me because I was 20 years older and, I knew more than him, since I used to do his job, and his bosses job. He started saying that I needed to start working Fridays. To he more of a team player. I let him know in no uncertain terms my hiring contract said otherwise. He decided to schedule me on a Friday, right before our financial year end. Told him I wasn't coming in, so he fired me. His boss started calling me Wednesday begging me to come back, since I was rhe only one to know how to get the numbers needed to close out the books. Told them they should have thought of that before they threatened and fired someone that just works, to keep busy. They had a great time with an IRS audit.

mwolcendorf-motog avatar
m.w.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not "my rates are $500 an hour started, minimum 4h a day, and the new supervisor is having a week off while I work there"?

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lanebass1990 avatar
Lane Bass
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's almost like everybody deserves the holiday off. No, that can't be it.

michaellargey avatar
Michael Largey
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could have replied to the higher-ups "I'm gone unless he is. Your choice."

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terrirobinson avatar
Terri Robinson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a full time job and a weekend part time job. The weekend part time job was because I was single and cashiering was easy. So one Thanksgiving they pulled the same thing with me. "You're working Thanksgiving", no I'm not. "yes you are." No I'm not. I don't need this job. "yes you do." no I don't, this just gave me something to do on the weekends + extra cash. I have a full time job. "you're scheduled to work". nope. I quit. good luck with that schedule! Had all the other cashier's clapping and patting me on the back on the way out the door. Went the following weekend to another business and started immediately back to weekend cashiering for something to do and meet people.

rodfergie avatar
Roddfergg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should have made them fire you. If you are hired just to work those days, it is consideredan employment contract, they can be made to pay a partial unemployment for firing without cause. Usually about $50 a week, but it also helps anyone else they pull this with, since it shows precedence.

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fourthrowe avatar
DJR
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the phone number to your business isn't 911 (999 for my UK friends), there is no reason to be open on Thanksgiving. But, we the consumers are the problem. If we would stop buying stuff at times we all agree would suck to work (weekends, early mornings, holidays) the businesses would stop making people work during those times. Easy to say, harder to do. I bought breakfast at 6am today (Saturday) on my way in to work.

fakeslashdash6 avatar
Jason Melvil
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The whole point of having time off is to enjoy yourself. That doesn't mean shutting yourself at home like a caveman. If you want to go on your holiday to the movies, eat at a restaurant, go to a theme park etc there's nothing wrong with that. But guess what? Someone still has to work to make sure you have your fun. Though other countries recognize this and force employees to pay extra for anyone who has to work those days - so they keep the minimal staff needed and the workers are well compensated for it.

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ivyruonakoski avatar
Ivy la Sangrienta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The US is wild. Firing someone for frivolous reasons like that is super illegal in my country.

kw_5 avatar
K W
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did it say what kind of business it is? I really love the trend of closing for Thansgiving and I don't understand non essential businesses that don't at this point.

kathrynbaylis avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Greed. Pure, unadulterated greed. And being an a*****e, especially if they always take weekends and holidays off themselves, but threaten employees who had time off already OK’d—-sometimes in place for months and taken away at the last minute—-with loss of their jobs if they don’t come in and work on that pre-approved time off. F**k that. YOU work it boss.

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lynemma avatar
BravePanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to work for a major high-end retailer that would be closed to customers on Thanksgiving but did 80% of the holiday decorations on Thanksgiving Day. If you volunteered to work that day, you'd receive 2X hourly pay, a restaurant provided Thanksgiving meal, a pie to take home, and a fun, "Santa's elves in the workshop" atmosphere. I was a part time employee and didn't get selected to work. There were far more volunteers than open spots. Then on Friday, the store would have had a major Christmas makeover much to the delight of our frequent shoppers.

oshaunfisher avatar
Jerry Mathers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand what leverage these guys think they have. Especially when people are working a minimum wage (or lower, for restaurants) job. Like do they really think that the threat of not having a low paying job is not replaceable or something of value. Like someone couldn't just get another one. That's the problem with paying people rock bottom salaries. They are easily replaced.

jjmai avatar
JJ Mai
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember at my first real job, I requested off a week of vacation like 3-4 months in advance. It was approved. About a month before my vacation we had a high turnover of people, so a lot of firings and people quitting. We were short staffed. I did pick up extra the month before. Then the new schedule came out and my PTO wasn't on there. I took it to my supervisor. She said we were on a vacation "lock out" due to staffing. I went to HR. They said they had no record of me ever requesting it off. It wasn't until I posted my grievance on Facebook that they suddenly gave me my vacation back. All the "old timers" and my supervisor told me how unprofessional I was, but I was just like "I got my vacation, didn't I?" And that's why I save pictures and copies of my requests and approvals now. For evidence.

curtismulry avatar
C.M.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have just stopped replying when he gave the ultimatum and enjoyed my days off. I would have shown up on my next scheduled shift and if they fired me I'd thank them for the unemployment.

xitlalibeltran-xb-xb avatar
Lena Frost
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My work place put up a paper in our breakroom about how no one can ask for Halloween + day after, Thanksgiving + day after, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, or New Year's off and if anyone fails to show up they'll be suspended for a week without pay. And they still wonder why people keep quitting.

curtismulry avatar
C.M.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, so instead of the day after the holiday off I get the entire week after the holiday off? Where do I sign up?

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lynmoffett avatar
Lyn Moffett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Call me now so you don't have what I'm about to say in writing!!!! Must have been gonna threaten him and didn't want OP to show it to HR

evelyn_haskins_7 avatar
Evelyn Haskins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am constantly amazed as to the USAmerican System. :-( Stop thinking of yourselves as the Land of the Free, and think the Land of the Downtrodden.

ronniecutshall avatar
Ronnie Cutshall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That happened to me and did same thing. They closed store down three weeks later as no one should work 3rd shift but Me.

patrickkyker avatar
PK
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't ever quit let them fire you so you get unemployment.

lolat5082 avatar
Lori T Wisconsin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the US the Fair Labor Standards Act doesn’t support you when it comes to vacation time. The FSLA doesn't require employees to be paid for time not worked, such as vacation, sick time, or holidays. Since employees are never legally entitled to time off in the first place, there is no discourse when it is canceled. We have no decent laws that support workers rights.

kjl01 avatar
Karen Lyon
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was young and working my way through college, I did the fast food thing. I'm the oldest of five, so I always had lots of responsibilities, and often had to step up and cover for one of my other siblings when they'd "forget" to do something. (My brothers and my sister really are the best, but when we were young, they'd blow stuff off, of course. My sister, the baby of the family, often got away with things like not putting the meatloaf in the oven. Me, not so much! LOL.) It was what it was -- but the real effect was that I was trained to be that always reliable person. Managers like the guy in this post love people like me -- mine once told an assistant manager "Oh, Karen will do it", before he even asked me. It took me awhile in to recognize when my manager was taking advantage of me -- hearing what he told the assistant manager was a wake up call! I'm glad for the lesson. I learned to set boundaries and look after myself, instead of letting people think I'd always "be there".

neillpowell avatar
Neill Powell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our bosses wouldn't dare. While we do planned work at night and the occasional "hail-Mary" from colleagues.. being "on leave" is cardinal law. Work phones are turned OFF (personal phone numbers are only accessible by top senior management for true emergencies) and you are considered to have left on a journey to a remote desert

markjanssen avatar
Mark Janssen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have called the CEO and showed the texts. Then tell the CEO it is either the manager is gone or I am gone.

lblsj65 avatar
Liz-ard
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn’t catch what this work was at, BUT I feel there is not such big problem the boss have steamed up it to be. If it is hard to get employees to work at special occasions - like special holidays as in this post - what the heck CLOSE the place! Put up a sign “We have chosen our families this weekend and closed *what-ever-business*. See you again *date*!” !!! Think that would create an enormous WIN for both the workplace AND the boss! There is even a possibility that he would come to have to say “thanks, but I have all employees I need right now” to a row of people wanting to work there! Just a thought …

valica810 avatar
Valerie Mace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless I'm not busy, no real plans & paying time & half, not going in. And want that in a text.

matthewraiche avatar
Matthew Raiche
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Working ourselves to the bone" is not the expression. That doesn't even make sense. The expression is "Working one's fingers to the bone."

lexiburris04 avatar
Xander Kurtz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly next time a supervisor should be asking me for a favor, treating me with respect, and accepting no for an answer (especially regarding coming in on days off that i need for physical recovery), but they decide to try to power trip and try to threaten me instead. I will make their jobs harder. I already left my last job for that same reason pretty much. It wasnt my day off but my ride didn't come. They scheduled me to work weekends after i already requested only to work during public transit hours. So u called in and she started telling me to "just walk" when i already wasn't sure how i could stand that long to begin with without walking 2 miles for about $20 for the day. She said they were just too short staffed to let me not come in etc so if i don't i won't work there anymore. She didn't know the hospital was wanting me to choose between the two, paid more, and let me bend, kneel, and sit as needed/possible for no tasks. So it was not at all hard to decide what to do.

lexiburris04 avatar
Xander Kurtz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am semi disabled but getting approved for the label and thus accomodation requirements is hard, takes a long time, and is expensive with all the doctors visits needed. So i have to try to navigate the working world as an autistic person with PTSD and issues with both my hip and hand/wrist that i can't really afford to diagnose (though blood and electric tests bean when i was on parents healthcare showed it wasn't RA, lupus, or carpal tunnel. Tendonitis seems likely to be now. But i do have reynauds and recently found it too can have similar effects over time.) I just. Physically and psychologically can't handle these kinds of managers or situations. And if everyone stood up for themselves and made reasonable accomodations (like even sticking to agreed and approved time off) it would make it a lot easier for me to function well enough to keep a job for more than a couple months

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bluskyelin4me avatar
bluskyelin4me
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never tell them you quit. Let them fire you...for taking time off that was already approved. You'll be able to collect unemployment while looking for a better job.

kadochi avatar
Kadochi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the third time I've seen this "story" and twice on bp and once elsewhere and all the names are changed in every version lol. How lazy have "journalist" become.

louiseplatiel avatar
Louise Platiel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always ends with "please call me now" HAHA thats the sign you are too late to the table my friend!

ovataacronicta avatar
Ovata Acronicta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Back the ol retail days... before Thanksgiving, the CEO of the company sent out a newsletter expressing his gratitude for being able to spend Turkeygeddon with his family. Coincidentally, every single person in the store was scheduled for a shortened shift that day (at least the store manager thought to make it equal, as shitty as it was that we had to be there at all). The newsletter did not go over well, and half of us were under the influence of one substance or another to make it palatable. Cue, of course, the shopper asking why we were there that day. You, it's your fault. I can give or take a lot of holidays but Tday... man let me go home and eat.

phillyreo avatar
GD
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are we really having this discussion? Obviously lacking in any meaningful leadership. The company is a disaster—or at the very least is managed by an incompetent shitheel. Why should someone come in to do a job that’s completely useless for someone who’s an obvious tool? I’d fire them all and start over if it was my company. Good grief. What a “manager” 🤣🤣

atribe1973 avatar
Sammie 19
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Sweden we celebrate and open presents on Christmas eve and my local supermarket and other stores in my town close at 1pm on Christmas eve so that the workers can go home and have a good Christmas with their family. The only people who are working are in the healthcare area/emergency services. I remember my middle daughter offering to work Christmas and New year because she got triple pay for working and she works with the elderly. In Sweden over the summer all staff get 4 weeks paid vacation and for those who didn't take those 4 weeks they got triple pay and could take the 4 weeks at other times of the year. She was on maternity leave after having her baby in February but worked the whole summer because of how much she was paid. Helped to buy a house. Her partner's work closed for the summer so no money lost from him.

jimray_1 avatar
Jim Ray
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't owe any employer a damn thing. I don't ask, I am making you aware I won't be there and if you push back, I quit. Don't call me when I'm off or I will quit and don't even get me started on two weeks notice. Hell no, you don't give us 2 weeks notice before you fire us so you can't get that either. I QUIT! IN LMAO

katmin avatar
Kat Min
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I keeep reading these stories on BP. It's 2022 - do some managers lack the ability to adapt and learn? The times of relentless exploitation of qualified staff for low pay are over and done with!

johnhuynh avatar
John
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never force a decision unless you are willing to live with the choice made. Turned out, the boss couldn't live with her choice.

kesti-nielsen avatar
TheElderNom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My work is legally allowed to force people to work, public service and all that. But they're still trying everything to avoid doing that. They're also try to help us if we need to switch days or take a day off. And well, that makes most of us willing to help them in return. Obviously it's not perfect, far from it, but generally speaking things feel fair and we're all willing to help make things work.

jodywhitmarsh avatar
Jody Whitmarsh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did he fire or threaten to fire the person that called off and didn't get their shift covered?

ahmadpujianto avatar
The Cute Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sound like my own situation before jumping to other profession. Actually there are tons of candidates but the clinic that I work prefers to over work us because our pay for extend is low. Medic life is so mentally unhealthy

amcgregor7419 avatar
Tams21
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you give an ultimatum to anyone, you have to be prepared for the consequences. It said further down that it sounded like the manager was crying... Hopefully it will be a lesson.

shawnlaframboise avatar
Shawn Laframboise
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All new & employees are told that if they normally work on a Thursday (Thanksgiving) then they have to work or make arrangements with a coworker. Everyone works either Christmas Eve or Christmas day. No one, including me the manager, can not request off big holidays. We all have families & want to be with them. I've done this for 10 yrs now & haven't had a problem.

jessicaolson avatar
Jessica Olson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thing that sucks about that... My job I worked Thursday and I didn't get to do family Thanksgiving for 8 years... And Christmas also landed on one of my normal days about half the time. No one wants to trade those days. I was a nurse, but also it was home health so literally the families I worked for would usually take pity on my and just have me for 4-5 hours to help get the day going. (Thanksgiving family not so much 😮‍💨 that one they even scolded me for stopping to have my lunch break be cause "I don't pay you double to eat", like you don't pay me at all and TG is 1.5, and I still get my mandatory break....)

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mistersid avatar
Mister Sid
Community Member
1 year ago

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I like how all of you think days off are a birthright.

seankendig avatar
Pepe Silvia
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Now she'll cry for loan forgiveness and government assistance while voting for communists and socialists and blaming the system. I suppose everyone's situation is different, but in my experience no matter how bad the job is you never ever quit until you've secured a new gig. I've been in this exact situation before and it paid dividends to gut it out while job searching. This life owes us nothing and the whole notion of living easy is total bull squat. Granted, I do agree the boss is a p.o.s and the job was worth leaving, just not like a tantric millennial.

dakotaball avatar
Fishbear
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes, more of your nonsensical ranting cluttering up the comment section

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rodfergie avatar
Roddfergg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked 10 hours daily, Mon-Thus. That schedule was set in stone when I was hired. There was no problem for about a year, then I got a new supervisor. He didn't like me because I was 20 years older and, I knew more than him, since I used to do his job, and his bosses job. He started saying that I needed to start working Fridays. To he more of a team player. I let him know in no uncertain terms my hiring contract said otherwise. He decided to schedule me on a Friday, right before our financial year end. Told him I wasn't coming in, so he fired me. His boss started calling me Wednesday begging me to come back, since I was rhe only one to know how to get the numbers needed to close out the books. Told them they should have thought of that before they threatened and fired someone that just works, to keep busy. They had a great time with an IRS audit.

mwolcendorf-motog avatar
m.w.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not "my rates are $500 an hour started, minimum 4h a day, and the new supervisor is having a week off while I work there"?

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lanebass1990 avatar
Lane Bass
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's almost like everybody deserves the holiday off. No, that can't be it.

michaellargey avatar
Michael Largey
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could have replied to the higher-ups "I'm gone unless he is. Your choice."

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terrirobinson avatar
Terri Robinson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a full time job and a weekend part time job. The weekend part time job was because I was single and cashiering was easy. So one Thanksgiving they pulled the same thing with me. "You're working Thanksgiving", no I'm not. "yes you are." No I'm not. I don't need this job. "yes you do." no I don't, this just gave me something to do on the weekends + extra cash. I have a full time job. "you're scheduled to work". nope. I quit. good luck with that schedule! Had all the other cashier's clapping and patting me on the back on the way out the door. Went the following weekend to another business and started immediately back to weekend cashiering for something to do and meet people.

rodfergie avatar
Roddfergg
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should have made them fire you. If you are hired just to work those days, it is consideredan employment contract, they can be made to pay a partial unemployment for firing without cause. Usually about $50 a week, but it also helps anyone else they pull this with, since it shows precedence.

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fourthrowe avatar
DJR
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the phone number to your business isn't 911 (999 for my UK friends), there is no reason to be open on Thanksgiving. But, we the consumers are the problem. If we would stop buying stuff at times we all agree would suck to work (weekends, early mornings, holidays) the businesses would stop making people work during those times. Easy to say, harder to do. I bought breakfast at 6am today (Saturday) on my way in to work.

fakeslashdash6 avatar
Jason Melvil
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The whole point of having time off is to enjoy yourself. That doesn't mean shutting yourself at home like a caveman. If you want to go on your holiday to the movies, eat at a restaurant, go to a theme park etc there's nothing wrong with that. But guess what? Someone still has to work to make sure you have your fun. Though other countries recognize this and force employees to pay extra for anyone who has to work those days - so they keep the minimal staff needed and the workers are well compensated for it.

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Ivy la Sangrienta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The US is wild. Firing someone for frivolous reasons like that is super illegal in my country.

kw_5 avatar
K W
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did it say what kind of business it is? I really love the trend of closing for Thansgiving and I don't understand non essential businesses that don't at this point.

kathrynbaylis avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Greed. Pure, unadulterated greed. And being an a*****e, especially if they always take weekends and holidays off themselves, but threaten employees who had time off already OK’d—-sometimes in place for months and taken away at the last minute—-with loss of their jobs if they don’t come in and work on that pre-approved time off. F**k that. YOU work it boss.

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lynemma avatar
BravePanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to work for a major high-end retailer that would be closed to customers on Thanksgiving but did 80% of the holiday decorations on Thanksgiving Day. If you volunteered to work that day, you'd receive 2X hourly pay, a restaurant provided Thanksgiving meal, a pie to take home, and a fun, "Santa's elves in the workshop" atmosphere. I was a part time employee and didn't get selected to work. There were far more volunteers than open spots. Then on Friday, the store would have had a major Christmas makeover much to the delight of our frequent shoppers.

oshaunfisher avatar
Jerry Mathers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand what leverage these guys think they have. Especially when people are working a minimum wage (or lower, for restaurants) job. Like do they really think that the threat of not having a low paying job is not replaceable or something of value. Like someone couldn't just get another one. That's the problem with paying people rock bottom salaries. They are easily replaced.

jjmai avatar
JJ Mai
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember at my first real job, I requested off a week of vacation like 3-4 months in advance. It was approved. About a month before my vacation we had a high turnover of people, so a lot of firings and people quitting. We were short staffed. I did pick up extra the month before. Then the new schedule came out and my PTO wasn't on there. I took it to my supervisor. She said we were on a vacation "lock out" due to staffing. I went to HR. They said they had no record of me ever requesting it off. It wasn't until I posted my grievance on Facebook that they suddenly gave me my vacation back. All the "old timers" and my supervisor told me how unprofessional I was, but I was just like "I got my vacation, didn't I?" And that's why I save pictures and copies of my requests and approvals now. For evidence.

curtismulry avatar
C.M.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have just stopped replying when he gave the ultimatum and enjoyed my days off. I would have shown up on my next scheduled shift and if they fired me I'd thank them for the unemployment.

xitlalibeltran-xb-xb avatar
Lena Frost
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My work place put up a paper in our breakroom about how no one can ask for Halloween + day after, Thanksgiving + day after, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, or New Year's off and if anyone fails to show up they'll be suspended for a week without pay. And they still wonder why people keep quitting.

curtismulry avatar
C.M.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, so instead of the day after the holiday off I get the entire week after the holiday off? Where do I sign up?

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lynmoffett avatar
Lyn Moffett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Call me now so you don't have what I'm about to say in writing!!!! Must have been gonna threaten him and didn't want OP to show it to HR

evelyn_haskins_7 avatar
Evelyn Haskins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am constantly amazed as to the USAmerican System. :-( Stop thinking of yourselves as the Land of the Free, and think the Land of the Downtrodden.

ronniecutshall avatar
Ronnie Cutshall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That happened to me and did same thing. They closed store down three weeks later as no one should work 3rd shift but Me.

patrickkyker avatar
PK
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't ever quit let them fire you so you get unemployment.

lolat5082 avatar
Lori T Wisconsin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the US the Fair Labor Standards Act doesn’t support you when it comes to vacation time. The FSLA doesn't require employees to be paid for time not worked, such as vacation, sick time, or holidays. Since employees are never legally entitled to time off in the first place, there is no discourse when it is canceled. We have no decent laws that support workers rights.

kjl01 avatar
Karen Lyon
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was young and working my way through college, I did the fast food thing. I'm the oldest of five, so I always had lots of responsibilities, and often had to step up and cover for one of my other siblings when they'd "forget" to do something. (My brothers and my sister really are the best, but when we were young, they'd blow stuff off, of course. My sister, the baby of the family, often got away with things like not putting the meatloaf in the oven. Me, not so much! LOL.) It was what it was -- but the real effect was that I was trained to be that always reliable person. Managers like the guy in this post love people like me -- mine once told an assistant manager "Oh, Karen will do it", before he even asked me. It took me awhile in to recognize when my manager was taking advantage of me -- hearing what he told the assistant manager was a wake up call! I'm glad for the lesson. I learned to set boundaries and look after myself, instead of letting people think I'd always "be there".

neillpowell avatar
Neill Powell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our bosses wouldn't dare. While we do planned work at night and the occasional "hail-Mary" from colleagues.. being "on leave" is cardinal law. Work phones are turned OFF (personal phone numbers are only accessible by top senior management for true emergencies) and you are considered to have left on a journey to a remote desert

markjanssen avatar
Mark Janssen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have called the CEO and showed the texts. Then tell the CEO it is either the manager is gone or I am gone.

lblsj65 avatar
Liz-ard
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn’t catch what this work was at, BUT I feel there is not such big problem the boss have steamed up it to be. If it is hard to get employees to work at special occasions - like special holidays as in this post - what the heck CLOSE the place! Put up a sign “We have chosen our families this weekend and closed *what-ever-business*. See you again *date*!” !!! Think that would create an enormous WIN for both the workplace AND the boss! There is even a possibility that he would come to have to say “thanks, but I have all employees I need right now” to a row of people wanting to work there! Just a thought …

valica810 avatar
Valerie Mace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless I'm not busy, no real plans & paying time & half, not going in. And want that in a text.

matthewraiche avatar
Matthew Raiche
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Working ourselves to the bone" is not the expression. That doesn't even make sense. The expression is "Working one's fingers to the bone."

lexiburris04 avatar
Xander Kurtz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly next time a supervisor should be asking me for a favor, treating me with respect, and accepting no for an answer (especially regarding coming in on days off that i need for physical recovery), but they decide to try to power trip and try to threaten me instead. I will make their jobs harder. I already left my last job for that same reason pretty much. It wasnt my day off but my ride didn't come. They scheduled me to work weekends after i already requested only to work during public transit hours. So u called in and she started telling me to "just walk" when i already wasn't sure how i could stand that long to begin with without walking 2 miles for about $20 for the day. She said they were just too short staffed to let me not come in etc so if i don't i won't work there anymore. She didn't know the hospital was wanting me to choose between the two, paid more, and let me bend, kneel, and sit as needed/possible for no tasks. So it was not at all hard to decide what to do.

lexiburris04 avatar
Xander Kurtz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am semi disabled but getting approved for the label and thus accomodation requirements is hard, takes a long time, and is expensive with all the doctors visits needed. So i have to try to navigate the working world as an autistic person with PTSD and issues with both my hip and hand/wrist that i can't really afford to diagnose (though blood and electric tests bean when i was on parents healthcare showed it wasn't RA, lupus, or carpal tunnel. Tendonitis seems likely to be now. But i do have reynauds and recently found it too can have similar effects over time.) I just. Physically and psychologically can't handle these kinds of managers or situations. And if everyone stood up for themselves and made reasonable accomodations (like even sticking to agreed and approved time off) it would make it a lot easier for me to function well enough to keep a job for more than a couple months

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bluskyelin4me avatar
bluskyelin4me
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never tell them you quit. Let them fire you...for taking time off that was already approved. You'll be able to collect unemployment while looking for a better job.

kadochi avatar
Kadochi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the third time I've seen this "story" and twice on bp and once elsewhere and all the names are changed in every version lol. How lazy have "journalist" become.

louiseplatiel avatar
Louise Platiel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always ends with "please call me now" HAHA thats the sign you are too late to the table my friend!

ovataacronicta avatar
Ovata Acronicta
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Back the ol retail days... before Thanksgiving, the CEO of the company sent out a newsletter expressing his gratitude for being able to spend Turkeygeddon with his family. Coincidentally, every single person in the store was scheduled for a shortened shift that day (at least the store manager thought to make it equal, as shitty as it was that we had to be there at all). The newsletter did not go over well, and half of us were under the influence of one substance or another to make it palatable. Cue, of course, the shopper asking why we were there that day. You, it's your fault. I can give or take a lot of holidays but Tday... man let me go home and eat.

phillyreo avatar
GD
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are we really having this discussion? Obviously lacking in any meaningful leadership. The company is a disaster—or at the very least is managed by an incompetent shitheel. Why should someone come in to do a job that’s completely useless for someone who’s an obvious tool? I’d fire them all and start over if it was my company. Good grief. What a “manager” 🤣🤣

atribe1973 avatar
Sammie 19
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Sweden we celebrate and open presents on Christmas eve and my local supermarket and other stores in my town close at 1pm on Christmas eve so that the workers can go home and have a good Christmas with their family. The only people who are working are in the healthcare area/emergency services. I remember my middle daughter offering to work Christmas and New year because she got triple pay for working and she works with the elderly. In Sweden over the summer all staff get 4 weeks paid vacation and for those who didn't take those 4 weeks they got triple pay and could take the 4 weeks at other times of the year. She was on maternity leave after having her baby in February but worked the whole summer because of how much she was paid. Helped to buy a house. Her partner's work closed for the summer so no money lost from him.

jimray_1 avatar
Jim Ray
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't owe any employer a damn thing. I don't ask, I am making you aware I won't be there and if you push back, I quit. Don't call me when I'm off or I will quit and don't even get me started on two weeks notice. Hell no, you don't give us 2 weeks notice before you fire us so you can't get that either. I QUIT! IN LMAO

katmin avatar
Kat Min
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I keeep reading these stories on BP. It's 2022 - do some managers lack the ability to adapt and learn? The times of relentless exploitation of qualified staff for low pay are over and done with!

johnhuynh avatar
John
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never force a decision unless you are willing to live with the choice made. Turned out, the boss couldn't live with her choice.

kesti-nielsen avatar
TheElderNom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My work is legally allowed to force people to work, public service and all that. But they're still trying everything to avoid doing that. They're also try to help us if we need to switch days or take a day off. And well, that makes most of us willing to help them in return. Obviously it's not perfect, far from it, but generally speaking things feel fair and we're all willing to help make things work.

jodywhitmarsh avatar
Jody Whitmarsh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did he fire or threaten to fire the person that called off and didn't get their shift covered?

ahmadpujianto avatar
The Cute Cat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sound like my own situation before jumping to other profession. Actually there are tons of candidates but the clinic that I work prefers to over work us because our pay for extend is low. Medic life is so mentally unhealthy

amcgregor7419 avatar
Tams21
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you give an ultimatum to anyone, you have to be prepared for the consequences. It said further down that it sounded like the manager was crying... Hopefully it will be a lesson.

shawnlaframboise avatar
Shawn Laframboise
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All new & employees are told that if they normally work on a Thursday (Thanksgiving) then they have to work or make arrangements with a coworker. Everyone works either Christmas Eve or Christmas day. No one, including me the manager, can not request off big holidays. We all have families & want to be with them. I've done this for 10 yrs now & haven't had a problem.

jessicaolson avatar
Jessica Olson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thing that sucks about that... My job I worked Thursday and I didn't get to do family Thanksgiving for 8 years... And Christmas also landed on one of my normal days about half the time. No one wants to trade those days. I was a nurse, but also it was home health so literally the families I worked for would usually take pity on my and just have me for 4-5 hours to help get the day going. (Thanksgiving family not so much 😮‍💨 that one they even scolded me for stopping to have my lunch break be cause "I don't pay you double to eat", like you don't pay me at all and TG is 1.5, and I still get my mandatory break....)

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Mister Sid
Community Member
1 year ago

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I like how all of you think days off are a birthright.

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Pepe Silvia
Community Member
1 year ago

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Now she'll cry for loan forgiveness and government assistance while voting for communists and socialists and blaming the system. I suppose everyone's situation is different, but in my experience no matter how bad the job is you never ever quit until you've secured a new gig. I've been in this exact situation before and it paid dividends to gut it out while job searching. This life owes us nothing and the whole notion of living easy is total bull squat. Granted, I do agree the boss is a p.o.s and the job was worth leaving, just not like a tantric millennial.

dakotaball avatar
Fishbear
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes, more of your nonsensical ranting cluttering up the comment section

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