r/AmIOverreacting • u/DogOne2936 • 18d ago
đŒwork/career AIO - boss texted expecting me at work
I'm not sure how to start this. At my job, Saturdays are optional. Recently, we've had a bit of a workload, so i've worked plenty of saturdays in a row to help my team catch up and get a good foot in. The rule of thumb for me is that if my team has too much work, I'll step in and work Saturdays. Well, my boss likes treating it like a mandatory day, getting very upset if any of us is busy. (YES, she WILL talk bad about you to someone else.) She likes to make adjustments so that we have no choice but to work and make it feel like we can't say no. For example, work hours are 10-3, and I have an event at 2 she will tell me to come in 9-1 JUST so she can make me work. Or guess what, if you didn't work this saturday, you have to work NEXT saturday! Anyway, Friday's shift ended swiftly, and I went home with no one asking if i could work Saturday. I got no verbal questioning or even a text message (my boss loves to message my coworkers Friday night asking if they can work Saturday). This worked out perfectly for me because I had plans for a graduation, and I was not going to maneuver around working. Anyway, i checked my phone today to see this message from my boss... Is this not crazy??? She's claiming that I never cleared my plans with her. On a Saturday? An optional day? It feels like she really thinks I don't have a life outside of work and that I owe every hour of my life to her. Am i overreacting with thinking this is a really crazy thing to do and say? Should I have worked ?
TLDR: My boss messaged me the same day expecting me to work (on a Saturday) after no prior agreement
EDIT: Just to clarify because some of the responses are confusing me! I work for a small family owned business in the garment decoration business! If i were to work on a saturday, i would get paid like i would for any day of the week:) - I am asking if i am overreacting to being upset about the situation!
Extra Edit: Thank you so much, everyone, for your input! I've gotten an overwhelming amount of helpful insight! I will be stepping away from this thread now as the amount of comments is overwhelming:) Have an amazing day!!
565
u/Biolobri14 18d ago
Hard to honestly know without knowing more about your work or the actual policies in placeâŠ
But based on what youâre saying I would just respond calmly to say your understanding was Saturdays are optional and without any input the day before, you didnât realize you would be needed and you would appreciate clarification on the expectation in the future.
Good luck.
→ More replies (1)92
u/Ok-Knowledge0914 18d ago
This is the best response.
Iâm a manager and donât think Iâd end up in this situation because I know who my OT weekend workers are and who doesnât want it. Also I talk to my people beforehand? Like I discuss what the weekend workload will be and double check that everyone is available or work something out if I have to ask someone to come in.
Iâd be curious as well to know what work they do and why or how Saturday work is optional without any kind of confirmation between team members and the managers.
It would be a nightmare if I didnât tell people what the weekend workload plan was and just assumed the right people would show up. Not sure if an unreliable narrator or just a shit boss.
35
u/DogOne2936 18d ago edited 18d ago
Thank you so much for your response! I work for a small family owned business that operates Mon-Sat. However, when I first got hired I was told that Saturdays are optional UNLESS there was a large workload. It has never been "expected" as it is optional to work that day. At least, it doean't feel so optional anymore as I was never asked if i could come in. - I do get paid the same as any work day!
34
u/Natural_Peace_7453 18d ago
When you say " no extra pay for working Saturdays" do you mean there is no additional financial incentive? Or as in strictly voluntary with NO Pay for day?! I wouldn't expect to get pay EXTRA but I would expect to get paid my standard wage.
26
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
I do get paid the same as i would any weekday! Nothing extra! So my usual 10 an hour!
59
u/caffeinated_gamer 18d ago
Hold up, $10/hr for what sounds like a skilled job?? I made more as a Starbucks barista 10 years ago. Homie you might want to look for a new job, the bad management does NOT seem worth putting up with for that pay omg
26
u/DogOne2936 17d ago
:") i knowwww i know.. unfortunately its very hard to get a job where i live. considering its just 4 of us. we do more than what we are paid for.
18
u/nabiku 17d ago
its very hard to get a job where i live.
How many jobs do you apply for per week?
Always be applying for jobs. Always try to get something better. Every week.
11
u/DogOne2936 17d ago
I'm referring to when i initially started applying a few years ago. But you may be right, thank you!
6
u/IHaveBoxerDogs 17d ago
I think people are so happy to get a job they just stay there, instead of looking for something better. You can now show future employers you are responsible and can hold a job. You need to move on now. This job is never going to pay you a reasonable wage.
7
13
u/2pinkthehouse 17d ago
Damn. I have never made $10/hr and I'm 47. I make $50-$80/hr as a server at fine dining restaurant. Much more on private events. There's got to be something else out there that pays more and it's clear when you are and aren't expected to be at work.
You aren't overreacting. Rather, your boss is overreaching into your personal life and free time. I think you have shown great restraint in not blowing a gasket about this.
That said, I world walk into work on Monday and go directly to your manager and establish some boundaries or ground rules for your role at the place. Stand up for yourself (I know it's easier said than done) and know your worth. And while I don't know you, I'm sure it's much more than an unappreciated $10/hr.
6
u/DogOne2936 17d ago
Genuinely i wish i could be paid that much!! It isn't easy also having a penny pincher of a boss.. i truly appreciate your input and If I've learned anything from this thread its that i have to be more assertive and put my foot down. :)
10
u/Fukyourchickenstrip 18d ago
But you do get paid for OT right? If not thatâs not legal. I guess you donât have a work contract. So I would just reply that when you started working, Saturday was optional. It has become every Saturday which youâre not willing to maintain because you need the recuperation time like everyone else has. If very specific circumstances require you to work a Saturday, on special occasions youâre willing to help as long as thatâs communicated well in advance.
10
u/DogOne2936 17d ago
Thank you for the response! I totally agree with what youre saying. The only annoying thing is that my boss has a very big mouth and has never once held back from ever making anyone feel bad. At one point my coworker made everyone aware they would be busy Saturday with family. my boss proceeded to tell another coworker "if i can't have Saturday off, no one can". They will even go "I wish i could have Saturdays off". Like youre the boss... you literally can.
5
u/therealfurryfeline 17d ago
Start practicing greyrocking. I have a colleague with a bit more responsibility than me (NOT higher on the totempole) who likes to carry a lot of resentment if they feel ever so slighted. I had to start only responding to stuff that was actually adressed to me or fell into my responsibility. I still hear about them gossiping to others about me, but since i openly choose to ignore it, they don't have a lot of ammunition and it shows - and it shows to others in particular.
As long as the boss doesn't adress you directly, don't engage in those passiveaggressiveness. Hmm and soso, if you feel inclined, but try to spend as little energy as possible. If you can fein ignorance of those statements, do so. Boss said something? You haven't heard nuffing!
If you are adressed directly engage only in regards of actual content and stay in factual statements. Don't assume, don't interprete, don't engage. If you need to assume, ask to clarify and force them to be factual. Don't engage with "Do you really don't understand?" or similar direct or indirect accusations. Deflect or say "I wan't to avoid misunderstanding" and then move on.
It's not easy, but practice makes perfect.
2
11
u/acnerd5 17d ago
My husband is in garment creation and to be fair, he has worked larger positions at both companies hes worked for, and both are family owned.
10 an hour, they should be ashamed. Even before hitting management a skilled job like that was not worth it for 10 an hour. He was paid more than that a decade ago. I got that being a cashier at a pet store.
From trimming strings to an assistant to a manager, to a new company managing then moving into a more "niche" position... yeah you may want to look into other places that do similar work and just ask for higher. You should get it with work experience.
7
u/DogOne2936 17d ago
Thank you so much for your input! Trust me, i know for sure that me and my coworkers do more than what we are paid for.
14
u/HalfaEnchilada 18d ago
Are you trolling us, OP? Are you really allowing these people to use you for slave labor? Working without pay is illegal. And this expectation has become the rule because you have shown them that you are willing to be taken advantage of, and they have been. I suspect they use the "your part of the family, and family pitches in for each other" manipulation tactic, too.Â
OP, you are not reacting enough. Stop letting them take advantage of you.Â
→ More replies (22)
125
18d ago
[deleted]
22
u/Tavsiyedegildir 17d ago
Just be glad you didn't have the audacity to be born near black Friday and not like working on your birthday.Â
But we have a sale!Â
201
u/Mattymc075 18d ago
Don't ever respond to a text when off the clock
108
u/pizzaduh 18d ago
This. I got my old manager in deep shit because of her constant text messages in days I wasn't scheduled. Even after I told her to stop, she kept doing so. I texted a bunch of my coworkers and they all said the same thing that she would text about work on their days off or before/after a shift. Company ended up having to pay us out multiple hours for the text messages and she was demoted.
32
u/Mattymc075 18d ago
It's crazy man, once I leave that building, I don't want to hear anything about the place
7
u/Starlightsensations 17d ago
What do you mean you were paid out for the text time? Did someone sue it how did that happen?
16
u/pizzaduh 17d ago
California labor laws. You can ask questions like, "Can you work tomorrow? Or "Would you like extra shifts?" But when she started wanting complete rundowns or talk about other employees etc it's considered work related. If we didn't answer she'd keep texting or calling us which you can't do. She called me once at 1 am to discuss an employees performance and wanted a rundown of everything they did that shift. I told her to stop calling and texting me when I'm not getting paid to discuss work and she didn't. Or asking me to login to an app to fill out hour sheets that could wait til I was clocked in.
8
u/Psychological_Pie194 17d ago
Sounds like I need to move to CaliforniaâŠ
8
u/pizzaduh 17d ago
If you like paying $3,000 for a two bedroom apartment and $7 for gas. We have plenty of room.
8
u/NevaLumina 17d ago
I'm in CA. The law says if you work any small amt of time (even if its a 15min meeting or, in this case, text) you must be paid minimum of 2 hours. My guess is it only took a threat to sue to have the company cough up pay for each individual instance of text the Mgr sent outside scheduled hours.
8
7
u/rockmediabeeetus 18d ago
NOR This is the answer. And respond verbally if you canâthey can incriminate themselves all they want in writing. Document document document.Â
→ More replies (4)3
u/PocketButterBandit 17d ago
This right here.
My work phone is set to go to do not disturb exactly at 5. The minute work is done I lock my computer and I'm out.
When I go on vacation I tell the office that if they need me, figure it out bc Im on vacation.
22
u/ComplexPatient4872 18d ago
I worked for Disney at their reservation call center and it was a living hell. During peak times we were required to work 10 hour days with âoptionalâ 10 hour Saturdays. After people kicked back at the schedule, 10 hour Saturdays became mandatory for 60 hour work weeks.
I literally had a nervous break down from not sleeping (6am to 5pm shifts) and call after call with monitored bathroom breaks. Donât let this be you because I would bet that those Saturdays will become mandatory real fast. Start looking for a new job ASAP
6
u/jameyiguess 17d ago
What is a monitored bathroom break
6
u/ComplexPatient4872 17d ago
You have to put your phone on a specific setting and if you are gone for more than two 5 minute bathroom breaks in a shift, you get written up if you donât have a doctors note.
My husband worked there a few years after me because he was desperate for a job so he wouldnât have to move out of state (long story).
He was fired because he would put his phone on pause after a call so he could collect his thoughts for like 10 seconds before the next one came through. They fired him after a month of doing this because they accused him of âresource fraud.â This was 15 years ago and we still donât know what that means.
I was in the psychiatric hospital from aforementioned mental breakdown and out on FMLA. I emailed to say that I couldnât come back from leave and would be resigning. When I went to apply for a job at the parks 5 years later, they called me in for what I thought was an interview, only for someone in HR to berate me and tell me that since I had been fired, I am banned from working for Disney for the rest of my life.
7
u/Substantial_Bar8999 17d ago
Mother of dystopian lifestyles. TWO bathroom breaks in an ELEVEN HOUR SHIFT!? Huh!? That's downright hazardous to health for a lot of people. Some days I'd need to go five times in that time. Also what if you need to shit? Unless management wants me to go around smelling like poopoo then 5 mins ain't cutting it even if I stress.
Holy hellscapes I'm glad you got out of that and sorry you had to deal with that.
7
u/ComplexPatient4872 17d ago
Their excuse was that you need to go on your assigned 15 minute breaks or lunch. Because bodies work like that. My husband had pay a $50 copay to get a doctorâs note to say that he canât magically tell his body when to poop.
I live in Orlando and would NEVER recommend that anyone works for Disney. My brother was fired for using too much sick time in a short period of time, my step dad has been laid off once during Covid and then quit due to an abusive supervisor in a suspected ageism case. Him and my mom live in Celebration (the town Disney started then sold off to a sketchy property management firm) and still eat breathe and sleep Disney. I just donât get it.
91
u/NewYorker1283 18d ago
What kind of job is this? I've never heard of it being "optional" to show up, unless it's an extra shift you voluntarily agreed to.
49
u/Sleepy-Blonde 18d ago
Iâve worked manufacturing jobs where it was Monday-Friday and optional OT Saturdays. Youâd just show up and get to work if you wanted to.
7
u/SophisticatedScreams 18d ago
OP says there's no pay for "optional" saturdays-- I'm so confused by that.
11
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
I'm getting so confused by "extra"! i get paid the same as i would any week day.. so sorry for the confusion đ
3
18d ago
[deleted]
4
u/SophisticatedScreams 18d ago
That's bananas to me. Family businesses are great for not following the rules and exploiting people. OP should stand up for themself. This is underreacting imo.
16
u/smundrugler 18d ago
That happens at plenty of white collar jobs. They give you more of a workload than an actual schedule, and you work enough hours to get it done. But it sounds like opps boss is taking advantage, because that's what businesses do in capitalism. Exploit labor for profit.
4
u/HistoryDisastrous493 18d ago
That's messed up. I work 36 hours a week, get 37 days holiday a year, and a great pension. Pretty normal where I live. What you're saying sounds crazy
→ More replies (2)5
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
I work for a small family owned business! Monday through friday is mandatory and Saturdays are optional but HIGHLY encouraged if theres a huge workload. I always speak with my team to know where we are in terms of workload. There is no extra pay for working Saturdays as well!
11
u/Sterling_-_Archer 18d ago
Weâre not going to somehow get you fired by telling us WHAT your job is⊠what is it you do???
4
6
7
u/CuriousKatMiny 18d ago
How is that legal? You canât work and not be paid for it. Family owned business or not, this all sounds whack.
3
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
I'm sorry I got confused with people saying "extra". i get paid as i would any week day!
2
u/Starlightsensations 17d ago
You are likely eligible for back pay if they havenât been paying you overtime!
3
u/DogOne2936 17d ago
I don't even know if we get paid overtime... i'm sorry for being so inexperienced! this is only my second job and i'm in my early 20's so i feel very naiveđ
4
u/Altruistic_Yellow387 17d ago
Overtime is if you work over 40 hours a week in the US. It doesn't seem like you do according to what you wrote earlier, so you don't qualify for overtime. If you ever do, you will get extra pay on any hours over 40 in the US
3
u/Altruistic_Yellow387 17d ago
Op only works 5 hours a day so isn't working overtime even with Saturdays
→ More replies (2)3
2
2
u/Mattymc075 18d ago
They might not be able to enforce overtime idk
→ More replies (1)3
u/Patient-Succotash371 17d ago
Itâs not overtime if itâs less than 40 hours a week. Doesnât matter which or how many days you work if the total amount of hours is less than 40
48
u/mandy0456 18d ago
What's the job? What's the terms around it being "optional" ? I.e are you still put on the schedule and expected to show up if you're on the schedule? Do you need to inform someone ahead of time if you're not available that Saturday?
17
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
I work for a small family owned business that operates Mon-Sat. When i was hired i was told that Saturdays were optional unless there was a huge workload that needed to be helped with. Until recently i would only come in on saturdays if there is a lot of work to be done.
13
u/SophisticatedScreams 18d ago
If it works for you, that's great, but this seems like a pretty untenable situation. Why would you come in for free to do extra work? Are you well-compensated otherwise? Do you see a path towards promotion? How does this help your career?
I understand in many ways we're in "any port in a storm" territory job-wise, but this saturday thing seems like a terrible deal.
→ More replies (4)19
u/ilspal 17d ago
Where are any of you reading that OP works for free??
6
u/SophisticatedScreams 17d ago
There was confusion around the term "extra pay" for the saturdays. When I read that, I assumed that meant that OP got no more money for a Mon-Sat week, versus a Mon-Fri week. But OP says they're getting paid the regular hourly wage for Saturday.
I also think there's confusion around Saturdays being "optional," because it sounds like OP def agreed to work on Saturdays when it's busy. I don't think they really are optional.
My new, revised opinion (based on new information lol) is that OP agreed to this, and if OP wants to change it, they need to use their big kid words.
2
u/DisposableSaviour 17d ago
Use their big kid words? Sorry, best OP can do is come to Reddit to complain.
2
u/DogOne2936 17d ago
I came asking if i was overreacting to being upset about the situation. Didn't know asking for insight and getting helpful advice on what to do was complaining but OK !
→ More replies (3)
28
u/LilLatte 18d ago
NOR
"I'm sorry, but I have another commitment today. Since Saturdays are not a part of my regularly scheduled work week, and no one requested me to come in, perhaps on Monday we could take some time to discuss appropriate timelines and communication to make sure that you don't expect me to show up on days where I should normally have off and have made other plans. Thanks!"
24
u/AllTh3Naps 18d ago
NOR
"[Boss name], my understanding is that Saturdays are still considered optional. Has that policy changed?"
→ More replies (2)
18
u/PocketButterBandit 18d ago
Your boss can't "make you" do anything. This isn't a parent and a kid. A job is a contract.
Just say no jfc
→ More replies (2)
27
u/Head-Docta 18d ago
âI am off on weekends, why were you expecting me to be at work? I never volunteered to come in today. Sorry if you were mistaken.â
6
12
u/the_inbetween_me 18d ago
Are you paid extra for these days or are you salary? Not that it actually matters, since they're optional. But if I were salary & they're optional, I'd never go, period. And if something was said to me and I couldn't come to an understanding with my supervisor, I'd take it up with HR.
You're NOR, but it sounds like you're not particularly assertive. You need to clarify expectations with your boss and what you are/are not willing to do. Set boundaries for yourself. Future you will appreciate it.
→ More replies (2)8
u/ChVckT 18d ago
HR seems like the route to take. A boss like this will only try to screw you if you don't bend over backwards for them.
9
u/SophisticatedScreams 18d ago
Small family business-- if there is an "HR," I imagine it's cousin Sally lol
→ More replies (3)3
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
This is hilariousđ!!! Unfortunately i WISH there was a cousin sally. We do not have an HR.
5
u/snooprs 17d ago
NOR - I am still baffled how you Americans are treated at work.
→ More replies (2)
4
u/Ok-Trouble3035 18d ago
Small family owned business meaning what? What is your actual job? I get not wanting to say the name of company you work for, but some more context would help. Is this retail? Do you sell propane and propane accessories? A paper company? Is it a bar, or cafe or restaurant or something? And also what is your specific role/title?
2
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
Yes! I work in the garment decoration business! Shirts, hats, promotional items like banners, trophies, all the things!
7
u/AdAvailable2508 18d ago
People actually work on those optional days? I would literally never show up if I wasnât contracted to
6
3
u/The_Truthboi 18d ago
NOR- kindly let them know you are busy and since Saturdayâs are optional and you werenât asked to work prior you have no obligation to come in
3
u/pizzaduh 18d ago
NOR. Tell him you expected a pay raise for the extra work but you didn't see that this morning either.
3
u/Ok_Permit_3593 18d ago
Unmandatory overtime is unmandatory
I would cut her off from any hour more than my basics hour, and not go overboard with my acutal job.
You gave her the chance to act like it was welcome when YOU take YOUR time to go to work on a day that you could have got free.. NOR i would check elsewhere already to see if i can get some respect from my employer
3
u/SavageSvage 17d ago
In texas, the rule is if you work more than 40 hours in a 7 day period every hour worked over the 40 you're owed 1.5x times your pay in overtime. They can require you to work it but if they're requiring you to work it they have to pay you 1.5x your wage. You said in another post you're making 10/hr. You should be making 15/hr. Look at your paystubs. Just cause you're young doesn't excuse you from knowing when you're being taken advantage of.
Google says:
If an employer fails to pay earned overtime, employees can file a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division.
Get your money. Don't let them get away with it
→ More replies (4)
3
u/Patient-Succotash371 17d ago
Have you confirmed with your boss that it is their expectation that you only work Saturdays? I understand thatâs what someone told you when you were hired. I suggest confirming your current boss understands thatâs your expectation as well
→ More replies (1)
3
u/SharkeyGeorge 17d ago
How are Saturdays âoptionalâ? Either youâre paid to work Saturdays or youâre not, itâs as simple as that. Employment is a contractual relationship, you work the days you are paid to work.
→ More replies (2)
3
6
u/nessa0227 18d ago
NOR. If itâs optional Iâd never be in on a Saturday. You need your weekends too. Lots of things are done on the weekends to help reset for the next week, so your boss is using you and your time.
→ More replies (1)
6
u/bwright07 18d ago
Can't stand people like that letting that job her life and it's optional definitely won't see me idc how behind we are
2
u/jellybuttrpnut 18d ago
Don't respond.
Show up for your next scheduled shift. Unless she threatens to fire you, in which case you can calmly remind her of the working agreement, just hit her with the silent blank stare and head nod.
2
u/9ScoreAnd10Panties 18d ago
NOR. I would be requesting more clarity about the schedule going forward. Like, consenting to the shift at the very least lol.
2
u/fabthefrog33 18d ago
Expecting you to work on a day that's not part of your contracted hours when you weren't even asked the day before if you could, and then texting you in the rudest possible way about it....I would go straight to HR and put a grievance against her.
2
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
Unfortunately, because this is a small family owned business, there is no HR... but i agree with you 100%. my boss is quite literally THE boss as they own the business. If it was your average corporate business they would be in an infinite amount of trouble for things they do besides this!
2
2
2
u/DeepBig7633 18d ago
NOR, but Iâm gonna assume your boss just placed you in the âIâm free every Saturdayâ box since you were coming in consistently on every Saturday. Sometimes it doesnât pay to be too good of an employee.
2
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
THIS !!!!! this is exactly what i DIDNT want happening but they expect it from EVERYONE there !!
2
u/ORANGENBLACK101214 18d ago
Oh oh and I almost forgot, ummm I'm also gonna need you to go ahead and come in on Sunday too, k?
2
u/rob_inn_hood 18d ago
There shouldnât be any such thing as optional days. You are leaving yourself vulnerable to this very situation. When it comes to work, bosses donât want optional, they want assurance.
Right now, you are getting shafted and so is your boss. This is not working out for anyone, and you need to work the schedule and just be on every other Saturday. Other Saturdays they can call you, but without this whole optional thing, they will just have to move someone up to assist in that position on your off days.
As a past shift manager, what you are laying out sounds like a nightmare.
NOR, but you definitely need to rework your schedule so they can plan better than rolling the dice every Saturday on whether itâs busy and whether you decided to come to work.
2
2
u/Vault_CXV 17d ago
I used to work one additional day too, had to stop to focus on my family as my grandfather's health is rapidly declining, since then he's made several comments on it, ranging from telling me I've become lazy since my grandfather got ill, to asking if I'll be coming back to the extra shift when he finally passes. Unless you absolutely need the money, I'd say fuck em, they're not worth it at all in the long run.
→ More replies (3)
2
2
2
u/EvolvingEachDay 17d ago
âSaturday work is optional, so I donât understand why you would expect it?â
2
2
u/HeartProfessional543 17d ago
Just tell her that she might have forgotten to tell you and you are not available unfortunately. But you are happy to talk to her on monday to evaluate the process to make it more reliable for both sides.
2
u/Standard_Fly_2456 17d ago
NOR Youâre not overreacting at all. Truly take a step back right now and consider if you want to continue with this job. Chances are it will always feel like you have to fight for your Saturday.
Is it worth it to you to have to do this song and dance every weekend?
TMI but I want to share, I worked a job very similar to this. There was an expectation to show up on your day off, despite it often not being communicated (or being communicated at the end of the final day of the week) AND it was also never documented or paid for. You got free lunch and did whatever boss man felt like for the day.
It would be a full work day too. Not a 1-2 hour stint, like 5-7 hours of doing unpaid work for 1 of my 2 weekend days.
I was getting so tired of it, I started to do things intentionally to ensure I couldnât be expected to show up on my day off, unpaid. Make myself busy for the weekend so I had a clear excuse as to why I needed my free time.
This was met with harsh feedback.
Ended up leaving the job and Iâm so happy I did. It was an incredibly hard decision - this was my dream job!! But in reality, it was smoke in mirrors. Tying myself any further to that place was going to continue to strain my finances. Didnât even bring up the pay here, but thatâs the real reason I left.
Sorry, made it about me.
All of this to say, when it comes to issues like this with management, youâll be hard pressed to find them changing. Be honest with yourself now before you get any deeper in this job, are you willing to put up with this type of management? The longer you work here the harder it will be to get away.
2
u/Mazewow1200cr 17d ago
You should not care about what your boss thinks or if they talk behind your back. Even nice bosses do.
Set boundaries and be clear in your messages that they are optional and that you wonât be pressured into working an optional day.
You are not a toddler getting told what to do by their parents. Itâs a job, an exchange of service within a work contract, if they donât respect it, work somewhere else where they do.
2
2
2
u/rickelzy 17d ago
"Hey Boss,
As you're aware, my regular schedule is Monday to Friday. I was not notified of any scheduled mandatory overtime on (date in question). I apologize for any miscommunication."
I'd leave it at that. Don't offer any system to improve her scheduling, that's more work for you and it's for her to figure out how to run a business.
2
u/Overcast451 17d ago
Of all the things that might have me looking for a new job, this would have me looking the most.
NOR in the slightest.
2
2
u/Slylok 17d ago
If they consider it optional and the amount of hours you get through the week do not make it OT then I would make it clear that by end of day Friday ( if it is OT then I think Wednesday ) that all of those needed Saturday should be alerted.Â
If it were me I would not respond at all. Then Monday tell them Saturdays are optional and you had important plans and leave it.
2
2
u/Moist-Forever-4193 17d ago
Op I think youâre looking for the AIUR subreddit, because DAMN
→ More replies (1)
2
u/username617508 17d ago
Personally, id say under reacting because it doesnt look like you responded.
2
u/greenish98 17d ago
this whole situation sounds toxic and disrespectful of your personal life. iâd find a new job (unless you like working on saturdays for a crazy boss)
2
u/Zeenat805 17d ago
NOR
This sounds like my manager. No good morning nothing just "someone is sick and I need to be at work at 9am". Nowadays I don't even respond to her texts on my off days.
2
u/mousedeer_78 18d ago
NOR thatâs crazy work on the bosses behalf. I donât know why you go in so much as it is if itâs optional.
2
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
at my job it is just 3 people working on my unit. I do it for the sake of being on top of things... it sure wasnt worth it
4
u/TopNotchJuice 18d ago
wtf is an optional day? Do you get paid more if you go in?
3
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
I work for a small family owned business that operates Mon-Sat. However, when I got hired I was told that saturdays are optional unless we had a lot of workload. We get paid the same amount if we go in, no extra.
→ More replies (5)2
u/jeffdujour 18d ago
Can I ask about your general area or country? This is illegal where I am unless you have an employment contract with a salary for unspecified hours of work
2
1
u/AutoModerator 18d ago
In order to prevent spam and bot posts, this subreddit temporarily removes some posts until OP proves that they are human. Please reply to this comment and answer the question: if you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
Mods will manually review submissions and approve posts with a correct response. Please be patient, especially during overnight (USA) hours, as our mod team is not online 24/7.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
3
1
u/Most_Squirrel_9926 18d ago
NORâ canât stand bosses that think they can just talk to you however cus they are in a higher power, itâs rude and unfair if you werenât scheduled and itâs not a required shift she canât do anything about it
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Kopesetic 18d ago
NOR. Unless she can see you read it, you never saw it. You werenât on the schedule and no one said anything to you. If itâs that big of a deal, she can kick rocks. Whatâs she gonna do, fire you? They must be short staffed if theyâre getting this bent out of shape over it. Iâd throw this in the fuck it bucket and go about my day.
Also maybe hit up the ole job search and find something with more dependable days off/a cooler boss. Iâve stayed at some really shitty jobs because the boss was cool. Easier said than done I know. Jobs are hard to find, but if you work retail or food youâll always be able to find something. For now at least.
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/jeffdujour 18d ago
Are you required to answer texts on off hours? I can be expected to take a call from the number of the business I work at but not required. Calls from personal phones are a no and texts are a fuck no. Some people will indulge but I donât. I work for a union and I donât have to deal with shit because of that. People will ask me if I got their text and Iâll just say âyeahâ and leave it at that. If youâre salary itâs a different story
NOR but also need info
→ More replies (3)
1
u/rockmediabeeetus 18d ago
NOR. I had a job once roughly 12 years ago. They said they needed me (they didnât). My father was dying of cancer. In the hospice unit, dying, and so forth. My family needed me more. She told me I had two days bereavement leave and I said that doesnât work. I donât expect to be paid for not being there, but family comes first. She had the nerve to argue and I cut her off saying something like Iâll make sure when I see dad to tell him to die quicker for you so I can return. I didnât regret it and I donât.Â
For what itâs worth we both understood it was an awful situation and neither of us were thinking straight for various reasons. We hugged it out and she had a lot going on too. None of that negates my situation at the time clearlyâI want to make sure this narrative is truthful.Â
My point is remain true to yourself and whatever deal you made with your job. This may not be the best place for you and thereâs nothing wrong with that or with you. If you leave, leave gracefully.Â
1
u/Resident-Low-7525 18d ago
NOR.
Keep a record of this, do not delete any correspondence, and contact HR. The only response she needs (when youâre ready) is that you work M-F, and Saturday is optional. Let her dig herself a hole from there.
Seriously, contact HR.
-An upper admin
2
u/DogOne2936 18d ago
Thank you for the response! There is just one issue with this. Because I work for a small family owned business in the garment decoration industry... there is no HR. The only reason my boss gets away with this behavior (and far worse) is because of that.
1
u/Willing-Bad3824 18d ago
NOR
(1) Depending on what state youâre in, working a whole 40 hours and getting no overtime pay for working on Saturday is illegal.
(2) I make it a rule to not answer work calls or texts after hours. I did have a job when I did look at texts after hours, but if itâs not an emergency then Iâm not responding.
(3) Make it clear to your boss that YOU will give a verbal notification if youâre working, NOT the other way around.
1
1
u/antarctica91 18d ago
I just knew this was a small business. I work for my fathers and this is how he expected me to be. Work everyday as if I had nothing else to do ugh
1
u/Ancient-Algae-3905 17d ago
This is not a good policy, expectations should be clear and standard in a workplace especially if they have expectations that arenât standard
I have no advice, I donât think thereâs overreacting
→ More replies (1)
1
u/EquipmentTop3818 17d ago
As a Dutch person (đłđ±, not Germany), I would have never answered it. We have a contract, we work what our boss contracted us and more if there is sickness because a colleague is sick and you agree to take over the job. With sickness and they need us: only during work time theyâre allowed to ask us if we want to hand in our free day to fix the shortness in staff. Free time is free time. We work to live, not to live for work. Helping outside your normal days: okay. Only with your permission. But this message is like âyou need to be here and itâs not in the contract and also without your permissionâ. Stupid. Itâs your private number and you have a life, so your boss is already crossing lines. I donât want you to lose your job, but i would have said: âitâs not my workday, and donât message me on my private number. Weâll see each other at the scheduled and contracted work days, or if I agreed with a day more, at that dayâ. Itâs his business; his problem. You do already enough and too much.
1
u/Slashredd1t 17d ago
From what Iâm reading youâŠ. Couldnât reactâŠ. Less? Idk Iâm lost here
→ More replies (2)
1
u/alglaz 17d ago
NoR. If itâs a small business I suppose there isnât a dedicated HR rep? Where are you located; could you speak with your union rep?
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Comfortable-Regret 17d ago
INFO
What was your response..? We can't tell if you're overreacting if you don't show your reaction.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/spenny039 17d ago
Where are you working that 10:00-3:00 is normal? Genuinely curious.
→ More replies (2)
1
u/Beneficial-Celery964 17d ago
âYour lack of preparation does not constitute an emergency on my part.â Iâve said this to many coworkers, employers.
Aside from that, I get where youâre coming from. You want to help, make yourself helpful and a team player. Thatâs super kind of you and respected.
That said, Iâll tell you what I said to my coworker (also a manager) who offers to assist anytime thereâs issues with staffing at work: âboundaries are your friend. I appreciate you, and your wish to be a team player, but I appreciate you being here and not burned out more.â
Take care of yourself, and I wish you the best (and one day a better job with a boss who actually respects their staff and their time).
3.2k
u/Even_Budget2078 18d ago
NOR
But...are you talking? What is going on here? Why are you not just saying "hello boss, Saturdays are optional. I have been happy to work voluntarily to help out, but work days are Monday-Friday and that needs to be respected." Speak up for yourself.