Job hours...

[Thunderstorm]

So, I just got hired for a part-time job for after school and weekends and such. Today I filled out the final forms and got my hours...and that's the problem. The guy I met with today was the actual manager...previously I had only met with the assistant manager. However, the manager was not understanding of my problem (he had a foreign accent). He told me that since I'm only 16, I can only work certain hours (yeah I know). However, he is giving me only two weekdays from 4-8 and BOTH weekend days, 8 hours each. Quite honestly, I don't think that's legal or morally right. He's making me give up my weekend. I understand he wants to give me as much wage time as possible but he wasn't understanding. Should I talk to the assistant manager and ask for better hours? I'd really prefer only two weekdays, maybe three and one weekend.

[Stronk Serb]

Be happy. During the summer break I had to work ten hours a day for 5 days to earn my keep, it was in the countryside and ut involved digging stuff and chopping wood. 8 hours of work, 8 hours of rest, 8 hours of sleep is the stuff the workers fought for a long time. Maybe you can ask to just work early hours or late hours during the weekend. I looked for night shifts as a bartender in Belgrade but everybody was like we no want 16 yr old noob. I can handle a bar brawl and can mix drinks. Besides I'm not an alcoholic and there is a supervisor to kick my ass if I drink on the job.

[phuckphace]

Quite honestly, I don't think that's legal[1] or morally right.[2]

[1] it is legal
[2] u wot m8?

He's making me give up my weekend.

every business that hires minors will do this. they can only give you a certain number of hours during the school week by law, and weekends are usually when business is heaviest. they need all hands on deck for weekend business, and they're allowed to schedule you for 8-hour shifts on non-school days, so that's what they did.

I would recommend against asking your boss to change it - there's no point because he appears to have already given you the shifts he is allowed to give you. the answer, if you do ask him, is going to be something along the lines of "work this schedule or get bent."

______________

P.S. the minors at my job are notoriously lazy and flip the fuck out if they are made to stay 0.01ms longer than they planned. "muh weekend" is non-existent in retail jobs, even adults. the classic 9 - 5, Monday through Friday isn't as common as it used to be.

[ImCoolBeans]

Sorry to say, but that's work. Having a job means having to do things like that. I usually work every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and have for quite a while. I'll randomly have one or two days off throughout the week, but if that's the way the schedule works, then that's the way it works.

Like phuckphace said, I recommend against asking your boss to change it. You're a brand new employee, and that won't reflect back on you very well. You should roll with the punches and show him that you're capable and can follow/stick with the schedule. Over time you'll start getting better hours and when you turn 17, depending on the state, the laws should be more lax.

[phuckphace]

honestly, in my experience, just sticking to your schedule (you know, like you're supposed to) as a minor is a huge accomplishment that the boss will take notice of. :lol3: most of the kiddos I work with are very fond of calling in "sick" every weekend, even though they're scheduled for as little as 8 - 16 hours per week. I figured out pretty quick not to ask any of them for help because they would rather stand in a circle and chit-chat instead of work. sometimes they'll even disappear for an hour or so and claim they were "helping a customer" (i.e. making out in the parking lot and/or updating Facebook and Twitter)

so yeah, at your age the boss pretty much expects that you'll screw around and waste his time and the company's, so that should be an incentive for you to prove him wrong.

[Thunderstorm]

Sorry to say, but that's work. Having a job means having to do things like that. I usually work every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and have for quite a while. I'll randomly have one or two days off throughout the week, but if that's the way the schedule works, then that's the way it works.

Like phuckphace said, I recommend against asking your boss to change it. You're a brand new employee, and that won't reflect back on you very well. You should roll with the punches and show him that you're capable and can follow/stick with the schedule. Over time you'll start getting better hours and when you turn 17, depending on the state, the laws should be more lax.

honestly, in my experience, just sticking to your schedule (you know, like you're supposed to) as a minor is a huge accomplishment that the boss will take notice of. :lol3: most of the kiddos I work with are very fond of calling in "sick" every weekend, even though they're scheduled for as little as 8 - 16 hours per week. I figured out pretty quick not to ask any of them for help because they would rather stand in a circle and chit-chat instead of work. sometimes they'll even disappear for an hour or so and claim they were "helping a customer" (i.e. making out in the parking lot and/or updating Facebook and Twitter)

so yeah, at your age the boss pretty much expects that you'll screw around and waste his time and the company's, so that should be an incentive for you to prove him wrong.

Thank you but I am thinking about it the other way around. I was thinking as a new employee I shouldn't be working this much or taking other employees spots. I'm also still a student and need to focus on my grades.

One of the current employees (who is a senior at my school, I'm a junior) told me that she didn't even work 8 hour shifts until her second month there... I think it's just a bit excessive starting out. I would much rather work 4-8, three or two days a week and then one 8 hour shift.

[ImCoolBeans]

Thank you but I am thinking about it the other way around. I was thinking as a new employee I shouldn't be working this much or taking other employees spots. I'm also still a student and need to focus on my grades.

One of the current employees (who is a senior at my school, I'm a junior) told me that she didn't even work 8 hour shifts until her second month there... I think it's just a bit excessive starting out. I would much rather work 4-8, three or two days a week and then one 8 hour shift.

We hired a new kid who is your age this week at work, and he got 3 shifts, and had a 3 hour orientation this week. It's really not unreasonable. What kind of job is it, if you don't mind me asking? That's also a part of working, shifts need to be covered if somebody can't work it, I understand it's your first week, but if that's the way it works. Little things like that can honestly affect opinions of managers a lot, especially with new employees.

Keeping up with your grades is important, but that's the challenge of having a job as a student. I have had a job as a student for the last 5 years, and can tell you that it is not easy, but you will figure it out in time and find your own groove, and figure out a good schedule for yourself.

[Danny Phantom]

My job doesn't even hire under-18s (I'm the youngest worker actually). But I think 24 hours a week when you're under 18 is actually plenty hours. Many people at my job don't even get that much hours. You most certainly shouldn't change your hours because you just started and because you don't know if it will be too much. I will tell you this, having a job and going to school isn't easy. I've only been working since October (at least 32 hours a week, ~4-5 days of work) and I go to school 5 days a week and have a buzzing social life, but this comes at a cost. I have a good college GPA right now, but I'm always tired, since some days I'll work 4pm-midnight with 8am classes the next day. Since you'll be working 4-8 on two weekdays, the other three weekdays should be for homework and studying. The two weekdays that you work will be relaxation days. You can watch TV, go on computer, work out, whatever, as long as you go to sleep early. I think you'll be able to handle it as long as you follow something similar to this.

[Thunderstorm]

We hired a new kid who is your age this week at work, and he got 3 shifts, and had a 3 hour orientation this week. It's really not unreasonable. What kind of job is it, if you don't mind me asking? That's also a part of working, shifts need to be covered if somebody can't work it, I understand it's your first week, but if that's the way it works. Little things like that can honestly affect opinions of managers a lot, especially with new employees.

Keeping up with your grades is important, but that's the challenge of having a job as a student. I have had a job as a student for the last 5 years, and can tell you that it is not easy, but you will figure it out in time and find your own groove, and figure out a good schedule for yourself.

It's in retail. I'm going to work the 8 hour shifts next weekend but I'm going to try and not work that every weekend. The hours are flexible.

[Cognizant]

Do you work for a chain store or is it one of those smaller businesses?

I know at the company I work for, you can change your availability for each individual day. For example, on Tuesday's I said I'm available from 4PM until closing, whereas I've requested Saturdays off. They respect that, too. I will never be asked to come in at 3:30 unless we're getting ripped to shreds by customers, and I've never worked a Saturday shift before in my 5 months of being with them. They should only schedule you when you're available - if they're not, that's something I would call corporate about. But if someone calls off or is sick and they need their shift covered, it'll win you cool points with your team members if you cover it for them. Also keep in mind that depending on the store or company, changing your availability is pretty flexible. I just recently asked my General Manager if I could start having weekends off so I could focus on schoolwork and such (despite 2 people quitting and one getting fired), and she said no problem.
But honestly bud, you're brand new and in high school. When I first started, I would only get two shifts in a week and I would be lucky if I got in 8 hours that week. Almost 5 months later, I'm looking at my schedule and I'm closing the store almost every day this week. And trust me, I know it isn't easy. I've been written up for scheduling issues in the past, but you can't always have it go your way.

The job I currently have is my first one and it's a medium-sized chain so I honestly don't know if we're radically different, but your manager and company should be pretty flexible with your needs - especially if you're on your GM's good side and you can show some compromise for your team.

[Thunderstorm]

Do you work for a chain store or is it one of those smaller businesses?

I know at the company I work for, you can change your availability for each individual day. For example, on Tuesday's I said I'm available from 4PM until closing, whereas I've requested Saturdays off. They respect that, too. I will never be asked to come in at 3:30 unless we're getting ripped to shreds by customers, and I've never worked a Saturday shift before in my 5 months of being with them. They should only schedule you when you're available - if they're not, that's something I would call corporate about. But if someone calls off or is sick and they need their shift covered, it'll win you cool points with your team members if you cover it for them. Also keep in mind that depending on the store or company, changing your availability is pretty flexible. I just recently asked my General Manager if I could start having weekends off so I could focus on schoolwork and such (despite 2 people quitting and one getting fired), and she said no problem.
But honestly bud, you're brand new and in high school. When I first started, I would only get two shifts in a week and I would be lucky if I got in 8 hours that week. Almost 5 months later, I'm looking at my schedule and I'm closing the store almost every day this week. And trust me, I know it isn't easy. I've been written up for scheduling issues in the past, but you can't always have it go your way.

The job I currently have is my first one and it's a medium-sized chain so I honestly don't know if we're radically different, but your manager and company should be pretty flexible with your needs - especially if you're on your GM's good side and you can show some compromise for your team.

Thanks. Even the girl who has been working there for a while said that she didn't work two 8 hour shifts till her second month. I don't mind one 8 hour shift each weekend but not taking up my entire weekend. I still have other obligations.
I work at a nationwide chain but under the NY/NJ franchise.

[JacobIN]

1. Its completely legal
2. I work 3 week nights and 6-8 hour shift on both weekends
3. Request to get every other sat/sun off.

not trying to sound like a smart ass or anything, just my 2 cents

[Thunderstorm]

1. Its completely legal
2. I work 3 week nights and 6-8 hour shift on both weekends
3. Request to get every other sat/sun off.

not trying to sound like a smart ass or anything, just my 2 cents

I like that idea. Thanks.

[JacobIN]

I like that idea. Thanks.

Yeah I have been meaning to ask my manager to get every other weekend off :/

Probably wont but we will see

[thatcountrykid]

So, I just got hired for a part-time job for after school and weekends and such. Today I filled out the final forms and got my hours...and that's the problem. The guy I met with today was the actual manager...previously I had only met with the assistant manager. However, the manager was not understanding of my problem (he had a foreign accent). He told me that since I'm only 16, I can only work certain hours (yeah I know). However, he is giving me only two weekdays from 4-8 and BOTH weekend days, 8 hours each. Quite honestly, I don't think that's legal or morally right. He's making me give up my weekend. I understand he wants to give me as much wage time as possible but he wasn't understanding. Should I talk to the assistant manager and ask for better hours? I'd really prefer only two weekdays, maybe three and one weekend.

Well man you kind of signed yourself away when you took it. I'm working 4 days this week. I did Sunday and I have Thursday,Friday, and Saturday and Im not complaining.

It's only illegal if it's over 40 hours a week and more than 8 in a 24 hour period.
And morally, well you didn't have to take it. They have others they can hire and won't complain.

[Abhorrence]

You don't necessarily have to take the job. It's completely your choice.

[JamesSuperBoy]

I hope this works out but good luck with the job. Maybe once you start you can sort out what is best for you and hope the management understand.

[Thunderstorm]

Well man you kind of signed yourself away when you took it. I'm working 4 days this week. I did Sunday and I have Thursday,Friday, and Saturday and Im not complaining.

It's only illegal if it's over 40 hours a week and more than 8 in a 24 hour period.
And morally, well you didn't have to take it. They have others they can hire and won't complain.

You don't necessarily have to take the job. It's completely your choice.

I don't know why people assume I'm complaining. Just wondering if this is normal.

By the way, hours are set by the state so 40 hours may be the limit in your state but it's 25 here for 16 year olds. Also, when I was hired I was under the impression that I was being fit in (since they said they barely needed workers) so I would get to work a limited amount. This is way more than I needed or wanted but I'll deal.

[thatcountrykid]

I don't know why people assume I'm complaining. Just wondering if this is normal.

By the way, hours are set by the state so 40 hours may be the limit in your state but it's 25 here for 16 year olds. Also, when I was hired I was under the impression that I was being fit in (since they said they barely needed workers) so I would get to work a limited amount. This is way more than I needed or wanted but I'll deal.

Well then yeah a 24 hour week is perfectly legal. A lot of the time they'll "fit you in" as a buffer for busy days or when people are gone. I know we need that where I work.

[tret123]

30-35 hours a week at Splashtown for summer job!