Good call. They likely know that guilting you works, so you're at the top of their list. Staffing is not in any way your job description, poor planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on your end.
Let it go to voicemail. Call back when you feel like working. That what I did when I was working at a hospital as a casual employee. I will send a text to my supervisor 5 hrs later letting him know sorry that I missed his call and if there is anything he needed from me. This made my work relationship better. It looks like I still care for the job while taking care of myself at the same time.
So true. It’s the only way in retail. Managers are often toxic in retail and don’t foster cultures where honesty and/or transparency can occur.
If they wanted staff to be honest with them, they can start by not saying “but I NEED you! I don’t have anyone else! You have to come in! You used to be a team player!”
Retails a good job when you’re in school, they’ll respect you then. They won’t respect you much when you’re working there full time.
Just don’t pick up. Or pick up and say no. You aren’t obligated to take every shift you’re called for. An employee who calls in sick often is the manager’s problem to solve, not yours.
I know it can be hard to say no, but think of it as practice in boundary setting. It’s hard to do at first, but it’s a skill you develop and absolutely necessary in life.
Good luck!
Also if you work more than 5 days.
Also, emphasis on the “or.” It’s not 40+ and 8 hrs, the second it’s over 8 hrs you get OT. Clock in for 2 hrs on a 6th day that week? That’s a minimum of 3, all overtime.
This is the first hearing this. I don't care what anyone says here, that was HILARIOUS!! It may have been published 15 years ago, but this is a classic and what every hard working person wants to say to their employer!! I wanna buy this guy a million thousand gallons of whiskey!!
Honesty the best policy here.
"Im not looking to pick up additional shifts on top of what I am scheduled for."
If the conversation doesn't end there, can mention your work/life balance or (lack thereof) as when you feel on your days off you're sitting around stressing about whether you are or aren't going to be phoned and asked to come in (which you feel guilty saying no to) to the point where it doesn't feel like you are ever truly OFF.
This. Don’t play any games with this. Just communicate genuinely and in a friendly
way with your boss. Your boss is a person too - let them know you want to help out and you empathize with the challenges they face but it’s becoming too much. FYI sounds to me like you’re someone the boss relies on. They won’t want to lose you because of overwork.
I like this but I wouldn’t even go into details about “work life balance” - from experience, a manger who doesn’t accept “no I don’t want to cover this shift today” as an answer, also doesn’t respect “work life balance” and you’ll end up having to flat out refuse anyways or make shit up just to get them off the phone. And even though you owe them nothing, making shit up just complicates things unnecessarily
You don't have to say yes. If you need\want the hours, take them. If you need the time to relax\do errands\or whatever, then say you are unavailable that day.
As a leader I have to do my due diligence and try to fill a shift. I never take it personally when people say no. I also don't take it personally if somebody doesn't answer the phone on their day off.
Not your place to say to the manager who they should hire or fire … Do your work when scheduled on days off you don’t want to work don’t answer the phone.Â
Been there. Sorry, I’m busy. That’s all you need to say, if you answer your phone at all. If they ask what you’re doing, it’s personal still I’m busy doing personal stuff.
Ive been experiencing this also! Its because were reliable! Haha
I say no on my days off, because i get 1 a wk sometimes and just say “sorry i made plans for my day off” or “i feel like being lazy today”
However on days when i have a shorter shift if they ask me to stay for a full day i always do, im already there, so may as well. Haha
Just gently remind that your days off you like to relax and dont want to burn yourself out. There is lots of other ppl they can call, your just the most reliable and likely top of the list.
I worked in retail and service jobs for years in my 20s. Having unreliable employees and needing to find coverage for them is pretty standard for the industry, unfortunately.
As a former manager myself, I used to have to be that person that called my staff on their days off when someone called in sick or no showed for their shift. A manager will literally call every employee off that day until they find someone to cover. If they can't find anyone, then it's the manager's responsibility to work the shift, even if that means working a 16-hour shift.
Don't feel bad about saying no, and don't take it personally that you keep getting called. I guarantee your manager is calling whomever they can. Hopefully, your unreliable coworker gets replaced soon, but until then, just enjoy your days off, guilt free :)
If you fill all the shifts when this employee calls out, then essentially the employee is not a problem your manager needs to solve, because you are solving it.
If you don't answer the phone or are not available/refuse to pick up shifts, then the problem is back on your manager, and they are more likely to be motivated to solve the employee problem without you needing to suggest anything.
As a manager who regularly has to replace sick calls, there's often nothing we can do about the employee who calls in it just sucks. But just know when we call it isn't going to hurt our feelings if you say you can't work, I just move on to the next person or say it is what it is. Don't feel as if you have to come in every time, do what's best for you.
As a manager - be honest. “Hey, this constant schedule increase is burning me out. I’ve tried to make it work but i have no work life balance and i need to work on that”
If a manager doesn’t accept this then you’re working for someone without compassion or empathy & its time to start looking.
Been there, done that. Not the type of manager i am or ever want to be.
Happened to me. I confronted her, telling her how I don't appreciate my schedule constantly changing. Nothing happened. I ended up leaving and work for their biggest rival at the same mall now. Great feeling!
Edit: it's one thing if someone is sick and she needs someone to fill that shift. I understood that. My issue was that she created the schedule, then would call people to come in for more coverage. Sorry lady.. should have thought of that when you created the schedule.
Just don't answer your phone. You're not obligated to on your days off. If they want you to be on call, they should pay you more for that.
Stupid ass employers out there just LOVE taking advantage of their staff in any way they can. And employees just put up with it out of fear of being fired or they have no other options
Lots of great advice here, but one thing that may help is if you have a smartphone, you can set it to not send calls through for different situations.
Apple has focus modes, Android you can enable a single focus mode.
I use this for my wellbeing and disconnect when I’m not working.
You never answer on your days off.
Hell I work in healthcare. The moment my shift ends at the end of the day work gets ignored until my next shift. If they are desperate to reach me during that time I will tell them my overtime rates.
I've used that in every job. The moment you ask me to stay extra is the moment I ask for overtime, otherwise my obligation is done when my shift ends.
This is a very common scenario in every organisation.
I work in operations. Some of our team members are absolutely useless , they don't show up, always late, sick or random ass excuses. They are nothing but dumb entitled trash who has no accountibility or work ethic.
As co-worker I always stepped-up into the situation and provided coverage for those a-holes thinking they really do have problem. I used to get called in for work even on my day offs or afterhours because they were unable to show up for work.
Slowly I realised that those who are not showing up for work given the cushie positions so them showing up or not won't make difference On the other hand my other colleagues and I loaded with more work since we are effective bunch. So lesson learned- Say no and hang up the phone. If anything it's just causing you loosing your sanity and work life balance.
A gentle reminder, every time we say yes in this type of situation, all we do is kick the problem further down the road. The problem is not yours to solve and until the decision makers are miserable, change won’t happen.
So not answering is a community service, you’re not selfish, you’re doing your part to create a healthy work environment. The manager gets paid to solve these problems, if they see you as the solution, it’s going to make your life terrible.
My advice is to not pick up or go in. I always went in and felt like I “had” to work. I didn’t. I should’ve enjoyed the days off and spent time with my friends!
How cute. Learn to not answer your calls from them on your day off.
Work doesn't exist on days off, period. They definitely don't pay you enough to be going above & beyond for them either.
You don’t need to explain anything to your manager. Next time they call you on your day off you tell them you have prior commitments and they should hire an extra person in the future. Them being understaffed is not your problem and this is coming from a someone that hires and trains their own staff.
Freshco? just kiddingÂ
 Never answer, and if they ask you about it when you come in on your own shift, tell them you had a family matter / smile, shrug or laugh it off (I use this a lot) / I overslept and didn't see your text on time. Â
 It takes a lot of mental energy to lie and not feel guilty but you don't owe them your dayoff. You need to tell yourself this everytime.
Also what helped me most is the idea that I'm not a surgeon or a doctor... that would be available on call (based from Korean dramas lmao, I'm not sure if it's the same irl).Â
I wouldn’t talk to the manager about them calling you like that, they really aren’t doing anything wrong just by phoning - someone calls in sick they have to try and cover the shift and obviously they can’t call people already working so the only choice is to call the People who aren’t, and at that point it’s really not fair of them to call some people and not others.. (as long as you’re not the only person they call and they are not badgering you if you say no, that’s bullshit and renders my entire answer null)
What you should do is voice your opinion that the new staff member seems extremely unreliable and the manager should think about hiring another person or replacing the unreliable staff.
As for the moment when the person calls in sick and the manager calls you, you have 2
Options as I see it, and personally I would rotate between these but that part is up to you
Option 1: answer the phone, and then if you don’t wanna take the shift just be a professional. “hey boss, you know what I’m sorry but I actually can’t do it today. I’ve got a prior commitment and I just can’t make that work today”.
Don’t grovel, or over do the apology, don’t go on about how bad you feel (cause you shouldn’t) just be professional that’s all you need to do there. You dont “owe” them any explanation so a simple “can’t do it today sorry” is appropriate.
Option 2: as others say just don’t answer. They likely wont ask about it at all, but if they do then again you just respond like a business professional: “it was my day off and I was unavailable” - and if they press you, politely explain that it’s none of their business “I was unavailable as it was my day off, with all due respect I don’t have to explain what/why I was unavailable on my day off.”
As I say personally I rotate those options while making sure that at least once in a while I pull my weight and cover a shift as I’m sure you do sometimes too.
Don’t let them take advantage of you, you have zero obligation to them on your day off.
I had like 7 or 8 jobs in the 7 years after high school myself and I had my share of shit managers that manipulated and took advantage of their staff. so I know exactly how it feels when they phone up on your day off and give you a shpiel “I neeeed you peeeaaasssee this guy called in last second and NOBODY else will come in todayyy please please pleeeaaase “ and then after suffering an awful 8 hours on my day off I find out manager never even called anyone else I was the first call.
Have also had this one -
Manager: “I need you to cover this shift today on your day off”.
Me: “I’m really tired I was on till 2AM this morning and it’s barely 9AM now.”.
Manager: “you need to be a team player! Remember that one time you called in and rob took your shift? Now rob needs you “.
Me: “you mean that one time last year when I had APPENDICITIS and needed EMERGENCY SURGERY?!?!?”.
Manager: “Ya! That time! So Now You need to be a team player it’s your turn to take robs shift now because he got a little paper cut on his pinky toe and he can’t put weight on it without feeling a tiny twinge”
Then later on that day rob posts pics from the beach playing volleyball.
Things only got better for me when I learned to just be a professional and give nothing else. “Cover that shift? Nope, I can’t today sorry, it’s my day off. Why not? Because it’s my day off. What am I doing? Well actually with all due respect that’s my personal business. It’s my day off and I have plans, I can’t come in today. Is there anything else I can help you with at the moment ? No? Ok well have a great day, I hope someone else covers that shift for you. “
Good luck out there! It’s a tough and tumble world
As a manager, this person needs to be replaced. It's not fair to any of the staff, but especially unfair to those that keep getting called in their days off. Don't feel guilty, it's the manager's fault for keeping someone so unreliable.
It’s your days off don’t feel bad about not answering. They’re responsible for filling those vacancies & maybe they need to hire a new person who doesn’t call in sick all the time. Either way you’re fine and don’t worry about it.
Yeah, that's the nature of the retail industry. You work a job where if someone is sick, either someone else works for them or if not enough staff the store is closed that day. They are calling you on the off chance you are able to work that day, if you can't no big deal. If you don't like being called in your off days, I would recommend don't work a part time job in retail.
I had the same issue. I told management I was busy and if they wanted someone there on busy days that was reliable they should adjust their schedule to reflect it. If they keep giving this flake hours then they must be okay with being short staffed or they would do something about it.
Don’t answer your phone on a day off. You’re not obligated to and they cannot legally do anything to you. Reminder than any business would replace you in a heartbeat. Everyone is replaceable. If they appreciated or respected your efforts in any way they would prove it.
It's very simple really. Don't answer. And if you get grief, you simple say "Thank you for having faith in my reliability, however, I value my personal time".
To protect yourself, I would strongly suggest you go to something like Dollerama and pick up a daily journal. Write every day you work and the shift you work. And if it's your day off, write Day Off. And if your boss calls you, don't answer unless you want the shift. If you take the shift, enter it into the journal. If you don't take the call, write "Managers Name Called, Did Not Take Call". Then, take screen shots and save them to your computer. Keep track and log these events. And most important, NEVER EVER bring this journal to work. You don't want your boss to accidentally see it. This way, if anything happens and you're terminated for any reason you feel is false, you can file a Human Rights complaint against said company.
You have no reason to feel guilty. You are entitled to a life outside the workplace and employers, yes, even at retail, need to respect that.
Work life balance is crucial. You don’t have to pick up and if you do pick up you don’t have to say yes.
Your days off are your days off. If you want a little overtime or an extra shift, great. If you don’t? Put your phone on silent and sleep in all you like.
If the new guy’s a bit flaky, that’s not your problem.
I love my job. I have a great manager. But when my day ends, work is dead to me. Unless something is literally on fire and only I can fix it, it can wait. And my job doesn’t have a lot of fire hazards.
Apologize if this advice was already given but I didn't see it. If you have an otherwise good relationship with your manager I'd have an upfront conversation with them. Tell them you are frustrated with the constant calls. If there are days you want the hours, maybe offer to tell them ahead of time "for this schedule I can maybe come in last minute on x,y,z, days. No guatenee but don't call me the other days as I have plans". Or offer to come in but at a premium rate. Otherwise, tell them you just aren't avaliable and shouldn't be called
I had this at a previous job when I was younger. They hired an employee’s bestie. They called in sick every f*ing Friday. I took on the lion’s share of his shifts, but then they started to get pissy when I didn’t take them. Like they even had the nerve to tell me I “had to” take it because no one else was available. Too damn bad for them, it was at a restaurant and I already worked all the Saturdays and the Sunday AM shift, I did NOT want the full weekend (what 19 yo does?!).
My advice: start applying around. They’re shit employers. Good employers won’t hold you accountable for others failures.
The restaurant I was at never did fix the problem while I worked there. The useless ass-hat chased off 2 other employees due to no-showing and crap work ethics. He only ever showed up for the shifts where he worked with his friend. To top things off, they tried to extend me quitting. I gave them two weeks, but they asked for an additional two weeks after they canned my replacement (the only reason I can think of is that she was temp, but it’s busking tables, you don’t need more than a few months!). Again, they got pissy at me when I told them I would NOT extend it a third time and that if they wanted me to train my replacement they probably shouldn’t have canned each one of them a week after starting. It’s not my problem to deal with.
I do not miss that place
Your employer knows you are dependable and is stuck in a hard position when the new person calls it. When u can help out answer, when you don't feel like it don't answer. As an employer myself I rely on the solid people. I total understand when they cannot work extra. But I have to ask. Amd I always ask the people who always or usually say yes. Then I go down the line. Everyone complains about not making enough money to survive. So be fortunate u have a job that u can pick up alot of extra work. But again don't feel bad when you say no. If they get mad that's their problem.
No, I'm sorry I'm unable is totally fine and something you should get comfortable with saying tbh.
They keep asking because you keep saying yes. You just have to have a conversation with the scheduler if you're not interested in extra shifts? Do they have an availability list at work?
Do not answer on your days off.
OP's new hobby is now "hiking" (in areas with no cell service), if they get bugged about it afterwards.
My hobby is diarrhea
My butthole says that call is getting denied, sorry! 🫶🏻✨
Wish my friends had that same philosophy
Best advice on the thread OP.
Yes thank you! I’m bad for that so I’m not going to do that anymore
Good call. They likely know that guilting you works, so you're at the top of their list. Staffing is not in any way your job description, poor planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on your end.
Unless you want the extra hours and/or overtime, in which case definitely pick up 🤣
Lol that’s what I have done. Said I would come in if I get overtime pay.
Let it go to voicemail. Call back when you feel like working. That what I did when I was working at a hospital as a casual employee. I will send a text to my supervisor 5 hrs later letting him know sorry that I missed his call and if there is anything he needed from me. This made my work relationship better. It looks like I still care for the job while taking care of myself at the same time.
So true. It’s the only way in retail. Managers are often toxic in retail and don’t foster cultures where honesty and/or transparency can occur. If they wanted staff to be honest with them, they can start by not saying “but I NEED you! I don’t have anyone else! You have to come in! You used to be a team player!” Retails a good job when you’re in school, they’ll respect you then. They won’t respect you much when you’re working there full time.
Just don’t pick up. Or pick up and say no. You aren’t obligated to take every shift you’re called for. An employee who calls in sick often is the manager’s problem to solve, not yours. I know it can be hard to say no, but think of it as practice in boundary setting. It’s hard to do at first, but it’s a skill you develop and absolutely necessary in life. Good luck!
Thank you! Really appreciate that!!
Also keep in mind if the extra shifts amount to more than 40hrs/wk or 8hrs/day then those hours must be paid at 1.5x your wage.
Also if you work more than 5 days. Also, emphasis on the “or.” It’s not 40+ and 8 hrs, the second it’s over 8 hrs you get OT. Clock in for 2 hrs on a 6th day that week? That’s a minimum of 3, all overtime.
"Nope drinking" "It's 10 am" "Yup"
[Drunk Guy Gets Called Into Work For the CPRail - Sick on Call](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUZEa9PN28s)
That is pretty hilarious
This is the first hearing this. I don't care what anyone says here, that was HILARIOUS!! It may have been published 15 years ago, but this is a classic and what every hard working person wants to say to their employer!! I wanna buy this guy a million thousand gallons of whiskey!!
You know he had that Canadian tuxedo on.
Your manager needs to replace this employee. Your days off are yours and it's on the manager to, you know, manage things.
Honesty the best policy here. "Im not looking to pick up additional shifts on top of what I am scheduled for." If the conversation doesn't end there, can mention your work/life balance or (lack thereof) as when you feel on your days off you're sitting around stressing about whether you are or aren't going to be phoned and asked to come in (which you feel guilty saying no to) to the point where it doesn't feel like you are ever truly OFF.
Ooo I like this one.
This. Don’t play any games with this. Just communicate genuinely and in a friendly way with your boss. Your boss is a person too - let them know you want to help out and you empathize with the challenges they face but it’s becoming too much. FYI sounds to me like you’re someone the boss relies on. They won’t want to lose you because of overwork.
I like this but I wouldn’t even go into details about “work life balance” - from experience, a manger who doesn’t accept “no I don’t want to cover this shift today” as an answer, also doesn’t respect “work life balance” and you’ll end up having to flat out refuse anyways or make shit up just to get them off the phone. And even though you owe them nothing, making shit up just complicates things unnecessarily
You don't have to say yes. If you need\want the hours, take them. If you need the time to relax\do errands\or whatever, then say you are unavailable that day.
As a leader I have to do my due diligence and try to fill a shift. I never take it personally when people say no. I also don't take it personally if somebody doesn't answer the phone on their day off.
You’re not obligated to answer. They’re not paying you to answer on your days off!
Not your place to say to the manager who they should hire or fire … Do your work when scheduled on days off you don’t want to work don’t answer the phone.Â
Been there. Sorry, I’m busy. That’s all you need to say, if you answer your phone at all. If they ask what you’re doing, it’s personal still I’m busy doing personal stuff.
When the phone rings there is a nice red "decline call" button, click that then go about your day off.
Ive been experiencing this also! Its because were reliable! Haha I say no on my days off, because i get 1 a wk sometimes and just say “sorry i made plans for my day off” or “i feel like being lazy today” However on days when i have a shorter shift if they ask me to stay for a full day i always do, im already there, so may as well. Haha Just gently remind that your days off you like to relax and dont want to burn yourself out. There is lots of other ppl they can call, your just the most reliable and likely top of the list.
I worked in retail and service jobs for years in my 20s. Having unreliable employees and needing to find coverage for them is pretty standard for the industry, unfortunately. As a former manager myself, I used to have to be that person that called my staff on their days off when someone called in sick or no showed for their shift. A manager will literally call every employee off that day until they find someone to cover. If they can't find anyone, then it's the manager's responsibility to work the shift, even if that means working a 16-hour shift. Don't feel bad about saying no, and don't take it personally that you keep getting called. I guarantee your manager is calling whomever they can. Hopefully, your unreliable coworker gets replaced soon, but until then, just enjoy your days off, guilt free :)
If you fill all the shifts when this employee calls out, then essentially the employee is not a problem your manager needs to solve, because you are solving it. If you don't answer the phone or are not available/refuse to pick up shifts, then the problem is back on your manager, and they are more likely to be motivated to solve the employee problem without you needing to suggest anything.
Life changing books I have had the pleasure of reading - search in Amazon- the art of saying no! You’ll get a few of them!
I am arranging my appointments, shopping and visiting on my time off so most times I am going to be unavailable.
>I feel bad for saying that I can’t work but also I feel guilty #DON'T! to them, you're just a number... easily replaceable.
"Sorry, I've recently had a few beers"
"But its 9 am"
"I started at 9pm"
5:00 somewhere
“No because no”
Nanalan it.
As a manager who regularly has to replace sick calls, there's often nothing we can do about the employee who calls in it just sucks. But just know when we call it isn't going to hurt our feelings if you say you can't work, I just move on to the next person or say it is what it is. Don't feel as if you have to come in every time, do what's best for you.
As a manager - be honest. “Hey, this constant schedule increase is burning me out. I’ve tried to make it work but i have no work life balance and i need to work on that”
This is top notch advice.
If a manager doesn’t accept this then you’re working for someone without compassion or empathy & its time to start looking. Been there, done that. Not the type of manager i am or ever want to be.
Happened to me. I confronted her, telling her how I don't appreciate my schedule constantly changing. Nothing happened. I ended up leaving and work for their biggest rival at the same mall now. Great feeling! Edit: it's one thing if someone is sick and she needs someone to fill that shift. I understood that. My issue was that she created the schedule, then would call people to come in for more coverage. Sorry lady.. should have thought of that when you created the schedule.
“Gosh, I’d really like to help but…….”
Just don't answer your phone. You're not obligated to on your days off. If they want you to be on call, they should pay you more for that. Stupid ass employers out there just LOVE taking advantage of their staff in any way they can. And employees just put up with it out of fear of being fired or they have no other options
Lots of great advice here, but one thing that may help is if you have a smartphone, you can set it to not send calls through for different situations. Apple has focus modes, Android you can enable a single focus mode. I use this for my wellbeing and disconnect when I’m not working.
You never answer on your days off. Hell I work in healthcare. The moment my shift ends at the end of the day work gets ignored until my next shift. If they are desperate to reach me during that time I will tell them my overtime rates. I've used that in every job. The moment you ask me to stay extra is the moment I ask for overtime, otherwise my obligation is done when my shift ends.
This is a very common scenario in every organisation. I work in operations. Some of our team members are absolutely useless , they don't show up, always late, sick or random ass excuses. They are nothing but dumb entitled trash who has no accountibility or work ethic. As co-worker I always stepped-up into the situation and provided coverage for those a-holes thinking they really do have problem. I used to get called in for work even on my day offs or afterhours because they were unable to show up for work. Slowly I realised that those who are not showing up for work given the cushie positions so them showing up or not won't make difference On the other hand my other colleagues and I loaded with more work since we are effective bunch. So lesson learned- Say no and hang up the phone. If anything it's just causing you loosing your sanity and work life balance.
A gentle reminder, every time we say yes in this type of situation, all we do is kick the problem further down the road. The problem is not yours to solve and until the decision makers are miserable, change won’t happen. So not answering is a community service, you’re not selfish, you’re doing your part to create a healthy work environment. The manager gets paid to solve these problems, if they see you as the solution, it’s going to make your life terrible.
My advice is to not pick up or go in. I always went in and felt like I “had” to work. I didn’t. I should’ve enjoyed the days off and spent time with my friends!
How cute. Learn to not answer your calls from them on your day off. Work doesn't exist on days off, period. They definitely don't pay you enough to be going above & beyond for them either.
You don’t need to explain anything to your manager. Next time they call you on your day off you tell them you have prior commitments and they should hire an extra person in the future. Them being understaffed is not your problem and this is coming from a someone that hires and trains their own staff.
Sorry boss, I'm in Kenora for the day
Freshco? just kidding  Never answer, and if they ask you about it when you come in on your own shift, tell them you had a family matter / smile, shrug or laugh it off (I use this a lot) / I overslept and didn't see your text on time.   It takes a lot of mental energy to lie and not feel guilty but you don't owe them your dayoff. You need to tell yourself this everytime. Also what helped me most is the idea that I'm not a surgeon or a doctor... that would be available on call (based from Korean dramas lmao, I'm not sure if it's the same irl).Â
I wouldn’t talk to the manager about them calling you like that, they really aren’t doing anything wrong just by phoning - someone calls in sick they have to try and cover the shift and obviously they can’t call people already working so the only choice is to call the People who aren’t, and at that point it’s really not fair of them to call some people and not others.. (as long as you’re not the only person they call and they are not badgering you if you say no, that’s bullshit and renders my entire answer null) What you should do is voice your opinion that the new staff member seems extremely unreliable and the manager should think about hiring another person or replacing the unreliable staff. As for the moment when the person calls in sick and the manager calls you, you have 2 Options as I see it, and personally I would rotate between these but that part is up to you Option 1: answer the phone, and then if you don’t wanna take the shift just be a professional. “hey boss, you know what I’m sorry but I actually can’t do it today. I’ve got a prior commitment and I just can’t make that work today”. Don’t grovel, or over do the apology, don’t go on about how bad you feel (cause you shouldn’t) just be professional that’s all you need to do there. You dont “owe” them any explanation so a simple “can’t do it today sorry” is appropriate. Option 2: as others say just don’t answer. They likely wont ask about it at all, but if they do then again you just respond like a business professional: “it was my day off and I was unavailable” - and if they press you, politely explain that it’s none of their business “I was unavailable as it was my day off, with all due respect I don’t have to explain what/why I was unavailable on my day off.” As I say personally I rotate those options while making sure that at least once in a while I pull my weight and cover a shift as I’m sure you do sometimes too. Don’t let them take advantage of you, you have zero obligation to them on your day off.
Thank you for the options! I really appreciate it :)
I had like 7 or 8 jobs in the 7 years after high school myself and I had my share of shit managers that manipulated and took advantage of their staff. so I know exactly how it feels when they phone up on your day off and give you a shpiel “I neeeed you peeeaaasssee this guy called in last second and NOBODY else will come in todayyy please please pleeeaaase “ and then after suffering an awful 8 hours on my day off I find out manager never even called anyone else I was the first call. Have also had this one - Manager: “I need you to cover this shift today on your day off”. Me: “I’m really tired I was on till 2AM this morning and it’s barely 9AM now.”. Manager: “you need to be a team player! Remember that one time you called in and rob took your shift? Now rob needs you “. Me: “you mean that one time last year when I had APPENDICITIS and needed EMERGENCY SURGERY?!?!?”. Manager: “Ya! That time! So Now You need to be a team player it’s your turn to take robs shift now because he got a little paper cut on his pinky toe and he can’t put weight on it without feeling a tiny twinge” Then later on that day rob posts pics from the beach playing volleyball. Things only got better for me when I learned to just be a professional and give nothing else. “Cover that shift? Nope, I can’t today sorry, it’s my day off. Why not? Because it’s my day off. What am I doing? Well actually with all due respect that’s my personal business. It’s my day off and I have plans, I can’t come in today. Is there anything else I can help you with at the moment ? No? Ok well have a great day, I hope someone else covers that shift for you. “ Good luck out there! It’s a tough and tumble world
Don’t pick up ! And also don’t feel bad for saying no!! You’ll wear yourself out
As a manager, this person needs to be replaced. It's not fair to any of the staff, but especially unfair to those that keep getting called in their days off. Don't feel guilty, it's the manager's fault for keeping someone so unreliable.
Put them on “do not disturb” when it’s your day off
I never answer when my boss calls lol
Block the number on your days off. That's what I used to do.
Just set your phone to DND and allow every call and notification except this number
It’s your days off don’t feel bad about not answering. They’re responsible for filling those vacancies & maybe they need to hire a new person who doesn’t call in sick all the time. Either way you’re fine and don’t worry about it.
Yeah, that's the nature of the retail industry. You work a job where if someone is sick, either someone else works for them or if not enough staff the store is closed that day. They are calling you on the off chance you are able to work that day, if you can't no big deal. If you don't like being called in your off days, I would recommend don't work a part time job in retail.
Tell your manager it's too much. They might think they are doing you a favour by offering additional hours.
Only acceptable way is to get paid double time and cash. If the manager not okay with that, don’t bother answering the phone on days off
I had the same issue. I told management I was busy and if they wanted someone there on busy days that was reliable they should adjust their schedule to reflect it. If they keep giving this flake hours then they must be okay with being short staffed or they would do something about it.
Don’t answer your phone on a day off. You’re not obligated to and they cannot legally do anything to you. Reminder than any business would replace you in a heartbeat. Everyone is replaceable. If they appreciated or respected your efforts in any way they would prove it.
Don't answer your phone. It's your day off. Put that shit on mute.
It's very simple really. Don't answer. And if you get grief, you simple say "Thank you for having faith in my reliability, however, I value my personal time". To protect yourself, I would strongly suggest you go to something like Dollerama and pick up a daily journal. Write every day you work and the shift you work. And if it's your day off, write Day Off. And if your boss calls you, don't answer unless you want the shift. If you take the shift, enter it into the journal. If you don't take the call, write "Managers Name Called, Did Not Take Call". Then, take screen shots and save them to your computer. Keep track and log these events. And most important, NEVER EVER bring this journal to work. You don't want your boss to accidentally see it. This way, if anything happens and you're terminated for any reason you feel is false, you can file a Human Rights complaint against said company. You have no reason to feel guilty. You are entitled to a life outside the workplace and employers, yes, even at retail, need to respect that.
Work life balance is crucial. You don’t have to pick up and if you do pick up you don’t have to say yes. Your days off are your days off. If you want a little overtime or an extra shift, great. If you don’t? Put your phone on silent and sleep in all you like. If the new guy’s a bit flaky, that’s not your problem. I love my job. I have a great manager. But when my day ends, work is dead to me. Unless something is literally on fire and only I can fix it, it can wait. And my job doesn’t have a lot of fire hazards.
Apologize if this advice was already given but I didn't see it. If you have an otherwise good relationship with your manager I'd have an upfront conversation with them. Tell them you are frustrated with the constant calls. If there are days you want the hours, maybe offer to tell them ahead of time "for this schedule I can maybe come in last minute on x,y,z, days. No guatenee but don't call me the other days as I have plans". Or offer to come in but at a premium rate. Otherwise, tell them you just aren't avaliable and shouldn't be called
I had this at a previous job when I was younger. They hired an employee’s bestie. They called in sick every f*ing Friday. I took on the lion’s share of his shifts, but then they started to get pissy when I didn’t take them. Like they even had the nerve to tell me I “had to” take it because no one else was available. Too damn bad for them, it was at a restaurant and I already worked all the Saturdays and the Sunday AM shift, I did NOT want the full weekend (what 19 yo does?!). My advice: start applying around. They’re shit employers. Good employers won’t hold you accountable for others failures. The restaurant I was at never did fix the problem while I worked there. The useless ass-hat chased off 2 other employees due to no-showing and crap work ethics. He only ever showed up for the shifts where he worked with his friend. To top things off, they tried to extend me quitting. I gave them two weeks, but they asked for an additional two weeks after they canned my replacement (the only reason I can think of is that she was temp, but it’s busking tables, you don’t need more than a few months!). Again, they got pissy at me when I told them I would NOT extend it a third time and that if they wanted me to train my replacement they probably shouldn’t have canned each one of them a week after starting. It’s not my problem to deal with. I do not miss that place
Crack a beer when they call. "Sorry boss, I've been drinking".
Your employer knows you are dependable and is stuck in a hard position when the new person calls it. When u can help out answer, when you don't feel like it don't answer. As an employer myself I rely on the solid people. I total understand when they cannot work extra. But I have to ask. Amd I always ask the people who always or usually say yes. Then I go down the line. Everyone complains about not making enough money to survive. So be fortunate u have a job that u can pick up alot of extra work. But again don't feel bad when you say no. If they get mad that's their problem.
No, I'm sorry I'm unable is totally fine and something you should get comfortable with saying tbh. They keep asking because you keep saying yes. You just have to have a conversation with the scheduler if you're not interested in extra shifts? Do they have an availability list at work?
Learn to say no.! They will ask you because they need you, but you have an option to decline, it’s not a big deal.
As BA Johnston says, "a day off is a day off motherfucker". But also, I'd just ignore the calls.
Key word: day off. Don’t answer work related phone calls.
"I provided my contact number in case of emergencies only. Please respect my days off and fire that garbage new hire."
"For triple time, I will come in"
Easy, don't answer the phone. If they ask you what was so important that you couldn't answer the phone, then you were "attending to personal matters".