LOLWUTJECTION

[Neonie]

Fuckyoujection!

So I called in sick to work today, and had the (new) manager tell ask me if I found someone to fill the shift. My answer to this was "What do you mean?"

Her: You have to find someone to cover the shift for you if your going to call in.

Me: I don't have the number of anyone I work with as I don't talk to my coworkers outside of work.

Her: What is your phone number?

Me: I don't really know since it's OWN MY PHONE and I would have to GO INTO MY PHONE in order to get it. (This is both true, and common of people who don't use their phone very often. To be perfectly honest, I call a total of THREE people, my Sister, my Mom, and the Taxi cab service aside from work).

Her: Will you hold on a second?

Me: Sure

Her: *click*

She hasn't called back yet. (if shes going to). As far as I'm concerned I called into to work. But there are servile things wrong with this entire situation and I would like to point them out:

A. She expects me to have the phone numbers of my coworkers. She leaves me only to think why exactly I would have their numbers. I keep my private life and work life COMPLETELY separate with no intention of changing that. I also hate phones and don't want people calling me.

B. She expects me to do work when I'm not on a clock. Something that is quite strictly against my stores policy. And yes I consider finding someone to cover a shift work wouldn't you?

C. She expects me to not only do this job, but it's also a job I'm not qualified to do. This is a job that should fall on the CSM (Floor manager, the person running front end). Not a checker/bagger hybrid.


Thoughts on all of this would be appreciated.

[b]Alright well nothing ever came of this and I eventually wound up in the Emergency Room yesterday. I guess this isn't really relevant anymore. Thanks for all your answers everyone 

[Luinbariel]

I can see why they might want someone to cover your shift. If you're working in the grocery store still, bagging stuff, they probably expect a certain number of people to be in that position at all times of each day. Because you aren't going to be there they want you to try and fill that space.

In most jobs I'd say that pff, no, that's not your problem, but because of that sort of job being as it is, I'm a lot less sure whether or not this should be up to you. If it was, they should have made it clear to you when you were hired, if they didn't already, that this is your responsibility.

Otherwise I wouldn't consider finding someone to cover your shift as work. If it isn't your responsibility in terms of their contract, I'd still say that it's a pretty normal request that you try and call around.

As for the part you aren't qualified to do, is it something you CAN'T do, or something you don't WANT to do because it falls out of your duties? If so, that changes things.

I've been to and quit many a job in my time (ugh), but before you decide what is and isn't your responsibility, I'd do a little research with the company, ask some fellow employees what they think, etc. Only do what you know you can get away with.

[zaneyard]

pretty much every job that isn't an office where you don't actually do work you're going to have to find someone to work for you
where i work we have a directory of all the people that work there.

[MrGrey]

smoke a joint, go to sleep, and dont give a shit.  problem solved!

its not in your job description to find people to cover your shift... thats why managers exist, to find coverage and to bust balls as often as possible.

thats why i use excuses like "my grandfather died" or "my uncle got into a car crash" because there is no rebuttle and no room for discussion... its just... HEY GOT AN EMERGNCY WILL EXPLAIN LATER *CLICK*

[CaffeinePowered]

A. She expects me to have the phone numbers of my coworkers. She leaves me only to think why exactly I would have their numbers. I keep my private life and work life COMPLETELY separate with no intention of changing that. I also hate phones and don't want people calling me.

Typically hourly jobs like yours might have some kind of phone list, though not for the purpose your manager describes, they are so workers can call each other to swap shifts, at least at two retail jobs I had that's what the list was for. Though it might be good if you knew what your phone number was, she was probably asking because the phone she answered on does not have caller ID and she might not have access to your number otherwise....that or she didn't want to be arsed to look it up (Id lean toward the latter).

B. She expects me to do work when I'm not on a clock. Something that is quite strictly against my stores policy. And yes I consider finding someone to cover a shift work wouldn't you?

You should not be doing work for no compensation, for an hourly worker like yourself this is a _strict_ rule, usually enforceable by law (IANAL) as is amounts to you being cheated out of money you are owed. It would be a different story if you were salaried. As a courtesy you could try to get someone to cover your shift, based on the current economy I'm sure someone wouldn't mind the extra hours, but it is NOT your job to find someone to cover in the event of sickness/emergency, that is the manager's duty.

C. She expects me to not only do this job, but it's also a job I'm not qualified to do. This is a job that should fall on the CSM (Floor manager, the person running front end). Not a checker/bagger hybrid.

If by "not qualified" you mean to find a substitute then yes you are "not qualified", you could do it as a courtesy, but it is not required. From a manager's perspective it would be a nice surprise since its less work for her to do if you got someone else to come in, but that's it. If you get punished or penalized for it you should complain to higher ups.

[Surf314]

Thanks to swine flu you can get her in trouble if she makes an issue of this. Just appeal to her boss saying she is putting me in a position where I'd have to come to work sick and scare off all of your customers, that is irresponsible.

[Neonie]

I appreciate the answers guys and yes by "not qualified" I mean it's basically just not my job to do it. But as well like I said, since I'm at home, and since the very REASON I'm not at work today is a shortness of breath and my chest hurting I don't really want to talk. I pretty much mean it's not really my job to do it. I also have no access to any list of phone numbers and never give my number out at work. so I pretty much don't want to and can't.

In order to do it I would literally have to go to the store to get the phone numbers, which is counter-productive to me trying not to push my self into unconsciousness over a minimum wage job.

[SAVAGE-0]

2 things:
1. It's entirely the managers fault if they never explained procedure of getting coverage when you call out.  aka. If they want it and handing out phonenumbers etc.
2.  Don't expect any job to buy the "its not my job to find coverage"  If you're not showing up for a shift you are sceduled for, then you are responsible for the shift.  Join a union if you want to use that excuse

[Neonie]

2 things:
1. It's entirely the managers fault if they never explained procedure of getting coverage when you call out.  aka. If they want it and handing out phonenumbers etc.
2.  Don't expect any job to buy the "its not my job to find coverage"  If you're not showing up for a shift you are sceduled for, then you are responsible for the shift.  Join a union if you want to use that excuse

I am part of a union 8D. I pay 9.95 a paycheck to be in it 

[zaneyard]

pretty much every job you're going to have to find someone to work for you

[Neonie]

Also to clarify, my friend who works at Subway says they have a list of numbers posted on the wall for when you need to call people to do this (I believe someone here also mentioned something like that). But all of the numbers of the employees are in a file behind a locked customer service desk or in the an office upstairs that only the hiring manager has access to 

So in order to actually get anyone number, I would have to go up and ask each individual person.

[zaneyard]

Also to clarify, my friend who works at Subway says they have a list of numbers posted on the wall for when you need to call people to do this (I believe someone here also mentioned something like that). But all of the numbers of the employees are in a file behind a locked customer service desk or in the an office upstairs that only the hiring manager has access to 

So in order to actually get anyone number, I would have to go up and ask each individual person.

well see that's dumb then
tell your manager to do it if only they have access to the numbers

[Aerox]

I couldn't get past the part where you didn't know your own phone number.

Also, while this is technically true,

It is NOT your job to find someone to cover in the event of sickness/emergency, that is the manager's duty.

if you're the guy who calls in at the last minute sick, at least have the decency to have attempted to find people to work for you instead of dumping it on your manager. They have enough to deal with, and it seems like basic common sense to call people, at least if only to try to trade shifts with someone who is working later in the week so you don't miss out on your hours. This was common courtesy even when I was working at 13. You can "BUT BUT THE LAW BUT BUT A PHONE CALL IS SO MUCH WORK" all you want, but it's pretty much an accepted standard to do this. Not only will you piss off your manager, you're probably also going to piss off your co-workers who get roped into coming in at the very last minute with no warning. They're probably happy to have the work, but advance warning and the ability to plan would be nice.

If you really don't want to work, the next time you're scheduled to come in and tell them you're not coming because you're not being compensated for the drive to work. If spending 2 minutes on the phone getting your shift covered is 'work' to you, I would assume that would apply to a 10 minute drive as well.

Enjoy getting shitty hours for the next few weeks.

[Neonie]

I couldn't get past the part where you didn't know your own phone number.

I -literally- call three people. I have no need to know my phone number  :. Even if I was going to call for help why in the fuck would I call my own cell phone 

[copulatingduck]

you're probably gonna get fired with those kinds of rationalizations

with low-level jobs like that employees are easy-come easy-go, if you can't abide by the rules and fulfill certain obligations (in this case at least giving them the courtesy of putting the effort into finding an employee that can cover for you since you're leaving them short-handed on such short notice), it will almost certainly be noted and taken into account if you ever get into any real kind of trouble at work

put another way: your lack of socializing with your peers outside of work is not their problem, but them being shorthanded because you didn't at least attempt to help them find someone to cover is

edit: pretty sure everyone knows their cell phone number, I wouldn't admit if i didn't know it or they'd almost certainly think I was lying or a moron (or maybe even both)

grammar

[Professor Funbucks]

[quote author=Aerox link=topic=3674.msg115693#msg115693 date=1254254866]
I couldn't get past the part where you didn't know your own phone number.

I -literally- call three people. I have no need to know my phone number  :. Even if I was going to call for help why in the fuck would I call my own cell phone 
[/quote]

You should know your number anyways, especially for work.
And yeah, what Duck said. if you're low level employee-ship, you're gonna be easily replaced if you do that kind of thing.

[Neonie]

Because of my Union they have to have three (signed by me) strikes against me, all of which I can dispute at the time of signing and refuse. I've also been at this job for over a year and have NEVER been told in any policy that I need to find a replacement, this is -not- the first time I've called in.

[Luinbariel]

[quote author=Aerox link=topic=3674.msg115693#msg115693 date=1254254866]
I couldn't get past the part where you didn't know your own phone number.

I -literally- call three people. I have no need to know my phone number  :. Even if I was going to call for help why in the fuck would I call my own cell phone 
[/quote]

It is actually amazing that you don't know your own phone number. Literally amazing.


Also, what others have said about attitude and ethic is true. It's easy to replace someone, union or no. If they want to, they'll find a way. And if they can't, it's NEVER a good idea to make your relationship with your manager uncomfortable by choice.

[rumsfald]

the basic rule of Texas employment law is employment at will, which applies to all phases of the employment relationship - it means that absent a statute or an express agreement (such as an employment contract) to the contrary, either party in an employment relationship may modify any of the terms or conditions of employment, or terminate the relationship altogether, for any reason, or no particular reason at all, with or without advance notice

I am not a lawyer, and I am not your lawyer, but unless your union agreement constitutes an express agreement, then the "three strikes" rule is more in-principle than inviolate. Even if you win the battle and the 3-strikes rule does apply, I would think most dumbass managers (which is the astounding majority) would be pissed at "losing" this argument and turn that vindictiveness toward dedicating themselves toward giving you 3-legitimate-strikes. That won't be pleasant, and your days would already be numbered.

I'm not going to be-labor the point, but I would echo what Aerox and Duck said. Every boss I have ever had has asked me to do some of their job for them. On the one hand, I could try to argue that I was "not qualified" to perform such work; but on the other hand it is very hard to argue for a promotion after you have already gone on record saying that you do not possess the qualifications or skills for that position. Pick your battles wisely.