'I don't know how to bring up these things': Teenage worker keeps getting scheduled to work when she's not available, seeks advice about confronting boss

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
May 2, 2023 5:00 PM EDT

Lots of people start working between the ages of 14 to 17, depending on which US state you live in. That's the age when you can finally get your working papers, and join in with your cool friends who have jobs. Then you start a minimum wage shift and it's rough! You start to wonder why you were so eager to start working in the first place. 

This teen has a common problem with holding a job while you're still in high school: the scheduling is insanity. As she writes, she's had to change her schedule a three times in six months. But the OP's boss has continually messed up the schedule and put this woman down for shifts that she can't work, meaning the OP has to switch with other employees to make things work. The OP is now quite frustrated, and asked r/AmItheA**hole what to do about her boss's constant errors. 

Next, take a bite of these odd and adventurous food dishes. 

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  • 01
    Font - MONDAY MEETING W KATIE @9AM TUESDAY / 02 JANUARY 2018 WEDNESDAY / 03 'Making consistent errors on the schedule every week and then making the worker... fix your mistake is what I don't like.' mmm THURSDAY 04 12PM-2:PM LUNCH W/ ALLY @ NOS H FRIL 3:00-1 DD 8:00 MEE PAYN 11:00 CAC FRANCIS
    via Marissa Grootes on Unsplash
  • 02
    Font - r/AmIthe Asshole Posted by u/Various-Attention728 WIBTA if I tell my boss off? I (f16) have a part time job. My dad knows my boss as she has worked for him which is how I got the job.
    via u/Various-Attention728
  • 03
    Font - I have changed my schedule 3 times while working for her the past 6, almost 7 months. Recently I changed it again but I said I can't close and work on Saturdays. Now The 2nd time I changed my schedule I said I can't work Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I haven't changed that.
    via u/Various-Attention728
  • 04
    Font - My boss has made schedules plenty of times but only recently has she kept messing up. Almost every time she send out the schedule its scheduled for me on Thursdays which I said I can't work, so I swapped a shift. I got another schedule today saying I work on Thursday again but I was also scheduled to close 2 days back to back which I've said I can't do as well.
    via u/Various-Attention728
  • 05
    Font - Now I get it and understand errors because there's a lot of people who work where I work and I get things can get messed up....but making consistent errors on the schedule every week and then making the worker have to do the work to fix your mistake is what I don't like. By the way this hasn't happened just one or two times. It's been consistent for a little bit.
    via u/Various-Attention728
  • 06
    Font - Also, we do parties and there's a thing in our system that tells us when a party will be so we have workers host the party and plan. Well...there have been quite a lot of parties no one knew about until the party got here and I'm always the one to do it.
    via u/Various-Attention728
  • 07
    Font - I don't know how to bring up these things without sounding like an as e. I can't just say "Schedule better and check for parties so this doesn't happen again." I mean after all I am 16 and it might not be my place. However I do want to bring this up as it bothers me. Help.
    via u/Various-Attention728
  • 08
    Font - EDIT: When I say tell her off I mean telling her everything I just said. I don't mean yelling at her, sorry if that's confusing but I didn't mean it that way.
    via u/
  • 09
    Font - Far-Boot5639 Parta pant [4] YWBTA- never tell off a boss. But do continue to politely remind them of your conflicts/scheduling needs. And do understand though that not every party or event can accommodate or be scheduled to accommodate everyone. This is a good learning and growing experience
    via u/Far-Boot5639
  • 10
    Font - Dependent-Aside-9750. A Aficionado [14] Excellent and thoughtful responses, Boot. 2 Reply Share Various-Attention728 OP Thank you for the response I'll keep that in mind!
    via u/Dependent-Aside-9750
  • 11
    Font - Far-Boot5639. Parta pant [4] Remember too, it may not be an attack against you. It's most likely just an oversight that keeps getting missed. As employees are required to do more and more, so are bosses. Everyone is stressed beyond belief right now.
    via u/Far-Boot5639
  • 12
    Font - Various- Attention728 OP Yes I understand which is why I'm hesitant to bring it up.
    via u/Various- Attention728
  • 13
    Font - Far-Boot5639 Certainly bring it up, but as respectfully as you can
    via u/Far-Boot5639
  • 14
    Font - Glittering_knav e Partassipant... "I've noticed I keep getting scheduled at times when I am not available, what can I do to help make sure I get scheduled appropriately is better than blaming your boss.
    via u/Glittering_knave
  • 15
    Font - OkSeat4312 A Aficionado [14] "I think my availability needs to be clarified. Here's a list of when I can work. Thank you." YWBTA-please don't "tell off" your boss. This might be a skill she's just not that good at. Give the list in writing. 13 Reply Share Various-Attention728 OP That's great thank you!
    via u/OkSeat4312
  • 16
    Font - Scottstraw She might need a calendar or tech reminders, I use a request off calendar for my employees to prevent that kind of stuff
    via u/Scottstraw
  • 17
    Font - ThotsforTater Tots A Aficionado [16] Info: you're 16, can't work Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, and you can't close. I'm assuming you're still in high school, so let's say you get out of class at 2:30, which means you probably wouldn't be able to work after school until 3:00 or 3:30. Idk how late your place is open, but I assume your availability means you probably aren't working during the week, so you're really only available on Sundays?
    via u/ThotsforTater
  • 18
    Font - It sounds like your personal life makes you hard to employ right now. Sit down with your manager and reiterate your availability and ask how the two of you can work together to find a solution to you being scheduled when you aren't available. Basically make it a "how do we solve this problem together" versus a "this is your problem, you fix it". Ultimately it is her problem, but phrasing it in a diplomatic way will help with managing the working relationship with her.
    via u/ThotsforTater
  • 19
    Font - Various-Attention728 OP My school gets out at 2:55 so I don't get home until about 3:20 and I'm scheduled for 5 every weekday which I'm available except Thursdays and Tuesdays due to personal reasons. The Saturdays are because I'd like a weekend with no work and school it's just a break day. I'm available 4 days out of the whole week which you're only allowed to be employed there if you work minimum 3 days.
    via u/Various-Attention728
  • 20
    Font - Waxmaniac2 Aficionado [19] It's understandable that you're frustrated with your boss for consistently making scheduling errors and not communicating about parties. However, telling your boss off would likely not be a productive way to address the situation. It's important to A approach the conversation with a professional and respectful tone.
    via u/Waxmaniac2
  • 21
    Font - You could try setting up a meeting with your boss to discuss the scheduling issues and express your concerns in a calm and polite manner. Explain how the errors have been affecting you and ask if there is anything you can do to help prevent them from happening in the future. For the parties issue, you could ask if there is a way for the team to be informed about them earlier so that the hosting duties can be better planned.
    via u/Waxmaniac2
  • 22
    Font - Remember, it's important to communicate your concerns but to also approach the situation in a constructive and respectful way. Good luck! 5 Reply Share Various-Attention728 OP That's amazing advice I'll definitely use that.
    via u/Waxmaniac2

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boss aita school jobs teenagers advice
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