‘It's not my responsibility to work shifts that aren't assigned to me’: Employee wrongfully reprimanded by entitled management after refusing to work overtime for a no-show co-worker

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Jul 30, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

"They made me sign some official reprimand and put it in my file."

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  • It's always a relief when you get to clock out after a long shift. This feeling is so much better when you know that you have no other plans for the day, aware that what awaits you is the warm, idyllic sanctuary that is your comfortable bedroom. Netflix and DoorDash? Your favorite pet friend plopped comfortably on your exhausted lap? Sounds like paradise. Unfortunately, some toxic managerial-level individuals don't respect our time but profess that we are still expendable. Employees have to deal with a bunch of managerial nonsense, much like the one in this story.

    This employee was close to clocking out of their shift, patiently awaiting the next worker to relieve them. An employee of either of their statures must be on-site or the establishment must be shut down for the day, and this other employee was nowhere in sight, without contact. After many attempts to get in touch, OP decided to shut down for the day and let their manager know they were closing up shop. The manager responded, “Ok”. A week later, they were called into a 40-minute HR meeting where they were asked why they didn't stay, told how they weren't showing enough workplace initiative, etc. In the end, they were heavily influenced to sign an official reprimand to go in their file. Read the full story to get all of the nonsensical, entitled details. What would you do in this situation?

  • 01
    got reprimanded for not picking up an unexpected shift at the last minute
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 02
    Hey i dont really post here but i thought you guys might find this funny/ and i want to vent a little before bed. I was at work today and I got called into a 40 minute HR meeting because I didn't take a shift that a co- worker didn't show up for.
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 03
    I was at work 2 Saturdays ago and at the end of a 6-hour shift my coworker who was meant to come relieve me didn't show up. Nobody's really around on weekends, I won't say where I work but I'm the only one in the
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 04
    department and if it isn't staffed by somebody with my level of qualifications the whole department legally needs to be shut down for the day. Shutting down is an expensive procedure as it loses us a lot of business and results in a lot of complaints from the public, so obviously management doesn't like when we close for any reason.
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 05
    Anyways, the guy who was scheduled to come in just didn't show. Me and the only other person working in the building that day both tried to contact him via phone but he wasn't picking up. Couldn't contact my manager
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 06
    because she was on vacation, and the interim manager didn't pick up the phone or respond to texts. I waited 40 minutes for a response from anyone but did not get one, so I cleared the department and closed up. Then I
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 07
    sent another text to the interim manager telling her I closed up because this guy didn't show up. 2 hours later I get the "Ok" text from my manager. They didn't bring the issue up all week even though I was around and the actual manager was back from vacation. But today I got called into HR in an emergency meeting so they could inquire about the issue.
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 08
    At first I didn't even realize they were implying that I had done something wrong, I figured the meeting was just to confirm that this person didn't show up for their shift and they had to get some sort of official statement from me for whatever reason.
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 09
    First they asked "Why didn't you take X's shift" to which I replied "I had to get home", to which they answered "Why?" which was the point where I just kinda sat and stared for like 30 seconds because I was so confused.
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 10
    Eventually I snapped out of it and asked why it mattered since it wasn't my shift and they immediately retorted with "Once X didn't show up the shift became your responsibility, I'm just wondering why you chose to close the building rather than stay and pick up the shift." Again, leaving me speechless.
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 11
    The tone of the meeting at this point was getting aggressive to the point where I knew I was somehow the one getting in trouble for this. I considered lying about some appointment or something but in the end I just
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 12
    gave the honest answer "Yeah I was just tired and wanted to go home, it's not my responsibility to work shifts that aren't assigned to me, I need to be given notice." They rattled off a few things, at this point they sounded almost like they were reading from a pre-
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 13
    written script. I distinctly remember them saying "You know we would have paid you for the shift, right?" and trying to suppress laughter at the idea that I might work an unscheduled double-shift for no pay. Another gem was "We have an expectation that employees take initiative in situations like these and we didn't see that in you that day."
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 14
    Honestly I just sat there and took it, I'm stunned and a little confused. Mostly now I just find it funny if not a little frustrating. They made me sign some official reprimand and put it in my file. I'd understand if I was like responsible for a nuclear power
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 15
    plant and my leaving caused a city-wide blackout or something but literally all that happened is the business lost a little money and some people didn't get to buy stuff from us. This is a part- time minimum wage job I'm not going to pick up an unplanned double shift with no overtime pay, am I unreasonable in thinking these people are insane for just expecting that?
    via Beautiful_Set1888
  • 16
    XAIEA-12 6h ago What a joke. "Take initiative" means they want a sucker who will do whatever they say
    via XAlEA-12
  • 17
    empreur 6h ago I personally would not have. signed the reprimand note. I agree with your call to shut it down and go home. It was not your responsibility to pick up the shift - unless that's documented somewhere, which I seriously doubt.
    via empreur
  • 18
    Chilio95 6h ago • Naw them. Your shift was over so you went home. Nobody else would think "Oh the next person didn't show up so I'll gladly work their shift!" that, I'd go home too. If the manager has a problem with it, the next time that happens. Call them and tell them to come in and work that next shift.
    via Chilio95
  • 19
    SUNDER137 · 6h ago They want to hold someone responsible. Except the actual person who is responsible. You are a sacrificial lamb, a scapegoat if you will. They give zero about you and do not respect your time.
    via SUNDER137
  • 20
    patricknotpatrick • 5h ago Did the interim manager explain why they didn't do their job instead of ignoring you?
    via patricknotpatrick
  • 21
    Striking-Quarter2... 3h ago You should look in your employee hand book and see what the rules are. Years ago I had someone try this. In the book it said all extra shifts must be manager approved and employees need 24 hour notice to work extra shifts.
    via Striking-Quarter293
  • 22
    Miralidric · 4h ago Never do the "own initiative double shift", that just opens a door every time someone doesn't feel like coming in. You don't own them any explication, as to why you went where ever you want to go after your shift has ended.
    via Miralidric
  • 23
    NoContribution93... 4h ago Next time don't sign the statement, leave it unsigned and don't answer any questions beyond my shift. was over I informed manager x it is his responsibility to find coverage. If that's all I will be leaving now
    via NoContribution9322
  • 24
    Max_Sandpit • 5h ago What's going on with the person that didn't show up? I be they are friends/lovers with management and that's why they are trying to pin the problem on you.
    via Max_Sandpit

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