Waiting and Wondering When I and if I Will Be "Told" I Have to Work an Overnight Shift.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
September 22, 2017 6:33am CST
When I took this job I was under the impression that I would have to work 8-4 and an occasional 5-7 shift. I worked the 5-7 shift quite a bit because it was good money. Put me into overtime and also was paid a shift differential that gave me more pay per hour.
Yesterday I was told that the company has taken on a private duty client that is an hour drive away from where I live. I was asked if I would work an overnight shift. My answer was "no." Then I was asked about starting work at 7 a.m., again my answer was "no." The final question was working a late 4-10 shift, and I quickly refused that one as well.
At one of our staff meetings it was stated that we as full-time staff should be available to work any shift. I thought that was asking a bit too much of us. My predicament with having a 2-year old to care for should leave me out of that expectation. However, I am certain that come next week's staff meeting it will be the topic of discussion.
I have told my husband that I will not work that far from our home, nor will I work the shifts that they want me to work. If they insist I would put in my 2 week notice. My husband said I should let them take the upper hand and let them fire me so I can draw unemployment. I am not sure that I want that though. I believe that if I let them know my discontent and threaten to give notice it will send the message home.
Sorry about the rant. Just had to get it off my shoulders. Hopefully I won't need to look for another job so soon. Time will tell.
14 people like this
14 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
22 Sep 17
I believe that I may have to do what he suggested. We need the money for bills. Unemployment pay is better than nothing.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
22 Sep 17
@ElusiveButterfly This is what I think too.
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
22 Sep 17
I hope it will work out and you won't have to find another job. =(
5 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
22 Sep 17
I am a bit upset over this Jennifer. Seems that they really are pushing the staff to do things that make us feel uncomfortable.
The poor scheduler was told to find someone even though there isn't anyone that I know of who is willing to work overnight, or travel so far.
5 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
22 Sep 17
@ElusiveButterfly I understand completely, it's really not fair for them to expect anyone to do it.
4 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
22 Sep 17
@LovingMyBabies they shouldn't have taken on a client of they didn't have someone to fill the position.
5 people like this
@Juliaacv (48422)
• Canada
22 Sep 17
That's rough, but it sounds like its coming like it or not.
I'd be updating my resume if I were in your shoes.
Sad to think that you have to resort to starting over, but if you don't or cannot work the hours that they are coming up with it may be the only alternative.
Hopefully it doesn't come to that.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
22 Sep 17
They really need to make certain they have coverage for clients that need 24 hour coverage before saying they can do it. I realize that they need to make money in order to stay afloat, but if they can't provide the service don't say you will.
I have a resume ready and waiting. Just need to fluff it up a bit. There isn't much in our area for jobs. Whenever one opens there is no end to the applicants. Not even sure what I want to do at this time.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48422)
• Canada
23 Sep 17
@ElusiveButterfly That is the same here in our area. And at my age I find it works against me as well.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Sep 17
I see your point about putting in your notice to give you the upper hand. Sometimes that bluff will actually work. But I also agree with your husband, if they fire you then you can collect unemployment. I have told my boss multiple times that I will never quit my job, if they ever want me gone they will need to fire me. She laughs because she knows the exact reason why...collecting unemployment!
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
I do not wish to be let go, but in order to have money coming in, I would be okay with it. Since this company took over our agency we have had nothing but problems. We are overworked and underpaid. Sick of it.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Sep 17
@ElusiveButterfly Sounds exactly like my job, except we weren't taken over by another company. That's just the way our organization has always been. If I didn't have a nice pension waiting for me at the end of the line, I would have been out of there years ago! haha
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Sep 17
@ElusiveButterfly See, he's good for something, right? LOL I guess that means you should keep him around a little while longer!
2 people like this
@just4him (306196)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Sep 17
Your husband is right. Companies don't care about your home/life situations, only that you can do the work they want you to do. It's not like it used to be where you could make those kinds of threats and the company would heel to your way of thinking. You're just another person that is easily replaced.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
22 Sep 17
Sad part of this type of work is that many apply, are hired, and quickly leave shortly after they start work. It isn't for everybody.
2 people like this
@just4him (306196)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Sep 17
@ElusiveButterfly No it's not, still the company will not cater to its employees. That's not how they operate these days. I'll be surprised if yours does.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
@just4him I am prepared either way. I won't be pushed into doing something that doesn't suit me.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
22 Sep 17
I just don't like to burn my bridges. However, I could tell future employers the situation I was in and hopefully they would understand.
5 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
@GardenGerty I could go back to office work, but my skills are rusty.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
23 Sep 17
@ElusiveButterfly I would be looking now. You usually can tell prospective employers why you are looking and they will not call present ones.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
23 Sep 17
Even without a two year old, I have refused overnights at a couple of jobs. Currently working in a school that is not an issue. One advantage to school based employment. Is that an option for you? Find a new job before you leave this one.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
They are holding a substitute workshop, but I am not sure I want to do that kind of work. Having worked in the office at our local high school and one of the elementary schools, I know that subs have so much fun.
Not really certain what I want to do when I grow up. LOL
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
So, do I, but I am also bracing myself for what could happen as well.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
23 Sep 17
Oh no they cant expect you to do this especially now with a 2 yr old.
So...yes take your pick fired or notice..whatever will benefit you the most Sweets.
Surely they will not want such an Angel as you to leave them after working so diligently.
But today companies are more demanding.
Did another company take over or something..
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
Yes, we were bought out by this company 2 years ago and there has been nothing but problems ever since. A few of our good full time workers left once they found other employment.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
@TiarasOceanView Although the money will be tight on unemployment, the relief I will feel will be huge. There is a program that helps people 55 and older with getting jobs/training. It is a win/win situation for me.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
23 Sep 17
@ElusiveButterfly That is really too bad..they haven´t the foggiest then how to keep good employees. I wish you all the best whatever you decide..it would be good for you to be able to get unemployment.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
23 Sep 17
I'm sorry your employer isn't considering the needs or comfort of its employees. It's hard to find an employer who puts the employees first -- they all act like they own your soul once you start working for them anymore. I agree with your husband though, you should voice your discontent and refuse to work any schedule you're uncomfortable with, but let them make the next move so you can at least draw unemployment.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
Although I would miss my clients, I would be fine with a new job. The ball is in their court now.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
22 Sep 17
They should have told you that it was expected you to work any shift at the interview. Yeah I would let them fire me than giving them notice.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
22 Sep 17
I believe that will be the solution to the problem.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
I hope it does. Not only am I facing the problem of being told to work shifts I do not wish to work, I am not getting my hours. This means I need to use my earned time to make up the hours I would have worked.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
23 Sep 17
@YrNemo yes they are. Love being a grandmother!
1 person likes this
@YrNemo (20261)
•
23 Sep 17
@ElusiveButterfly Difficult having young children! But they are everything to us, right?
1 person likes this
@joanwanjala (522)
• Mombasa, Kenya
22 Sep 17
This is what my last job was, I left, yes, and went home to relax for 3 months, I didn't miss the place one bit
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
22 Sep 17
I won't sit and relax. I would be at our local job service researching my options.
