Should I Skip Work?

Question

I'm a grad student and I go to school full time and work part time. I rarely go anywhere fun, or do anything special with my friends. However, tomorrow night is a close friend of mine's birthday. She original wasn't going to do anything for her birthday, but then at the last minute decided to go out to a really fancy, trendy restuarant in a large city near our home. She, of course, invited me to go.

However, I'm scheduled to work at my job tomorrow night. It's too late at this point in time to ask my managers to switch my schedule and too late to ask anyone to cover for me. My job always over staffs on the weekends, and I really won't be missed much.

I'm regualary a good employee. I rarely call out and I always do my job well.
I really want to go out tomorrow night, but I'm not sure what to do about my job. Should I call out. I work hard and feel I deserve a night out.

Also, this current job has nothing to do with my studies or career. It pays min wage.

All of my friends are young, like me, but work full time. No school, b/c of this I rarely see them anymore. They live a normal 9-5, where as I live the life of a struggling student.

Makes me miss doing normal things, like going out for dinner and drinks, with people my own age.

forgot to mention, they are all college educationed also. Don't know if that means anything

Sorry, so many spelling mistakes. Very sorry, I'm always in a hurry on here.

Answer 1

Plenty of minimum wage jobs out there. Go for it, call in sick.

Answer 2

If it is not too late to ask here it is not too late to ask someone to cover for you if that is a privelege you have in that job.

As an employer and former business owner I can tell you I would be very unhappy with an employee who no showed for a social event especially when they knew 24 hrs ahead. And somehow it always ends up thet the boss finds out, I don't know how but it does. Yes it is inconvenient to have to work and miss fun it's called being an adult. There are many real world responsibilities that will be inconvenient. My advice is cover your shift in an acceptable way or show up to work and work with a good attitude.

I rememebr going to school and working full time. It was not easy but when I was done I had not only the degrees but the real world experience and a reputation for being reliable that got me a job that was better than most newly degreed ppl.

Answer 3

I have a feeling you wouldn't be fired if you skipped work. So the question is not about possible discipline coming from the boss but your feeling of guilt- torn between your friend and your work. If you skip the party, you won't miss just the fun but also might feel U let your friend down, especially that friend is not just any friend; she is a close friend. If you skip work, you will feel guilty to your boss and co-workers. I gather you are leaning toward going to the party because you tried to justify your intention with- I really won't be missed much, ....I rarely call out and I always do my job well... I deserve a night out.

Answer 4

I know this is a hard one - but if you haven't said anything to anyone that you work with yet, you could consider it, but I would first consider this: you need to ask yourself if you could get by without having that job, at least until you find another one. Because regardless of what the reason is, if you miss work you may be at risk of losing your job. I don't know how it is where you work, and you may be just fine. But make sure you first consider the consequences before you decide. I think you definately deserve the night out. If you decide to go for it - have fun and be safe!

Answer 5

Make this an exception and go have fun with your friends. It's her birthday and your job doesn't sound the type you will love in the future after you're done with school. I'm sure if it's the professional job you love, you won't even think of skipping work. You will feel guilty for lying, but you can make an excuse to tell your current employer you need to go to visit someone (preferably relative) in need, which is somehow truth your friends want you there. If your boss doesn't like it, I'm convinced you can find similar job elsewhere. I think you deserve this moment to have fun with your friends you hardly see.

Answer 6

I too work for minimum wage and have had to miss things because of work. If you call in sick, they could be short because of other employees doing the same thing, andif you really are sick then you might not be able to take the day off in the future. Your best course of action is to go to work tommorow night, then plan a night out with your friend next week. Management doesn't typically like it when peolpe miss work at the last minute.

Answer 7

This is why you are a good employee. You worry too much. You sound like need to live more. Life is too short for 100K in student loans and working 80 hours a week. Find a job you love and you'll make more money than you will ever need.

Live for today, and just call in sick already. If you don't abuse the system anyhow, don't fret. Besides... it's just a part time gig anyhoo while your in school anyhow?? right? I wouldn't fret about it. A job like that you can find in a half hour on a quick walk. :)

(devil on the left shoulder) DOOOO IT!!!!! LIVE NOW WORRY LATER!!! :)

Answer 8

I think you already know the answer to this question. Integrity demands that you go to work, even though you'll miss an opportunity to have a good time. Do your best to try to get someone to sub for you, and if you can't find anyone, then go to work. You could even try calling your employer and explaining the situation to see if they just will let you miss work. But don't be dishonest. Your friend will understand that you couldn't go because of the short notice, and you can always celebrate with her later.

Answer 9

sounds like you are going to have a guilty conscience if you do call in, why not at least try to find someone to cover for you or since your job always over staffs tell your boss you had something really important come up and maybe work only the early part of your shift. If you have not called in a lot they will probably understand and they will appreciate the heads up.

Answer 10

Yes I think you should. Being a student and working is a hard time but you should remember to enjoy life too. Everyone needs to have time out with their friends, and your a good worker and a hard working student. I say you deserve it. Also especially since you say that you dont get to hang out as much. A job isn't important compared to your education cause you can always get another one. They wouldn't fire you though, right. It's not like your skipping class to go.

Answer 11

I wouldn't skip work. It may be a min wage job but when you begin looking for work in your chosen field you will probably need the reference. Many people don't celebrate their birthday on their BD; ask her if the two of you can celebrate it soon on a date you're not scheduled to work.

PS: I know you're looking for permission here to skip work & since most are giving it to you, I hope you have a good time anyway.