can an employer refuse to grant you a decrease in hours worked if you need the time outside of work?

Question

can an employer refuse to grant you a decrease in hours worked if you need the time outside of work? And can the employer refuse to give you less hours unless you prove that the decrease in hourse is needed? I am a new target employee at a target store that is opening in October, but we have been doing a lot of preparing for the opening and I don't want all the hours they are having me work. When I first applied to target no one told me I had to work a certain number of hours. So I was just wondering if my employer can, in fact, refuse to decrease my hours? And if it is legal for them to require me to tell them why exactly I want the time off? For instance, if I was going to college or joining another program would I need to provide proof of me being in that program? I hope you guys can help me, because I am freaking out.

Answer 1

I am not a legal expert, but based on experience, I think that they have every right to deny you a decrease in hours. It sucks that they are being inflexible like that, but you didn't agree on hours before you started. When you get a job in the future, if the employer does not bring that up, you should. There are plenty of people out there who would be willing to work more hours than you, so I think that is why they ask you your reasons for wanting the decrease. They just want to make sure it is legitamate, that you are not being lazy.

Answer 2

Of course they can refuse the extra time off. When they hired you, it was for a certain amount of hours. They need a job done and are paying you for it. And of course they need to know why. An emergency is one thing; not wanting to work is another. If you can't do the time,.......
By the way, is this your first job? Get ready for a whole lifetime of doing things you don't really want to. It's called survival.

Answer 3

Generally, yes. You can always quit, decreasing your hours to zero, but they do not have to allow you to work a number less than current and more than zero.

They are required to allow you time off in these situations:
If a union contract or other contract says so
If you need the time to vote (in some states)
If you need the time for jury duty (in all states)
FMLA
National guard/military reserve duty (training or activation)

Answer 4

They can absolutely refuse to cut your hours if they want. There are probably some legal exceptions, such as if you have a disability that prevents you from working too much. They don't have to give you time off for school. It sounds like they might be trying to be reasonable if you have special circumstances, and it sounds like you don't. If you don't want to work that much, I suggest you look for another job with fewer hours and let someone else have yours that needs it.

Answer 5

It is legal for employers to require whatever hours they want .
If the job is not satisfactory to you , then you are free to resign .
No , they are not required to give you time off for college .

The only time an employer is required to give time off is when it is covered by the federally mandated family leave act . . .
Like , you are pregnant and expect to deliver soon or
Your spouse has cancer and gets chemo , & needs to be driven to the hospital .
They will require proof from the doctors for this however .

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Answer 6

Unfortunately they can. Assuming you live in an "at will" state and 99% of all states are, an employer (Target) can schedule your hours and either give you more than you want or less - as they wish. Your only remedy is to quit.