Am I allowed to ask my work?

Question

I just joined an organization that meets on the weekends from 2-6. I'm 16 with a car payment, a little under $155 a month. Is it possible for me to say that I cannot work 8 hour shifts on the weekend anymore? I am positive I will still have enough income per month for my expenses. My work is flexible, so what do you think their reactions would be?

Answer 1

Being your age, and the fact that you work part-time, you can govern what hours you work, but you need to talk to your manager or supervisor about your scheduling.

Being a manager myself, I'll give you some persective about dealing with teens and scheduling conflicts.

Currently, we are dealing with a 19 year old who only wants to work some weekends, but only Saturdays. Granted, we have the bodies to cover all needed shifts, however, it can still be diffictult at times to fill in a shift if he calls out.

Whatever your schedule is, really depends on what you agreed to work when you were hired. I'm guessing you don't want to work after school, or you can't, and that is why you work mostly weekends.
Is there a compromise you can come up with for your schedule that won't put you and your employer in a bind? Can you work before and/ or after your meetings? Some employers might be willing to allow you to split your schedule if they can.

Either way, whatever you choose, it's best to talk to your employer (manager, supervisor, or Human Resources department if you have one) to discuss your scheduling. Don't be surprised if they have a problem with you dropping hours, but to help your case if you really want the to stay, offer up an alternative solution to the issue. It'll look good on your part, and show that you care about your job and the company, as well as helping your attempt at changing your hours. Good luck!

Answer 2

Eventhough you are 16. the company can ask you to work eight hour shifts on weekends and only 4 hours shifts on days that you have school. If they see that you cannot fit their requirements as an employee, then they can release you from that employment.

Answer 3

I think if you have a flexible schedule, and easy to talk to management, I don't see why not. You don't need a reason to not be available, you just have to tell them that your availability is changing. If you do not have open communication with your management, you might want to find a very positive way of bringing it up though. Hard to say what their reactions are going to be, but I always say it never hurts to ask!

Answer 4

If you feel that you can't work 8 hours shifts, and can afford not to work 8 hours shift, then you should talk to your employer. There should be a problem with reducing your hours if you requested it in enough time for your employer to find a replacement for the hours you won't be working.

Good luck,

Answer 5

Well if your only 16...you most likely work a min. wage job.........and most if not all min. wage jobs REQUIRE their employees to work a certain number of weekends. If I were you I would tell work that your unavailable between those hours and whatever day it is....then if they still want or need you to work they will schedule you before or after that time slot. (another thing...factor in driving time...so say it takes you an hour to get from your meeting thing to work...and it ends at 6....you would be available to work at 7)

Good Luck!

PS: Its nice to see a young teenager working and paying for their own car and stuff vs. letting mommy and daddy foot the bill for everything! Good job on being a responsible teen hun! ;)

Answer 6

if u have a lot of work hours youve been working there for at least to months then i know ull be fine. ANd If u make 155/month then kiss up to ur boss and buy him a cup of coffee r somethin everyonce in a wile for like a month and then sweet talk him in to a small raise.good luck!!!

Answer 7

It all depends on the type of work you do. Most jobs so long as they have coverage will work with you. But if you're saying that they're flexible then just ask, it won't hurt. Good Luck

Answer 8

Just wondering... Why do you need to attend this group? What does it provide? if there is a conflict between working and this group, would you be willing to occasionally let work win? As a young person, it may be hard to set a priority- have you discussed this with your folks? They may have all the help and expertise you need.

Did you originally agree to work weekends? Are the hours you work per week a set expectation and there is no way to meet the expectation unless you work Saturday? Sometimes there are things we like to do but work interferes- and sadly work, getting a good reference and a pay checque, wins out.

You can tell work anything you want- but if you agreed to work weekends, or there is a requirement to work weekends, or if you have to owkr a certain number of hours and there is no way to work it without working weekends, then you will have to work weekends or have trouble.

Do you belong to a union? Maybe they can help.

If there is no obligation to work Saturdays, or your hours are flexible, then there shouldn't be a problem. When working out things with an employer, its always best to get help from a Union or other staff side rep. It is not always possible to belong to a union but if you can its hepful. And, make sure you notify your employer in wirting... and make the note respectful. I have given a sample at the bottom of this.

Its not just your income that you have to worry about- sometimes weekend work attracts a higher wage- sometimes all staff share out their weekends, and if you dont take your share there could be resentment, or wheny you try for another job they might say that your attendance was poor or inflexible. They however can refuse to allow you to cut back on your hours- if you are hired to work 24 hours, you need to work 24 hours- to say "I cant work Saturdays" so you only work 16 hours a week violates the contract they have with you and they will not permit it. You have to work the hours per week that they hired you for, unless those too were flexible.

So first find your contract- if you cant find it, ask for a copy. Find out if there is a specific requirement to work weekends, and if so, exactly what it is, then make an appointment and talk to your manager to sort things out. Be friendly and supportive, and let them know that although you have this meeting, in a pinch if work is stuck, if they call you will come in(this is important- they need to see that you valyue them and will inconvenience yourself for them), be willing to be flexible with them and they will probably do the same. If they refuse to be flexible, and it is not in your contract to work weekends, then you might need to contact your state's department or labour or department or work and pensions or emplyment advisor- this is a place that sorts out disputes between you and your employer. You can reach them through where ever you would look for a job and find out about jobless benefits. They can give you good advice.

Good luck; you sound like a hard working and responsible young person and I sincerely hope it all works out great for you.

Dear (manager's name)

As of (date), I am no longer able to work Saturdays until after 7pm due to a conflicting obligaton. I have reviewed my contract of employment and find no obligation to specifically work Saturdays. ...... Thank you for allowing me to speak to you about this.

I will sontinue to work the overall hours for which I was hired. Of course, as we discussed, if the urgent need evolves I would be willing to occasionally cover a Saturday shift as I value my team and wish to support my colleagues. I will not be able to do this regularly.

I wish to thank you for supporting the resolution of this issue in a positive and friendly way: this is typical of the good working relationships I find here and part of why I enjoy working here.

Yours faithfully,

you

Answer 9

Just be friendly and honest and ask your workplace if there is anyway that you can take that time off. But be prepared that you might have to give up your organization. (At least until you can find a new job if they won't be flexible.)

Good luck!

Answer 10

if you approach this in a respective manner, and when speaking with your immediate supervisor, ask that person for advice, while explaining your situation. Sometimes they will suggest exactly what you are requesting, without you having to put yourself into a position by asking.