Am I obligated to work another persons shift and or can I be fired for not taking over another persons shift?

Question

Hi, I currently work at D D and I was fired today. I work my hours every week, do everything that is asked even if I disagree with it weather its the manager or not. Today I was giving a warning for leaving before someone else came to do their shift for last week, this is not the first time that the person did not show up and also I have waited up to 2 hours for them to get to do their shift and even sometimes fill in last minute canceling all my plans that I had schedualed. Today the same thing happened I had to go right after work and here it is 1 hour after my shift ended, the person called and avoided me and told another worked that he wasn't comming in. I still looked for someone to fill in for him but no one and I had things to do and places to go. Everyone their does what they want like not comming in and leaving when ever they want and I do it once I get into trouble.Am I obligated to work another persons shift and or can I be fired for not taking over another persons shi

Wow that you guys, I though that I might be able to do somthing about it I just wasn't 100% sure. An the reason a lot of these people in this store are getting away with it is because they are all ither family or friends of the mannager. There are a total of like 3 employees out of 15 that are not related or best friends. I will contact unemployement and see how it goes.

Thanks agian,
McChuter1988

In my state (Mass) I belive it is not our job to take on others people work. I do my job. My job is not to do other peoples job.

Answer 1

You can definitely do something about this. Contact your union if your in one. If not, join one. This is disgusting. It isn't your responsibility to cover someone elses shift, and good on you for leaving on time. Someone needs to teach your boss a lesson, because if nothing is done, the same thing will happen to the next person that is employed in your place. There is lots of things you can do in this regard, whether you union backs you or not. Join a better union. Speak to other workers. Take action. Power to you.

Fesch> oh yes, because bosses can be trusted *rolls eyes*

Answer 2

you are employed at will - you can be fired for any reason or no reason at any time short of discrimination.

if you want the job, smooth it over, then in a few days when all is calm, ask to discuss this. hopefully you kept track of the dates and times, if not, start keeping track in a little notebook. Show you are willing to help out, but some people are repeatedly taking advantage of you without warning and you need help understanding how that is fair.

Answer 3

if you have a copy of the schedule and your manager was on site, then you can take it to the wages board and sue them for your job back. you are only required to work the shift scheduled. if the other person shows up, thats the managers problem, not yours. call your local unemployment office or the department of wages and explain your situation. they will be able to help you a lot more than some people on a Q and A site.

Answer 4

It will actually depend on your job.

If you have any union, you have a greivance. If you are what they term an "at will" employee, meaning you work as you choose, and your employer employs you as they choose, you have no recourse as far as I know.

If that is the case, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits due to termination.

Good luck.

Answer 5

It depends on where you are.

Most American states are "employment at will", which means you can be fired for any reason not specifically prohibited by law. Refusing to do a second shift is not a protected reason, so yes, they can fire you for it.

Richard

Answer 6

yes u can get fired for that, the reason your boss ask you to work another shift maybe you the only one that he or she can trust

Answer 7

i said it many times on here-unions -if you don't have one they can fire you for combing your hair wrong