I need advice about a sitution at work!
I work in daycare five times a week. On Tuesdays I go in at 3pm to help get the kids up from nap, get them a snack and get the ready to go home. Recently, my boss told (not asked) if I can come in on Tuesdays at 11am just for an hour, leave and then come back at 3pm. At first, my reaction was “if I’m in the area” and the subject never came up again. When I left I told myself -it’s not worth it for me. She’s basically running into my personal time. I am not always home at that time and no matter where I am I would have to give myself 30 min to get to work. It’s smack in the middle of the day! My parens rely on me a lot and I am always doing or taking them where they need to go. I’ve been thinking about it for the past few weeks. The subject never came up again. I am trying to find a way to basically say it’s not worth it for me. What would you do if you were in my situation? She is the type of person that gets her way and basically won’t take no for an answer. Should I send her an email? Should I bring up the subject before she does again? I’m lost for words on this one!
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
8 Answers
“I will have to say’ no.’ As you might imagine, it is too inconvenient. I’m sorry.”
Not another word. No long ramblings. It is unreasonable and would make no sense for anyone. If however, she wanted you to come in at 11:00 PM, stay for a complete shift, that is a different matter.
If it’s a huge inconvenience, I would say something to remind her that you help your parents when you’re not working and see if someone else may be able to step up and help that day.
“I am a half hour from you. It is really not worth my time to come in briefly for an hour, and then have to come back.”
I have had this situation. In my previous job, they told me I had to come in for an hour, and I answered back that if I came in, I’d have to stay for 4 hours to make it pay. They were OK with that.
In this situation, I’d explain that if I’m coming in for only an hour then leave, I need extra pay to cover my expenses. They need to pay me my regular pay plus a little extra, (double or even triple my hourly pay would be OK). In addition, I also need to be paid for drive time to and from work plus wear and tear on my car. If that doesn’t work for you/them, they may need to find someone else.
By the way, it’s unlikely they’re going to find someone else to fit that time slot. You just might get what you are asking for, that is if you don’t mind chopping up your day like that.
What state do you live in? In California I think there’s a 3 hour minimum. They can’t make an employee come on and only work one hour. I could be wrong on the minimum though.
As others have noted, be diplomatic, respectful and professional as you say, “No, thank you,” ... and look for a new job.
The type of boss that you’ve described is one who will manufacture a reason to let you go – if that is even a necessity in your jurisdiction – or will simply fire you without cause if you are in an “at will” employment location, and then turn to the next person on her list and give them the same ultimatum.
However, since you already work from 3 PM until it’s time for the kids to go home, which I presume is in the late afternoon and early evening, it seems that you’re not working more than about two hours at a time as is. So it might be possible instead of a flat “no way” to negotiate for more hours (consecutive hours!) on the day/s that she wants you instead of refusing her.
All the same, I’d be looking for new employment if I were you, given her obvious nature.
In California this would be called a split shift and is not legal.
One Tuesday for a special situation? I might do it once to help out, but not more. I would ask to be paid for my commuting time in addition to the hour.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
