What do you think? Work schedule?

Question

I have a reception job. The job is is shared between 12 people. We each get about 3 shifts a week- I wish I could get more, but so does everybody else.

Although everybody really wants to get more hours, there is a problem. Most people I work with want/need a lot of time off for things going on in their life. It's great because I have picked up a lot more hours by taking shifts.

Now it has become a trend for my co-workers to trade, as in "Can I work your Friday shift and trade you for my Sunday shift so I can go to a party I'm invited to?"

A co-woker is going on vacation for 3 weeks, but I found out he did not request time off because he wants to take all of the shifts during his vacation and trade them for other shifts so he doesn't lose any shifts/money.

I believe that if you can't work ur shift then u should lose those hours. Can I say, "I will take ur shift if u need it off, but I want to keep my shifts." Is that rude of me or am I within my right to say that?

Answer 1

You need more hours, they need someone to fill in the other people's shifts.

You can do that, no it is not rude.

Answer 2

Nope you can definantly say that. Good luck with getting more hours.

Answer 3

No, that is not rude at all. If a person wants the time off, fine, but you should not feel obligated to give up one of your shifts. They are the ones who want the time off to play.

Answer 4

You absolutely should not feel obligated to sacrifice some of your shifts just because he's going away for 3 weeks!  His loss should be your gain!  If he asks, just explain you need to work your shifts, too, but will gladly take on some of his uncovered shifts!

Answer 5

yes you have the right to say that. you can say anything you want in America that's why this country is great. but there is nothing wrong with saying I'll take yours but I'm keeping mine they are your assigned shifts and you only give them up if you want to.

Answer 6

Yes, you can keep your shifts. You are really under no obligation to assist unless you want to.

Good luck.

Answer 7

For the most part I dont see anything wrong with trading.  However, sometimes it gets to a point where people abuse it.  And this is one of those cases.  3 weeks vaca, at about 3 shifts per week...   Thats 9 shifts.  And its going to come to a point where someone will feel abligated to switch with him because he will pull the pity pity me and hes already made arrangments or reservations or paid, someone has to trade with me.

It wouldnt have been so bad if he had made arrangments to trade in the first place, but waiting this long and not doing anything til the last minute is very unprofessional.

If he asks you, just tell him that you dont mind taking his extra shifts, but you are not going to trade.  Thats fine and dont worry about it.  If someone else is willing to do trade, then you wont get it.  If he cant find anyone else, then you may get it after all.

But when you refuse to trade with them, just remember that they will likely not ever want to trade when you need it..  Not just that person but the rest of the office.