What is my employer doing?

Question

I work at a daycare and I was hired to be the main infant teacher. After about a week, they gave my position away and hired someone else and gave this woman my hours and as for me...they've asked me to be the "floater" or the person who walks around to all the classrooms and asks if they need help. I've asked them about it....they said I dind't do anything wrong and they also said they changed everyone's hours. When I talked to other employees, they did get their hours changed but they got to keep their classrooms. I totally lost mine and I was the only one that happened to. They said that since they just started their business, they want to "try out" everyone in everywhere to find the perfect fit for everyone, but that doesn't explain why, if we had enough staff, they would hire a new person to be in MY old position. I just do not believe them that I didn't do anything wrong. I must have. Or I must be uncomfortable for some parents just because I'm 20 years old and have 6 months experience at a daycare. What are they doing?? It doesn't sound like they know at all what they are doing, or if they do, they aren't sharing it with me. And now I'm left cleaning floors when no one needs me in their classroom. Was I hired for the infant room or hired to keep the seat warm for someone else? Thats not fair that they should just give my eight hours away and leave me with a six hour day (if that, since they send me home if no one needs me, so I could end up with a two or a four hour day) mopping floors, doing laundry, and filling toilet paper dispensers, every now and then going into a classroom to give someone a bathroom break.

What is their deal?!?! And why won't they come straight with me?

Answer 1

It sounds like they were not comfortable letting you watch infants and do not have the heart to fire you.

They tried you out and you did not make the cut.

Answer 2

As you said, the business just started. They probably were just not comfortable with you being as young as you are with the experience you have. You may not have what it takes yet.

If I were you, I'd just keep working there with my head held high and prove mysef to them. Maybe you will get your infant position back. plus, the longer you work there, the more experience you will gain and also the more they will trust you.

I'm 20 years old myself and I probably wouldn't even trust myself in watching babies. They are just so fragile and you need so much more experience than just six months.  

As for why they aren't telling you about it, I agree that is not fair. They should at least tell you what you did or didn't do that you shouldn't or should have done. Maybe they just don't have the heart to fire you. Or maybe they have found a better use for you doing something else for the time being.

Some businesses, especially new ones where they are just starting, tend to fire some people if they find someone better. I would just be happy that I still had my job even if I just mopped floors. you are still getting paid and if all else fails, you can use the free time you have, since you are no longer at work all day, to find other jobs.

But in a starting business, I'm sorry to say I'm going to have to agree with where they may be coming from. They, if they are just starting, cannot risk and cannot afford to risk any mistakes right now. So they will ask the person least likely to make the mistake to do the job. Maybe this woman had more experience than you. Maybe she was a transfer so they gave her the position right away. Maybe she had some kind of training or degree in infant care that you didn't. You may not have necessarily done anything wrong, but at the same time, you just may not have been qualified enough.

I'm sorry this happened to you, but welcome to the world of business. If you aren't specially trained to do something, and no, six months, even if that's what they require, it's a minimum and that is not enough, then you will be beaten out by someone more qualified. Just hang in there and if you have to, find another job.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Why are you asking us instead of your employer?

Answer 4

Talk to the labor board. Call them and ask about this.

Answer 5

This is not a tax question.

Answer 6

You didn't cut it as a teacher.  They probably liked you personally so they found you a position that they were comfortable with.  And since they are a new business, maybe they don't have the business acumen (or guts) to say that to your face.

Unless you have a formal contract, your employment is "at will" in the US.  This means that either of you can sever the relationship at any time with no notice.  It also means that either of you can change the terms of the employment agreement at any time, without notice.  If the other doesn't like the new terms and you cannot come to a mutual agreement then you quit or they can fire you.