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Wife's boss is on a power trip. Is this legal? (lemmy.studio)

submitted 1 year ago by neocamel@lemmy.studio to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

141 comments fedilink hide all child comments

My wife works in a restaurant, and the power-tripping manager has instituted a new policy where all shift changes must be approved by management. I think that is reasonable enough, but they're also asking the originally-scheduled employee why they are switching shifts, then approving or denying based on the answer.

For example, her coworker (Tom) wanted Monday afternoon off, and Harry agreed to cover the shift. The manager asked Tom why he wanted Harry to work for him, and Tom said, "I have a softball game." Manager denied the shift change because it was "unnecessary".

Is this legal? I feel like if you're able to find someone to cover your shift, you don't owe management any explanation why you need the time off. How should my wife approach this situation? Colorado, USA BTW.

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[–] kava@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Of course it's legal. Why wouldn't it be?

She should approach it by either following the stupid rules or finding a new job

I second others advice by saying as little as possible. "Family issues" "personal obligations" "health problem"

No use being honest with a boss that isn't understanding

[–] jocanib@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Of course it’s legal. Why wouldn’t it be?

I'm assuming you're USian?

The question almost anywhere else in the wealthy world is why would it be legal? The manager does not need to know therefore the manager has no right to ask.

[–] sphericth0r@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

No that's the case in the US too. I never ask why my employee wants time off, I don't need to know any more about their personal lives, they tell me too much already...

[–] kava@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes I'm in the US and I gave US-centric advice because OP is in US.

We all know US has shit labor laws. Although to be fair, I think in this scenario it would work the same way in ny home country of Brazil. When you want to switch you're essentially saying "I'm not showing up to my shift"

I'm not sure in what country that isn't insubordination and isn't subject to legal penalties by the employer.

[–] jocanib@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

When you want to switch you’re essentially saying “I’m not showing up to my shift”

Do you understand what a "switch" is?

[–] kava@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm thinking you don't. "I'm not showing up to my shift but I have someone to cover for me" is still "I'm not showing up to my shift"

[–] jocanib@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No it isn't. But you know that.

[–] kava@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Question. Are you physically present at the job site when you get someone to cover for you?