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First time I've ever posted a thread here but I figure this is worth a shot.
I'm a college student but since its Summer I got a part time job. I made it very clear on my application that it was only a Summer thing and I was looking for about 25-30 hours a week. I even restated this during the interview process at the risk of not getting the job. However, once I've gotten into the swing of things, I was getting 36-37 hours a week working 5 days. I can't say I really liked this but I didn't think it'd be worth it to say something. But the next schedule came out and I'm working a full 40 hours and 6 days that week. I know this probably makes me sound like a spoiled child but I really don't want to work that much and I thought I did a good job of letting them know that. On the other hand, I don't know if I should say something as its probably too late to get another job for the Summer and I'm in a lot of trouble if I lose this one. Think it would be a good idea to talk to my manager about my schedule, or should i just stay quiet?

I'm supposed to work 40 hours, 5 days a week, but we're really busy, so I'm working 46-48 6 days a week. Shit happens.

If you need the job, keep your mouth shut.

I suppose you could work your ass off and then take three weeks off before school picks up again. Just quit earlier than you expected.

If you don't have any other obligations during the summer, it might not be a bad idea to work those extra hours and save up the money. But if it's conflicting with other schedules, then by all means speak with your boss and see if s/he can work out a schedule that fits around yours.

I had to like all three of your posts. They speak good stuff man. I get, geeze, 20-30 applications a MONTH at my shop. People are dying for hours and money. Unless it's making your life difficult or you have prior commitments I would just rack up that cash brother.

All of the above and...if you are getting full time hours but no benefits due to being "part time", talk to the managers about getting said perks. Either you'll get them or they'll cut back your hours, which you want anyway.

I have te opposite problem, were tere aren't enough hours to go around as my store continues to plummet in sales. I've asked for something like 20-30 hours, like you, but am getting like 12-18.

At least it's lighting a fire under my ass to redouble my jobhunt efforts.

I assume you're from Buffalo (USA). I based this off your Sabres avatar. I'm unsure how I can help you as a Canadian as the "culture" between the USA and Canada is VERY different in this regard and since I'm from Quebec, even more alien.

Where I'm from, whatever you state in your interviews are generally respected. If you were honest and stated what you were looking for (a part-time job) and what your limits were (in hours) in no way shape of form should you feel obliged to work more than you should. This is.... after all a PART-TIME job. Working 40 hours isn't part-time.

The fact that the majority of the posters posted positively toward the employer in this thread (even one going as far as labeling you a number) showcases the American culture of things all to familiar to those here in my Province and is generally mocked. For a land of the free, you quite obviously aren't when you have to do something you're not supposed to when all you want is a job.

I feel for you and it all depends on how much you care about that job. As a student you obviously have other things on your plate beyond working a shitload of hours simply because the employer treats you wrongly. However if the money is good, by all means.

Maybe you should continue your job search or put your foot down so that shit like this is accepted.

Jay said:

The fact that the majority of the posters posted positively toward the employer in this thread (even one going as far as labeling you a number) showcases the American culture of things all to familiar to those here in my Province and is generally mocked. For a land of the free, you quite obviously aren't when you have to do something you're not supposed to when all you want is a job.

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Which thread are you reading? It ain't this one.

If you take Jay's advice, odds are that they won't do anything at all or that they'll write you out of the schedule completely, depending on how you bring it up. After all, they fill the schedule to suit their needs, not yours. There's nothing wrong with sticking up for yourself but be prepared for potential consequences.

That's what I'm saying. If you need the job, it's not worth losing just to cut some hours.

Talk to them. You made it clear what your work schedule was. They hired you knowing what to expect. They will have either forgotten, or they are intentionally abusing your agreement.

Chances are good they simply forgot.

If you don't talk, they will continue to schedule you for more hours than desired.

If you do talk, then it's unlikely that they'll fire you - you've already shown them that you'll work long hours without complaint, and they already know whether you're a good worker or not. They don't want to have to try to hire another person that might not work out if they already have one person that they know will work out.

So talk. Either they'll say they forgot, and they will schedule you differently, or they will tell you that you either work the hours they give you or you quit. It's exceptionally unlikely that you walk in, talk about your interview and application, and they fire you on the spot. It's simply such a small risk that it's not work worrying about getting fired.

Also, if they say they will make an attempt to ease up on the schedule, find out when they make the schedule, and remind them just before they make the schedule. Complain if they don't continue to keep up their end of the bargain.

Also, know your labor laws. If they schedule you for 40 hours, you may be eligible for insurance, paid vacation, and other benefits. Demand it, and those hours will magically go down.

Yes, you can be a sheep as so many others have suggested.

Don't.

I had a post, but basically.... The stienman is wisest.

Agreed. Just as he said, they're either going to fix it or say that that's just the way things are. If it were me, I'd take the hours and save up the extra money, but there's nothing keeping me from doing that. Good luck.

Oh yeah, talk to them if you need to and they will probably help you out but man, I'm just saying, people are fighting for hours at places right now, let alone jobs... make money if you can and save it.

Then spend it on presents for us!

In light of new information, I disavow my former post and hereby lobby on behalf of Cajungal's position.

Well thanks for the advice, but my manager said something today that made it sound like they don't think I'm very good at my job. Definitely gonna keep my mouth shut now.

If you aren't good why are they making you work so much?

blotsfan said:

Well thanks for the advice, but my manager said something today that made it sound like they don't think I'm very good at my job. Definitely gonna keep my mouth shut now.

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I say bullshit. If someone doesn't meet expectations they don't give them extra hours.

But I think the way you replied sadly makes me believe you'll simply going to endure.

blotsfan said:

Well thanks for the advice, but my manager said something today that made it sound like they don't think I'm very good at my job. Definitely gonna keep my mouth shut now.

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Well, it could very well be that they decided to try to get you to quit rather than firing you by making you work more hours than you agreed to. But I know nothing about the job or the people. Some bosses like to play mind games with their workers as a show of power. If they really don't like you, you'll know sooner than you want to, so rack up those hours while you can.

Either way, good luck.

I doubt they have him scheduled for so many hours to try and get him to quit. Most employers will cut hours to try and get someone to quit. Plus why would they have him around more if they didnt want him around.
Blotsfan Id say something. Go in and tell them that you'd like to be working 30 hours a week. Then let them know you can work more hours than that if needed but from the start you thought 30 hours is what you were going to be hired for. The extra hours you are getting could be them trying to accommodate for someone who did ask and they just forgot you did or them being nice and trying to give you more hours because that is what most employees want. Just be nice and show you are a regular human being just like them and you will either get your request or not. It doesnt sound like you complain alot or make a ton of requests at work so one request wont change what they think of you as a worker. Just ask.

Rovewin said:

I doubt they have him scheduled for so many hours to try and get him to quit. Most employers will cut hours to try and get someone to quit. Plus why would they have him around more if they didnt want him around.

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stienman said:

Some bosses like to play mind games with their workers as a show of power.

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quotemander

I'm pretty sure your boss is fucking with you so he can get you to work the hours you don't want to. Work the hours and quit four weeks before school starts.

Mathias said:

I'm pretty sure your boss is fucking with you so he can get you to work the hours you don't want to. Work the hours and quit four weeks before school starts.

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I think this. And party hard.

It could also be, and he is still an asshole for not being honest about it, that it's either he has you work more hours than you want, or he hires 2 people to work less hours overall.

Espy said:

It could also be, and he is still an asshole for not being honest about it, that it's either he has you work more hours than you want, or he hires 2 people to work less hours overall.

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All retail bosses are the fucking devil incarnate when it comes to scheduling. I can tell this is a retail job from a mile away.

It is walmart. I just didn't want to say that because I didn't want people to just make comments like "oh its walmart they're all the devil blah blah blah." However I decided to talk to a higher up manager than the ones I deal with on a daily basis. She basically said that she would try to cut back on my hours but can't guarantee anything. Not fired though, so I guess I'll take that.

Ah, je comprends maintenant.

When I worked at Kmart they were always telling me I sucked until I put in my two weeks notice. then they kept praising me. That was the worst job I ever had. It was completely demoralizing.

While I would rather have more hours than less, I get where you're coming from. Like Steinmen said, the U.S. Department of Labor has laws in place that entitle you to certain benefits if you are a full-time employee. Find out what Wal-Mart defines as "full-time" and proceed from there.

Best case? You might get some superpowers. Worst case? Some tumors, which they'll cut out of you.

... Sorry, wrong company.

The main issue with where you are is that Wal*Mart doesn't really have to value its employees. There are hundreds more waiting to be hired. They hold all the cards in this case.

Dave said:

The main issue with where you are is that Wal*Mart doesn't really have to value its employees. There are hundreds more waiting to be hired. They hold all the cards in this case.

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True, but if he is working full time he should push for the benefits.

Since you ARE working full time (40 hours a week is full time in the U.S.) then you are entitle to benefits. You are no longer consider to be Part-time anymore.

I think you have to work a certain consecutive number of weeks at full-time hours before you are considered to be a full-time employee. When I worked at WalMart, they would constantly work me at full-time hours, then drop me back down to part-time hours just before they hit the deadline.
blotsfan, sorry, but I have to say it. WalMart is hell and their managers are all personally trained by Satan. They will squeeze as much out of you as you can possibly give, then throw you under the rollers to try to get that last bit.
Talk to your co-workers and see if there's anyone who wants to pick up some of your shifts.

As for the hours, if you really need the job, then you might just "shut up" (which you said you would do) and do the hours and quit after the summer is over. Since it is a seasonal job, you would have to just bear it OR a chance to lose the job. They will just hire someone else who is willing to work 40 hrs a week.

Oh, walmart, that makes sense now. I used to work there, and was flat out told they didn't hire full time. They want you to work the hours without any of the benefits.

If the boss isn't giving you the hours you agreed upon, it's probably because he forgot, because he's dead inside.

makare said:

When I worked at Kmart they were always telling me I sucked until I put in my two weeks notice. then they kept praising me. That was the worst job I ever had. It was completely demoralizing.

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I worked at KMart one summer in the sporting goods section.



I gotta ask, did you take your job seriously enough to stress over it? If a manager gave me crap, I'd play dumb and nod my head - and roll my eyes when they left.

I did nothing the whole summer there that amounted to productive work and got paid like 9.50 an hour. It was sweet. One day I hid up in the storage loft where there was an old spy-glass mirror that used to house the security equipment. Yeah, anytime a hot chick was in the store, I ran up there and checked her ass out with binoculars. Most of my days I spent organizing the shelves, which consisted of playing with the stuff of the shelves. Ha! Now I remember stealing a copy of Diablo II from the warehouse display case. I had that game like two weeks before it was released. Oh and the rednecks getting their hunting and fishing licenses! They were a riot. State law mandated that they had to write down their Social Security number on the form. Oh the arguments I got into with that one! It was literally like scenes out of Clerks. I'd also sneak out of the store to go hang out with my friends while on the clock.

Best part. The managers never really gave me any major shit, until I gave in my two weeks notice. Apparently they thought I was going to work there permanently or something...

God, I miss those summer jobs. They were awesome. No responsibility and you get paid for it!
Added at: 19:09

Emrys said:

I think you have to work a certain consecutive number of weeks at full-time hours before you are considered to be a full-time employee. When I worked at WalMart, they would constantly work me at full-time hours, then drop me back down to part-time hours just before they hit the deadline.
blotsfan, sorry, but I have to say it. WalMart is hell and their managers are all personally trained by Satan. They will squeeze as much out of you as you can possibly give, then throw you under the rollers to try to get that last bit.
Talk to your co-workers and see if there's anyone who wants to pick up some of your shifts.

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That's why he should scrap by with the bare minimum. In a job like that, the less you do and more you get away with, the more it balances out all the ways your manager tries use you like a slave.

I worked there my senior year in high school and i got paid minimum wage. I did my job because if I lost it my mom would have been furious. The first day, five different managers explained to me that I am always being watched in the store and that if I stole something they would press charges. The people I worked with were either doped up losers who never did their jobs, second job taking super moms, managerial staff that wouldnt care if the store burned down with us in it and three girls I knew from school who hated me because my main ambition in life wasn't to flirt with older guys for beer. (On a side note those three girls were also the ones who dragged me to their church where they sang, danced, and cried for Christ for an hour and afterwards went and shoplifted from walmart).

I did my job and eked by in that filthy soul-sucking hellhole until I finally got to leave.

I'm generally not a goof off at work kind of person. Except for my preschool job where that was basically the job.

makare said:

(On a side note those three girls were also the ones who dragged me to their church where they sang, danced, and cried for Christ for an hour and afterwards went and shoplifted from walmart).

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I want to make a TV show about everyone you have ever worked with. The common denominator appears to be you. Do you attract crazypants?

Well, I guess I do.

Damn it.

makare said:

I worked there my senior year in high school and i got paid minimum wage. I did my job because if I lost it my mom would have been furious. The first day, five different managers explained to me that I am always being watched in the store and that if I stole something they would press charges. The people I worked with were either doped up losers who never did their jobs, second job taking super moms, managerial staff that wouldnt care if the store burned down with us in it and three girls I knew from school who hated me because my main ambition in life wasn't to flirt with older guys for beer. (On a side note those three girls were also the ones who dragged me to their church where they sang, danced, and cried for Christ for an hour and afterwards went and shoplifted from walmart).

I did my job and eked by in that filthy soul-sucking hellhole until I finally got to leave.

I'm generally not a goof off at work kind of person. Except for my preschool job where that was basically the job.

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See if you just scraped by, you'd look amazing compared to the losers that you worked with, and you'd have a chance to goof off.

I dunno, I never put much thought into being not fired from a McJob. I never really gave two shits if I was. Summer of 2001 I worked at an oil change place. The day I was going to turn in my two-weeks notice because school was starting up, it just so happened a customer complained that I didn't change his oil filter. I didn't change half the oil filters that whole summer. One of my supervisors gently broke the news to me, as if I was going to go on suicide watch upon hearing the news that I was fired. I handed him my two-week notice, did a big smokey burnout on my way out of the parking lot, and flipped everyone off as I fishtailed my Camaro into the sunset.

Best part of that job was if a customer gave me shit, I'd trick them into buying stuff they didn't need like a new air filter, transmission flush, or differential fluid "replace" for a car without a differential. I am a horrible retail employee.
Awww yeah.

You are helping the world make sense for me.

I never did retail, and I'm always extremely polite to clerks and staff. I don't understand getting pissed with them; usually what goes on isn't in their control.

I know people who do; they're ready to blow at the first moment a retail employee does a thing that isn't serving them. And I say "Why do you act like that? You've worked retail; you know how it sucks dealing with a shitty customer."

Now I understand. It's because when they deal with that employee "not doing it right", they see themselves.

Well I got my next schedule and I'm working 28 hours and got the day off i requested. I be content.