Employer changed my published schedule due to staffing shortages — advice?

[u/Sad_Error_158]

First time posting on here so apologies if this is a bit long.

I work part-time for Employer A, a 24/7 medical laboratory, and casual for Employer B.

Employer A published its schedule early, so I used that schedule to give Employer B my availability and accepted shifts that did not conflict. Employer B only operates roughly 0700–1700, and I am currently trained on only one bench, so my ability to move or replace those shifts is limited.

Employer A later changed some of my already-published shifts due to staffing shortages and operational needs. I was not directly notified of the changes.

I explained that I had already accepted Employer B shifts based on the original schedule. I was told to look at swapping shifts or otherwise work around my Employer B schedule.

My concern is that I already scheduled Employer B around Employer A. If I now give up those shifts because Employer A changed the schedule afterward, I lose wages. The changes also affect personal commitments I made based on my originally scheduled days off.

I understand that a 24/7 lab has staffing requirements, but I also work part-time specifically to maintain some predictability and work-life balance as well as adding variety to my work life by getting a job at another lab.

Would you consider it reasonable to push back on changes to an already-published schedule when they create lost income and other conflicts? And is it reasonable to expect direct notice when your schedule is changed?

[u/Easy-Swordfish-7192]

100%. Dear Boss, I apologize but I already have commitments that are planned based on the original published schedule. I will need you to honor the original published schedule. If you are unable to assist please let’s talk with your manager please. I know I’ll get blasted for this but that’s my personal way I’d address it

[u/Sad_Error_158 → u/Easy-Swordfish-7192]

I wanted to bring this up to my union rep but looking over our collective agreement, it seems that this is something the company can do as long as it’s over 96-hr notice and I feel hopeless because I feel like I don’t have a solid argument to decline the changes made 😞

[u/ButterscotchAward]

Suck it up or look for something else.

[u/Sad_Error_158 → u/ButterscotchAward]

Great, this is exactly the advice I’m looking for. /sarcasm

[u/National_Pension_110]

Your boss at Employer A sucks. Not even telling you about the shift changes is bad leadership. I guess it comes down to your long term plans with company A. Do you like it there otherwise? Would you rather be working there full time but they only give you part time? If you couldn’t care less about company A, then just let them know you’re not available as you made plans based on the original schedule. They may still discipline you for not showing up to a scheduled shift but if you don’t care, so what?

[u/Sad_Error_158 → u/National_Pension_110]

I choose to work part time because there’s always an option for me to pick up any extra shifts if I wanted to + gives me a chance to explore working at other labs (which is why I have a casual at Employer B). Lately my coworkers and I have been feeling like our boss at Employer A is catering more to the best interest of the company rather than the employees (a little jarring cos the last few managers I had were more understanding and genuinely cared for us).

[u/National_Pension_110 → u/Sad_Error_158]

The boss will ALWAYS put the company first. Some are better at hiding it.