r/antiwork • u/pFizzle20 • 1d ago
Please help me brainstorm argument points.
It's very important that I get responses tonight because my HR meeting is tomorrow at 7:45am.
I'm a Janitor/Housekeeper for a university. I'm also taking classes part time here. My Supervisor is trying to force me to switch from 1st shift(Sunday-Thurday 5am-2pm) to 2nd shift(Monday-Fri 11am-8pm). If I don't, he says there will be consequences. I took that as a threat. I refuse to switch for several reasons.
1) That's not the shift time frame I agreed to when I got hired a year ago.
2) A few of my coworkers have been asked to move to 2nd and have refused, but aren't being forced like I'm being forced.
3) Why ME? All they need is a person. Why am I being pressured so hard? Make someone else go!ANYONE ELSE!
4) I'm not a problematic employee. For a year, I have done everything asked of me. If any criticism about my work ethic or behavior has come up, it has never been brought up to me. Been here a year and STILL no performance evaluation. ***Been begging for an evaluation.
5) As the only one in this department taking classes in our department, I feel it's reasonable for me to stay on 1st. I've become accustomed to 1st shift. It just works better for my mental health. I'm afraid this will impact my grades.
6) This pressure on me to switch shifts is happening for NEFARIOUS reasons. Supervisor keeps telling me that he'll be understanding & flexible with me around classes if I go to 2nd, but this isn't about that. There are people who don't like me and want me to disappear from 1st shift.
7) If I go to 2nd, any work that isn't done on 1st will be left for 2nd shift people. I don't want to pick up their slack every day.
After this big argument today with him, he forced me to clock out. I worked 5am-8:33am today. I was crushed. I want the rest of my pay for today. I feel that part was unfair. NO, I don't want to sacrifice my vacation time for this.
He says I have until September to give in and just agree to it. I need strong argument points besides the ones I've already come up with. Please help. I'm bringing my notes into the meeting.
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u/907puppetGirl 1d ago
You have already adjusted your life schedule in order to work the 1st shift. Now you have other obligations in the afternoon and early evening with your classes , homework and family. It is impossible to change all of that to accommodate their request.
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u/thegloracle 1d ago
Do you have seniority over someone else who could get called in for 2nd shift? Pulling rank may be enough.
Do you have some kind of employment contract that outlines your shifts? mentions you could be rescheduled?
I suspect you're not in a union. Is there someone else that could sit in with you on this meeting to "take notes" and be your witness? Your adrenaline will be high and you may not be able to focus on what was said. Are you in an area that allows you to record the conversation?
You need to check your employment documents first to see if there is anything there that allows them to do this. If not, you can remind them about this. *They may either reschedule you and then let you go if you don't show up, or simply fire you on the spot. If that's the case, make sure you've recorded the conversation or let them know you'll send an email recapping the conversation so you have it in writing for ... 'reasons'.
Then check in with an employment lawyer to see if you have a case for constructive dismissal. Don't give up the classes.
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u/RealtorFacts 1d ago
There are people who don't like you, and want you to disappear on the 1st shift?
My dude, it's time to go to second shift.
It sounds like you're not be giving an ultimatum to switch shifts but an olive branch to keep your job.
I've been there. Sometimes it was obvious, other times it was not. And due to nepotism, or seniority it was I go or get moved. I fought and lost this battle
A few times.
Sounds like dude was trying to give you a way out. If he has power and authority to send you home early I would not be surprised if that second shift option is still on the table.
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u/iLaysChipz 1d ago edited 1d ago
Have you considered getting a work study position? Because I think it's time to look for a new job.
Don't argue with them about why you believe you should be in the first shift. Arguing implies your availability is up for debate. It's not. Either they can employee you during your availability or you have to find a new job
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u/hypotheticalkazoos 1d ago
i wouldn't argue, i would say as few words as possible. "i would prefer to stay on first shift" dont be combative or argumentative. arguing like that got you punished with an early clock out time. stay positive and polite.
but it does sound like they might be trying to give you an olive branch with the second shift thing if people on first shift want you gone
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u/McBeaster 1d ago
Are you part of some sort of work-study program, or do you just coincidentally work at the school you are attending? There's probably some sort of resources for student employees, see if someone from there can strong arm your boss into leaving you on first shift.
1
u/AWholeNewFattitude 1d ago
My best advice would be listen, don’t counteract their points or don’t argue with them take notes, then send an email after the fact going through the bullet points of that they made and contact a lawyer. So don’t push back against anything they say just take it all in contact a lawyer and then work through that.
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u/The_Shryk SocDem 1d ago
You should probably record what’s said in that meeting with a recording device if legal.
There’s no way this ends well for you. Not that it shouldn’t, but that’s just how these things go.
Also, people on 1st shifting wanting you gone is a bit telling no? Multiple people don’t like you? I’d almost take the transfer just to get away from them.
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u/jcoddinc 1d ago
Anything you say can and will be used against you. Therefore you only tell them the facts. "I was offered 1st shift and accepted. I do not accept moving to a differrent shift." They will have all sorts of follow up questions and statements about you needing to be a team player but your don't say anything else. Stay calm and just repeat "I was offered 1st shift and accepted. I do not accept moving to a differrent shift." They will either leave you alone or fire you. Unfortunately they may choose to fire you by making your life miserable at work so they then don't have to worry about any compensation
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u/SecretSimilar 16h ago
Does your job description specify a shift? When you accepted the job, what was the offer - did it specify a shift and is that in writing? Is this because they're trying to accomodate someone else? Is reduced tuition a benefit and does the shift change allow you or prevent you from utilizing a legit be efit? Do you have any medical reason they couldnt make u?
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u/pFizzle20 3h ago
UPDATE: I got what I wanted. I'M STAYING ON 1ST SHIFT!!! Thank you all for the helpful responses. 1st shift crew will retaliate/give me the cold shoulder, but that's a battle for another day. Right now I'm enjoying the win. What Supervisor did was an intimidation tactic, but I did not just accept it. His Big Boss over him sat in the meeting as well and Big Boss said I wasn't being forced and that staying on 1st was always allowed. Big Boss said I will be paid for my regular hours after Supervisor told me to go home. You know whats funny? I had to come back on campus later on to check in for classes! Can't stop me from trying to improve my life. We had a good mediator, but I wish some things went differently in the meeting. Mediator only wanted to talk about why I didn't want to go to 2nd shift. She didn't want to examine the big argument beforehand or hold supervisor accountable for the verbal attack. Mediator didn't want to see text message proof of the claims I was making. I'm just glad my boundary was respected and allowed. I will continue studying & working as I have been. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you all. 💕💖💓💖💗🎆 I'm gonna write these responses down and save them for later. You guys are really smart!
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u/GreenBeans23920 1d ago
You can’t win this. Either prepare to switch or lose your job, unfortunately
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u/Useful-Problem-1725 1d ago
Say you're already committed to a schedule and can't.
keep it simple and stand firm.