retired_komar

I'm currently working for a national supermarket chain during my year out mainly to help with savings. I’ve been there ten weeks now and other than having to do work I don't mind it that much. Until this problem occurred.

For the first 9 weeks I’ve worked sunday-thursday, then 4 weeks ago my line manager took my into the office and explained that my nights would change to tuesday-saturday which I agreed to. He also explained that this wouldn’t happen until a new guy started on my department. The said new guy started last thursday(1st nov) and worked a full week. Nothing at all was mentioned about my shifts changing. Only that another manager maybe coming across to train the new starter. Now that week I had two days holiday booked (Sunday Monday) which meant I would be doing a 3 day week this week.

So It comes to Friday and I finish work, GREAT!. That is until I get a phone call from my manager at 10.20 asking why I'm 20 minutes late. I explained that I was off Friday and Saturday. He then stated that he told me sometime during the week that my shifts had now changed. He pretty much told me to get into work ASAP. I explained that I wasn’t in the area and was away for the weekend (watching an away football game) He then asked If I could make it in for Saturday. I told him that’s when the match was and meant I couldn’t have a beer etc and would ruin my planned weekend. At this point I should mention that I work nights 10-7 just to avoid confusion.

He said that if I didn’t turn in on Friday or Saturday I would be classed as AWOL and I would be taken through the official disciplinary procedures when I arrived back at work. I explained that I wasn’t AWOL he knew where I was and it had been an case of crossed wires. I argued that I was 100% sure that he has not told me about the change being this week. I even accepted that he thought he did, but assured him I was unaware of this. At this point I could tell he was getting more aggressive because I was questioning him.

After I finished explaining the situation he said "What’s more important, the football or your job?" I replied "it's hardly fair to choose less than 24 hours before the game when I’ve already bought the ticket".

The conversation basically frazzled out after that with my saying "thanks for calling" I was quite annoyed by the point.



Now I have no idea what to do. He will either expect me in tonight (Saturday) or not till Tuesday after having 4 days off. Because he said I’m not in Sunday Monday as there my new days off. So basically I will lose two days pay and get an official disciplinary.



Does anyone have any advice at all? If you could reply soon that would be great. Ideally I would like to call during today so that I can speak to someone from day shift rather than him again. I feel it best if its someone neutral who could possible accept he has made a mistake. His attitude suggested that me mentioned he could be wrong was impossible.


Anyway thanks very much.

retired_ecmoore

Tell the smug c**t that you're enjoyment of life is better than slaving for a faceless corporation, and go and look for another job.

retired_mrszip

Ring and speak to HR, make them aware of the situation.

retired_drumcook

Should've said family funeral rather than away football match tbh.

But yeah ringing today and speaking to someone would be a good idea. At least then you can say that they were aware that you wouldn't be in tonight and that, as far as you were concerned, you were supposed to have these days off.

retired_drumcook

I've never known a HR person work on a weekend! but, yeah, do this after 9 on Monday...

retired_mrszip

I've never known a HR person work on a weekend! but, yeah, do this after 9 on Monday... </BLOCKQUOTE>

Good point lol

buffdaddy110

I think you are right to stand your ground.

If you live nearby the supermarket, you may consider calling in to see the line manager on Sunday or Monday to clear up the issue, otherwise go early Tuesday night.

It's a tricky issue because you say that you knew your shift was changing and had been informed when (if not specifically).
But you should have received written notification, at least by way of signing a new contract.
It's arguable that your supervisor should have notified you that your booked holiday would not be in effect anymore.

Be humble but not culpable.
Insist it's a misunderstanding as a result of ineffective communication.
If the guy insists on disciplining you, you can go higher up the chain to contest it, or file an official grievance, (though these should be as a last resort).

Regarding your pay, if you lose two days wages / get disciplined through absence, then you should still have your holidays.
If you get paid for the holidays, then you can reason that your shift was still Sun-Thurs.
Perhaps you can get the holiday shifted to Fri and Sat?

Good luck

retired_jesenia

Mate of mine asked for a weekend off so he could come away with us, they said no holiday available, he asked to swap shift, no joy, so rang in sick anyway. They can't do anything.

Tesco by any chance?

retired_komar

Thanks all It's a great help to think other people are of a similar opinion.

As I said before I'm not in the area And realistically Wont be back in the area till about 5pm sunday. I was planning on getting a few hours sleep then going to work at 10. Obviously this has changed now.

I might just go in on sunday night at ten as usual and go straight onto the shop floor and find my manager. If I just walk over and say to his face that he didnt tell me during the week and it wasnt made clear when it woiuld start. Atleast that way he will hopefully realise I'm not trying to pull a fast one.


I'm going to call now and ask to speak with HR thats if my manager isnt there. I doubt he is at this time of day but he does work very long hours.

I'll update soon, thanks.

retired_eddyloin

Used to get some right twattish managers when I used to work at Tesco.

As has been said, try and talk to someone in personnel and make them aware of the situation as soon as you can. If said manager has been rather arsey towards you, which it sounds like he has ("What’s more important, the football or your job?" (which sounds like a threat to me); 'He pretty much told me to get into work ASAP'), I'd bring that up as well. Just because they're managers, it doesn't give them a right to treat you like ****. Line managers in stores are one of the worst culprits for power trips, and it annoys the hell out of me. I think I'd have told the guy to stick it had he phoned me up like he did you.

Good luck.

Good luck