Location: California.
I work retail, and our district recently made a shift where all employees must be scheduled for the maximum number of hours. We cannot opt out.
How legal is this? Is there anything I can do?
Prior to this, I worked 3 shifts of varying length (22hrs out of a 28hr maximum) so I could balance going back to college. This means I’m doing a 7 day week, but I ensured two shorter days so I could handle homework, errands, chores, and other things that come up with being an adult in their own apartment.
This mandate means I now work five shifts a week, two of which fill up the free time I have. This is not in any way feasible for me.
Before anyone suggests it: I cannot quit. I have been actively applying for other jobs for 2 years, but it’s very clear we’re in a recession.
Can an employer do this? And what are my options?
Comments
It is completely legal for employers to set the schedule however they need. Without a union, there’s nothing you can do but attempt to negotiate, and either succeed at that, or not. What we need to do in our off-time isn’t something they need to schedule around (legally speaking).