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I'm a good employee but my manager is giving me less & less shifts. How should I approach this?

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Question - (28 March 2014) 3 Answers - (Newest, 28 March 2014)
A female United States age 30-35, anonymous writes:

I work in a restaurant. After I came back from winter vacation abroad and back to school, I filled out my February schedule as available Weds/Thurs/Fri evenings. My manager scheduled me Thurs and Fri evenings which was perfect. For March, I filled out Thurs and Fri evenings (I began having club events Weds) but he only gave me Fri evening. I suppose that's fine, from 5:30 to 1am. For April, I filled out the same schedule again and he gave me 7pm-1am Fridays.

At our recent store meeting, he mentioned that he was going to let some employees go because he recently hired way to many. It's the truth - Many of the experienced employees (including myself) have been confused as to why we have been hiring so many incompetent employees and keeping all of them. But the April schedule still shows all of them employed (3-4 shifts per week but shorter shifts).

I went through the schedule and realized that most people have a minimum of 2 days per week. Most work 3-4 days per week, with the exception of some older supervisors who are working full time. However I am the only employee with 1 shift per week and it's getting shorter and shorter. Seeing myself objectively, I know I do a good job at work. Much better than the guy who replaced my previous 5:30 shift who is constantly making mistakes (and I have to fix them).

I texted my manager to ask if I can work at 5:30pm Fridays again since I only work 4 days this month. I have yet to receive a response.

What should I do if he does not respond or update the schedule? My instincts tell me there is something odd going on. Is it because he knows I am graduating from college this spring?

I know I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm currently just waiting to see what happens (because the schedule is typically updated after he receives employee feedback). But if there's no response, should I ask my manager the same question in front of everyone at the monthly store meeting? In a nice way of course.

Or even ask the general manager for advice? I really don't want to go that far. I know he doesn't have to give me more shifts but I don't see the reason he's taking my shifts away. Should I ask? If I'm doing a bad job then I'll accept it but I know that's not the case.

Thanks everyone for your help! I typed this up very quickly so I apologize for any typos.

View related questions: at work, text

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (28 March 2014):

Thanks for your advices! cmarieky, yours was particularly helpful. I realized the availability may be just as important as skills. Perhaps I will add more availability next month. Hopefully I can get just one more day of work.

Texting via group chat is our manager's main way of communicating with all his employees. Some of my coworkers also send him their schedule that way. Our company culture is quite casual so I thought it was appropriate. Of course, I wrote it only to him and in a polite way. Although texting would not be my choice of communication for other companies/situations.

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A male reader, Sageoldguy1465 United States +, writes (28 March 2014):

Sageoldguy1465 agony auntAre you a waitress??????

No sensible boss is going to short-shift a good/great waitress (waiter) since they are an important part of the business's success.

I suggest that you ASK YOUR BOSS why you are not being asked to work more (shifts). He/she may give you answers that you would rather not hear.... but, at least you will be getting the "whole story" from the source, rather than asking a conjectural question to strangers, such as us Aunts and Uncles....

Good luck.... and STUDY HARD!!!!

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A female reader, cmarieky United States +, writes (28 March 2014):

Oh the restaurant chains. I've worked at a restaurant chain before. In fact it was a fortune 500 rated fine dining food chain. I'll explain their madness. Fast food chain have a high turnover period. They're always looking for some with a bright smile, welcoming demeanor, great with customers and follow directions. This person must also be available to work for the company.....not the other way around. Some managers even at non food chain jobs have an issue if u have other obligations and commitments, school or kids. Some may ask prior to interviewing do you have kids or do you work. Anyway they are meeting the demands of the company nothing personal about your performance. Each month you change your schedule and your availability is decreasing. They're looking for someone who wants to work for the company not so much the other way around. Hiring incompetent people is great and easier to train then know it alls. Especially if the trainees have positive attitude, enthusiastic, and available. The management team sees your commitment as school which they may respect seeing as you still work there. I'd say stick with what u got until much better comes along. They have made several attempts to work with your schedule each month will meeting the scheduling needs. With restaurant the schedule is made based on a projected customer. Unless they create specials to lure in customer they have to put only the amount needed of workers. Those taking leave, doctor appointments, and call offs all affect the scheduling. There is always someone willing to be more available smile more who needs a job. Even if they don't know the job the company would rather train that person than keep a person who knows their job well but with very limited schedule time to work and who may be leaving in the near future. Think like a manager. Now answer yourself the reason management is doing this to your schedule. My advice get another job to accommodate. I held 3 jobs will going to college. Had the same problem when one began giving me less days on schedule. Now I understand the restaurant needs are before the employee and the customer needs before the employee. We are hired to meet customers need. If our needs and customer needs conflict then it adversely affect restaurant. Hopefully you understand this. And you should have had a sit down with your supervisor to discuss your grievances it was very informal to send a text and expect a serious reply. Good luck and congratulations

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