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Wife's boss is on a power trip. Is this legal? (lemmy.studio)

submitted 1 year ago by neocamel@lemmy.studio to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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My wife works in a restaurant, and the power-tripping manager has instituted a new policy where all shift changes must be approved by management. I think that is reasonable enough, but they're also asking the originally-scheduled employee why they are switching shifts, then approving or denying based on the answer.

For example, her coworker (Tom) wanted Monday afternoon off, and Harry agreed to cover the shift. The manager asked Tom why he wanted Harry to work for him, and Tom said, "I have a softball game." Manager denied the shift change because it was "unnecessary".

Is this legal? I feel like if you're able to find someone to cover your shift, you don't owe management any explanation why you need the time off. How should my wife approach this situation? Colorado, USA BTW.

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[–] dandroid@dandroid.app 94 points 1 year ago (16 children)

I would decline to answer, and if pressed, say something vague, such as, "a medical procedure". That should be enough for most people, but if it they keep pressing, I would come up with something embarrassing, such as, "I need the time off to get my anal prolapse taken care of." Then be upset that you had to disclose private medical information and ask to speak to HR.

[–] shanjezi@lemmy.world 36 points 1 year ago (6 children)

Despite the fact that, as another user pointed out, restaurants rarely have an HR department, it is important to remember that HR exists solely to protect the company. They are not there to advocate for your rights as an employee. If you think your rights have been violated at work, you should contact your state's labor department (assuming you are US based). My state even has a nice website that outlines your rights as an employee and a form you can submit if your rights have been violated.

[–] neekz0r@lemmy.ml 16 points 1 year ago (2 children)

100% this. A former coworker was fired a month ago because he filed an HR complaint about his boss, because the boss was being an asshole to him (according to co worker).

This is the same boss who joked about beating his wife and kicking his dog in a meeting, so I'm fairly certain it's true.

HR is NEVER your friend.

[–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

If that's the case and they aren't leaving out pertinent information, that's a pretty clear case of retaliation, which is illegal in many/most US states, even those without robust worker protection laws.

[–] GBU_28@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

Sounds like he didn't have documented proof sufficient to bring a suit against the company. Sucks but save your emails. Forwarding is free

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