Never Request a Day off

My job is significant to me, much like other aspects of my life. It takes up most of my summer, sometimes working up to fifty hours a week. I started with McDonald’s when I was newly sixteen, in search of a job to add money to my bank account. When I applied they got back to me almost right away and set up an interview two days later. They called me back and said I got the job, my orientation date was March 03, 2021.

My parents drilled into my mind to take this job seriously and never call out unless I was fatally ill, wear appropriate clothes, and possibly the most important rule I go by: “first impressions are always the most impactful impressions.” I worked hard, picked up shifts when they needed help, and made a lasting impression because around a month after I was hired, the “People” department manager at the time asked if I would like to train to become a manager. I politely declined and said I would like to become a crew trainer first and then build my way up.

I am now in the place of the “People” department manager and continue to work hard at both school and work. I never request days off unless it is important, and during the summer I needed to attend an Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute meeting. I requested the day off accordingly. Lo and behold the schedule came out and on the day I was supposed to have off, I was scheduled from 10:30-6, which meant I was supposed to lead the shift during lunch and snack time. I was REAMING! Not only do I do what they ask of me, I go out of my way to help when they need it! This is what I get in response?!

I call my boss at the time, “Hello?” I hear through the crackly phone speaker.

“Hey,” I say, “I specifically requested Wednesday off for a meeting I had at three o’clock, is there any chance I could work 6 am to 2 pm so I can still get my eight hours? This meeting is really important.” My boss groans–not at me, but at the blatant ignorance of her assistant manager, who just so happens to be the manager that is in charge of the schedule.

“Yeah, come in 6-2, I’ll cover the remainder of the shift so Kami doesn’t have to come in early.” She says.

I protested the thought of her coming in on her day off, but she was insistent, “School is your most important thing right now, you’ve covered for me before I’m just returning the favor ok?”

I give in, “Okay.”

We say our goodbyes and it is set: I’m coming in at 6 and leaving at 2 for a meeting.

Wednesday rolls around and I’m in the middle of my shift – around 9 am. I feel a buzz in my pocket so I check my phone. It’s one of the girls from the Olympia Snowe group. I feel my heart drop as I read the message: “Hey guys, I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to make it to the meeting today,” followed by a little crying emoji. That was exactly what I wanted to do right now because I had to call my boss, tell her not to come in, AND work until 4:30 to cover for the time I was supposed to be there before the changes.

I worked the remainder of the shift in a bad mood and when the next running manager came in, she was in a bad mood. She had to count all of the drawers that were used during my shift and hers, as I was not able to complete a cash out because I worked ten hours. She barged into the building, went straight to the time clock, clocked in, came up front, and started angrily working. She was popping open happy meal boxes as if they had sucked the happiness out of her to make them colorful. Needless to say, she was livid because she had to come to work an hour early.

I tried to stock everything up for her, but as I was about to offer to fill the shake machine Kami scoffs, “you need to go home now; you’re already going over your hours.”

Fine I thought, I was just trying to help. The least she could do was say it with a little respect.

The next day Kami apologized for the way she spoke to me and said she was just frustrated because she was working a long shift. After all, she was the one that scheduled me when I requested the day off.

“Angry Pasta” by mrwalker is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.