Wife's boss is on a power trip. Is this legal?

neocamel@lemmy.studio to Asklemmy@lemmy.ml – 397 points –

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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“Personal obligation.” Should be the only response anybody gives him going forward.

Bad case of anal glaucoma. I just can't see my ass going in to work today.

A+, just got to figure out how to work this into conversation without getting HR involved now.

Then use a more medical sounding term

I think my Rectal-Ocular Degeneration is flaring up.

Exactly. I'm a manager and literally never ask the reason unless it's longer than a week. They like to tell me anyway even though I've told them I don't care.

Maybe they just really feel like they can open up to you, Dicksinabag.

I feel like I could open up to Discksinabag pretty easily

I'd actually prefer it if they opened up to me.

Open on up, bro. (But seriously, I believe in authenticity as a manager. I don't hide anything from them unless I'm told explicitly not to share with them.)

I can't imagine having a manager like in this post. I had to get a few hours coverage for my on call shift to pick my partner up from the hospital for an outpatient surgery. Manager didn't ask why I needed coverage but it just happened to come up. They immediately offered to get my entire shift moved without me even asking.

Seriously don't understand managers like this. Also a manager, qnd I'll even find the coverage if someone needs a day off. I know how nerve wracking it is as an employee calling around asking someone to cover your shift, its a lot easier for me to send a mass text. Incidentally, the staff seem much more willing to pick up shifts this way.

Could go into great detail about significant health issues, becoming more and more emotional as you go on, and tearfully asking "why would you make me talk about this? I wanted to keep this private! I haven't even told my family yet!".

And if the boss still refuses, have them put it in writting. So that you can slam them with the "Boss demanding medical information"