Son may get fired advise please!

My son got his first job about a month ago. When he was hired on he told him he needed to be off this week for a ROTC Youth Leadership Conference. Well now the person doing the schedule said she never got this request. I really dont' know what to tell him to do.

Now keep in mind that he only works 15 hours a week so I really don't see how they cant't replace him for those hours but they are refusing. I am not going to tell my son to cancel his conference it is too important to his future.

Do you think it is irresponsible to tell my son not to show up? I want him to have good work values but this is just a part time job.

could he try and find his own replacement?? That's what I would try to do. I'm sure one of his co workers wouldn't mind the extra hours. But if they are being so unreasonable then who knows if they'll let him swap

So the person he spoke to at the time of hire doesn't remember his request for the week off?  Did he get it in writing or via e-mail?  I live in CA and the laws are very "employee" friendly.  However, a new hire who is working part-time generally doesn't have many rights.  I would suggest that you have your son explain to his boss why this conference is so important.  Make sure he also tells the boss how much he enjoys his job and that this would be a one-time exception.  Perhaps the boss will change their mind and allow him the time off.

Can he have a talk with the person who hired him?  That would be my first idea.

Other than that - give lots of notice that he IS going to go because that was the agreement, then go and have a good experience.  Where is he working?  If it is a fast food or a place like WalMart, it is no big deal.  If he is getting career experience, it would be different.

That's my 2 cents, anyway.

How old is he? What kind of job is this? What kind of reference does he need from this job?

The suggestion above about finding his own replacement is a good one.

Does he have anything in writing stating that he had approval for his leave? 

He is 16 the job is at Kroger. He is trying to get ahold of the girl that hired him the problem is that she hires for two Krogers in the area and she is not based at his. He talked to the manager and he said that the lady that hired him should have not made that promise. No he doesn't have anything in writing.

He does belong to the union that may help some.

It won't matter if he's fired from Kroger at the age of 16, so don't worry about it. Being in the union should help. Tell him to talk to a steward about the problem. He'll also know from now on to get anything that is promised during an interview or at hiring time in writing.

That the way I look at it too. I just want him to have good work values. He hasn't missed a day yet and he goes in when they call him so I think maybe they won't fire him. I just can't believe they are being such jerks about it. I am sure there is plenty of teenagers working there that would like to have more hours.

I am going to tell him to try and get someone to take his shift.

He's going to an ROTC Youth Leadership Conference, honey. His values are intact.

But yes, finding a sub won't hurt.

Shame on the manager at Kroger for not seeing the kid's quality.

 He is a good kid. Actually the first thing he told when he found out they didn't give him off was: "well it is my fault so I will just cancel my conference."

I was like no way that is something that you were selected for and turning that down.

The problem with being a teenager at a supermarket job is that you ARE easy to replace.  Many managers, sadly, feel no need to WORK with teenagers to get through problems - it is somehow easier to just find another one.  Not to mention that if they have a lot of high schoolers working there, there may be some labor laws coming into play as to how many hours they can work (not really certain about the laws - just seem to remember something).  And if he has only been there a month, they may not have really gotten to know how good a kid he is.

It is too bad that this is his first experience at a job, but hopefully, he will learn from it.  He sounds like an awesome kid - hope mine turn out like that!

I wish your son would've gotten it in writing.  When I submitted my job application and resume for where I currently work, I made it very clear I would be unable to work the week of my wedding.  I had it in writing that I would not be available those days and my employer understood.  I gave my notice before I even got the job.  So, when I did get hired, they waited until a week after my wedding to start me.

I advised my mom to do the same when she was looking for a job and had an event coming up.  Her current employer knows she's going out of town in October and hired her with the understanding she couldn't work it.

Because it's union, your son has the option to call in sick that day.  If they try to fire him it's the union's job to protect his job.  He can reference his union book for any details, such as calling in while on probation.  Make sure there's no loopholes in there that'll get him fired, like calling in on a weekend and not making it up.  It's the best option I can think of at this point, besides shift swapping.

If your son's job is really that unwilling to work with him on his future goals, is that really somewhere he wants to be working anyway?  That job is not worth it.  I hope he goes to the conference.  If he can't switch, get them to let him off, call in sick or work something out where he won't lose his job, I'd advise him to quit before they fired him and just look for a different job.

I would probably advise him to do everything he can to find a replacement for himself.  If it comes down to no giving in, i would tell my kid to quit, respectfully- stating that "i am in ROTC, military, etc, and i cannot work for a company that would not suport that.  If i were in the Guard, or called up for active duty, you would be REQUIRED, Legally, to let me leave, and guarantee a position when i return...sooo...and leave it open like that.  Having your teen know the law and politely putting it out there for the manager just may be enough to have the mgr rethink being such a tightwad! Just a suggestion.  And having him quit with his principles intact is much more appealing to the next employer, vs being fired for not showing up.

I don't think it matters if he told the person who hired him. He should've put the request in writing to his manager. 

kawnd-- The kid is in ROTC... not the army. He's not being called up for duty. 

I hear an awful lot of middle aged d-bags complaining about how the youth of today are so messed up. They complain about a lack of values and sense of duty. When you stumble upon a good kid, the first response should be to help him, not threaten to fire him.

That manager is a d-bag.

This is a life lesson.  Things like this will happen for the rest of his life in one way or another.  Even if he loses his job, he will have learned that some things are more important and hard decisions need to be made.  Sounds like he is taking the responsible action, and in the future, what is happening now will help him. It's part of growing up.  You're doing a good job.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I knew I would get some good reponses here. We will just see how it goes.

Original Post by trytobehealthy:

My son got his first job about a month ago. When he was hired on he told him he needed to be off this week for a ROTC Youth Leadership Conference. Well now the person doing the schedule said she never got this request. I really dont' know what to tell him to do.

Now keep in mind that he only works 15 hours a week so I really don't see how they cant't replace him for those hours but they are refusing. I am not going to tell my son to cancel his conference it is too important to his future.

Do you think it is irresponsible to tell my son not to show up? I want him to have good work values but this is just a part time job.

 

 

 

 I think it's terrible that they won't accomodate him especially considering he's working towards a future with the military. Shame on the employer...

Off topic: But your daughter is gorgeous!!! (profile photo)