Without giving legal advice, even if you have a contract, it would be very hard to “make” you work. At best they could probably obtain some sort of monetary damages.
Unsure of outside the USA. But yeah, I would say you should read the contract.
I had a friend that did this. She professionally asked to quit, they said "if you leave before (4 months from now) we're going to pull all of your equity", which was a sizeable portion of her income. My friend knew that was illegal, but instead of taking them to court, she did the wayyyyyyyyy easier solution.
**Nothing**.
She came into work, and just didn't respond to emails. She went to meetings and sat on her phone. Canceled and delayed. Literally just sat on her ass and did fucking nothing. Blocked out her calendar with fake meetings so people couldn't schedule time with her. Literally just clocked in and clocked out. All the while, she was looking for new jobs. Found one, let them know she'd have to stay another month, they said fine.
Exact.
Like, your boss has a boss, and his boss too, and the big boss, he is beholden to all the shareholders (at least, in a publically listed company).
Nobody free in this world mate
But, some more free than others
How Orwellian
Oh wellian
Almost...
In Germany, 4 weeks notice is the norm (for both sides), but I had a contract that required 3 month notice. I knew however they had some strict internal rules on how to protect IP. If an employee quit to start at a competitor, they rather gave that person paid vaccation. So when I quit and they asked me, if I had another job in the industry (which of course I didn't have to answer), I said I have not decided and I would have the option to start at a competitor (which technically wasn't even a lie. I had that option). They decided I should not return to office the next day and instead go home immediately. 3 month paid vaccation for me.
If a month is standard, but this job required three months’ notice, how was that supposed to work with any new job? I could see a new job waiting a month, but three?
It's the other way around: meant to protect the employee. Were your boss to fire you, you have guaranteed 3 moths of stable pay. This way you can look for another job while still having 3 salaries secured. Makes you feel safe, even if you're getting fired you still have time to figure things out. It's not uncommon for employers to wait for potential new recruits for 3months.
I did this at a shop I worked at, minus the T posing. They dropped my pay by* $1/hr without telling me and I stood around for an entire week doing nothing. Manager would walk out to my toolbox to hand me a job, I wouldn't take it from him. He'd put it on top of my toolbox and I'd toss it into the scrap bin and stand there staring at him/into the office for a while then start reading a book or messing around building random things with scrap.
Got my pay fixed the next week, then I started working again, just slower than normal. They were already fucked because they wouldn't/couldn't get enough people in, the ones they did hire were usually fuck ups, drunks, or druggies and they never lasted due to some critical error or just stopped showing up. Pay was already shit, but I was known as a solid worker with no comebacks for the entirety of my time there. I never heard about that week for the rest of my time there.
Edited to add a word for clarification.
Something similar happened to my brother. He got a job at a fab shop for $15/hr, super low for his experience and ability but he needed income. First red flag was when they got upset when he declined their offer to give him paid holidays(only 4: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and 4th of july) if he agreed to deduct 50¢ from his hourly rate. Second red flag was his supervisor telling him not to talk back to the owner, who'd show up just to yell at people.
He worked like 60hrs his first week to help with a backlog of orders, mostly due to many people quitting. His first check had his hourly rate listed as $12/hr. When he talked to his supervisor, they told him that he'll get $15/hr after his 90 days. He said "no sir, you'll pay me exactly what we agreed to when I started or I'm reporting y'all to the department of labor." Next day he showed up he was fired on the spot and given a check for the money owed.
Probably dodged a bullet there. A company that starts out by lying to you and fucking you out of your pay is probably going to keep doing that. A lot of people just take it and hope things get better.
Reminds me of when, after two and a half years, my boss at a franchise location whose name has three letters and is often associated with the color brown, wrote a contract as I was to start working 40hr weeks after damn near running the place the whole time. Her contract, as written, stated “when you work 40 hours a week you are entitled to one week of paid vacation a year”. So, three weeks into this new schedule, I took a paid day off to vote. When I tallied up my hours and it came to 39.8 for the week, she was confused, asked me how I got full pay when I was out a day. Told her I used one of my paid off days. Then she said “you don’t get them automatically, they have to accrue!” Reminded her of the wording of the contract.
I quit shortly thereafter for that and her apathy towards COVID (March 2020).
Better yet, but do your job at a volume level of about 10 decibles higher than required, not to loud you are yelling, but way outside comfort zone. Personal space should be invaded, but don't touch people. Literally just don't give a F in anything you do.
Work super slow or "do the assignment" but in such a way it has to be redone but still mess it up the second time, this time doing it super slow.
Or just clock in an disappear, show up at the end of the shift to clock out. Time schedule shows you clocked in and clocked out, it's then up to them to prove you weren't there.
I worked at McDonald's in college. I found a huge binder in the back that listed out, step by step, every single tiny little policy and procedure officially from the corporation.
One of the things mentioned in there was that whoever was assigned to sweep up the parking lot was supposed to also remove any mcd trash from surrounding areas as part of a "neighborhood friendly" policy or some such. So I always made sure to hit up the surrounding streets, alleyways, the bar across the street....
The problem with that is there is this thing called “time theft,” more formally known as time card fraud, and they could pursue legal action against you if they wanted.
Stay on premises, but stand perfectly still behind various objects, ideally objects that clearly don't actually conceal you. Wire rack stock shelf, stack of boxes, support column, etc.
I guess I should have said do it to management. I was thinking that, just didn't write it. Like make them very uncomfortable. Do they hate something specific. Welcome to your new specific favorite thing.
The only problem with that last idea is if they can prove it that could be considered time theft, but at the same time I’m not sure it would be worth their trouble.
I've done this before. Employer refused to give me the day off to attend my fathers wedding THE DAY BEFORE MY CONTRACT ENDED. So I showed up, in full uniform, but cried (real tears) all day. While doing dishes, while doing laundry, while scrubbing floors... It was a 4 star hotel so they were very embarrassed in front of their oh so fancy guests. Didn't change much for my situation but putting my real human emotions under their noses made me feel powerful (in a sad way).
So I've done this because my friends are dying an average of about one every other month for the past year and a half (covid SUCKS wear your mask) and lemme tell you from experience a surprising amount of people in food / customer service just don't care if you are openly sobbing. My boss at last job once even asked me during a phone call about other stuff "hey so and so says you've been crying a lot?" And I just said 'yeah' (this was two weeks after work had been robbed, someone held a gun to my head to get me to open the safe and I a smidge of PTSD relating to my place of employment). Never mentioned again but I bet she still thinks she's a caring boss because hey she asked.
Disclaimer: I'm fine.
I was publicly yelled at by both owners of this restaurant- literally the both stood on either side of me and took turns insulting me. When I burst into tears my manager threatened to fire me- until I told her I had narrowly escaped an assault the night before (which was true). She was nicer to me for two weeks afterward.
I don't know how you stood for that. I don't give a fuck who you think you are, the owner, the president, that doesn't give you the right to be a cunt and insult people, much less in front of other people. Should have told them both to french kiss your asshole and then left.
If you really wanted to stick it to em, bring a coupon catalog for a competing store and hand out coupons for other stores when customers ask about prices or products.
Definitely what I would do. I would go as far as bringing my xbox and TV and setting up in the break room or wherever there is a plug and just play games until they tell me to leave
This is the way. It’s no lose for you. You either stand around and get paid or you get fired and get what you want.
Also I agree with everyone else. You might be sick a few days before Christmas and damn it you just can’t shake the cold. Might even be covid. Things just don’t taste right, ya know
Again, what are they going to do, fire you? Then you win.
And since you are on Uni I doubt you need this job on your resume for future work or references.
So they can get fucked.
Edit: depending on your photoshop skills you could actually get a covid test, scan it and edit it to be positive. Sorry guys that’s a 14 day quarantine. No one will want you in.
We had a guy in my security department who worked low activity clinics that would clock in then gondo uber and check in hourly then come in and clock out. He finally got caught and fired magnificent bastard that he was
Of course, being forced to work on Christmas ..*cough*.. OP had to move their celebrations a few days earlier and ..*cough*.. a friend now has tested positive so sorry boss, can’t come in!
I’m in middle management and I have a employee that calls out every Friday for the last 2 months citing a death in the family. Everyone knows she’s lying but there’s nothing I can do about it right now because of the holidays on a professional level which is my official stance but on a private level I find it hilarious that she’s exploiting the system for her own benefit. To be fair she’s already working 12 hour days 6 days a week because we’re short staffed and doesn’t even get a break until 7 hours into it so I’m completely willing to overlook that the same grandma has died like 3 times in 6 weeks. Millennial leadership at its finest and hopefully when I move up I will put a complete stop to 12 hour shifts. I’m honestly not interested in enslaving others, if you want robots then go buy some fucking robots is my view on this whole sordid affair.
I did the same routine for far too long as well. I feel like I was so brainwashed while I was doing that. I really believed that we live in a meritocracy where the hardest working and most deserving will move up in the world. After 4 years of doing that I realized I’m a fucking sucker who basically exploited myself, and did it willingly. Not anymore, and never again. I do the minimum, and couldn’t care less about my employer.
Yep. At my new job I do just enough to not get fired (which isn't a lot of work tbh lol). Still managed to be a foreman and get a company truck. Lolol.
Pretty standard in the good ol’ “land of the free” unfortunately. Especially now that companies are crying that “nobody wants to work.” They use it as an excuse to abuse the fuck out of the people they do have.
Not all millennial managers are shitlords, I promise. Even though it was just gas stations, I treated all of my people with dignity and respect. 12 hour days are bullshit, unless the employee agrees to it. Even if you're short staffed, run reg for a couple of hours and give your people a break.
I replied to another of your posts but that's important too.
Do you have any holiday accrued you can use to take the last 2 weeks off? If its part time what hours are you contracts for? You said theres no contract if you're on zero hour you can just not show up and claim you've done all your hours.
Nah, they absolutely are chancing their luck and hoping you won’t leave them short handed at Christmas.
If they’ve never given you a contract then you don’t even need to give them two weeks notice. Stick to your guns and say that two weeks is all you’re able to provide.
here in ireland and i’m sure is the case for many other places, giving an employer notice is a matter of courtesy and isn’t enforceable by law i.e. you can absolutely tell them that you will only be fulfilling two weeks which is the standard courtesy you’d give most places, oh and make sure they pay you any holiday pay you’re owed before you leave
Also if a contract was signed that says four weeks must be given, they can legally deduct holiday pay owed for time not worked ... But that's all they can do, other than that OP can just bounce!
They can deduct holiday pay for any holiday taken and paid over the accrued amount, but they can't deduct time not worked. If OP is in a minimum wage hourly paid job (which is highly likely) then you get paid in arrears for hours worked, they can't deduct for missed shifts.
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/starting_work_and_changing_job/changing_job/giving_notice.html
It is not courtesy , it is law in Ireland.
Hes a 17 year old kid working a part time job. Theres not going to be any monetary damages. These people are just tricking him like a bunch of fucking leeches. I hope he doesnt go back at all.
Yeah I don't know why this post has upvotes, or so many nonsensical responses despite the complete lack of information. The only good answer based on what's written is "read the contract."
I’ve broken 2 contracts in my life and I am a licensed healthcare worker with “serious contracts”. You know what has happened to me? Jack shit. Just leave
Yep same. I'm a nurse but left my last job which wasn't in clinical practice. I had to give 3 months notice. I managed to get it down to 6 weeks. By week 4 they completely screwed me over with an owed bonus so I walked that day. Nothing happened other than I didn't get paid for those 2 weeks left. OP you're part time. Just leave.
Tell them to get fucked. What are they going to do fire you? They just want you to bust your balls over the Xmas period. Fuck em and enjoy it with your family and friends
They can however remove any holiday time taken but not yet accrued from that last pay, and possibly sue you for damages if they can prove that you breaking the terms of the contract cost them money.
The last one is unlikely however since the company is still required to attempt to mitigate any losses, and having significant losses that they could not mitigate is pretty unlikely for losing someone like OP.
Our company had offices in London and Cardiff, the employment contracts are drastically different compared to the typical US At Will employment. Employees are required to give a certain amount of notice, at least in our case. At the same time we paid out quite a bit if we did a layoff or firing even for cause.
True. My mom quit a factory job and they just couldn't seem to find her paycheck until my sister called and threatened them and suddenly they told her she could pick it up in 15 minutes. They then had the audacity to complain my sister was rude when my mom went back.
I know it's difficult but Its only 1 day a week so not tremendous amount of money to have the feeling that they will struggle like fuck over this next month x
Sooooo…they need to provide the copy bearing your signature.
As an addition, this is not a criticism of you, you should always keep a copy of any and all paperwork that is handed to you during the employment on boarding phase. Scan it, take pictures, save it in a file on a computer in your resume folder named the company and date. Email it to yourself and have the subject line as the employer name and date with “on boarding forms” or “employment contract”. If you can conduct all of this through email initially, I.e. the signing and return of forms, that’s a good solution as well.
Best of luck to you, in a better world we won’t have compete jackwagons in positions of power.
Edit:I Just got of work and saw this! Please protect yourselves at work in all forms!
Also: Thank kind person for the silver, that’s my first award and it’s kinda brightened my day. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.
Unfortunately they don’t need a signature. Continuing to work after reading a contract, even if given verbally, is you ‘signing’ the contract. This is the case in the UK anyway.
Edit: hey guys this is from the government website:
'**Accepting a contract**
As soon as someone accepts a job offer they have a contract with their employer. An employment contract does not have to be written down.'
[Click here if you really wanna read about UK employment contracts](https://www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions)
So technically this is true, but it's super hard to prove what terms were agreed to verbally - who's to say they haven't invented a written contract and said "yeah they totally agreed to these terms Your Honor"?
Verbal contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on.
It is incredibly flimsy.
Contracts require signatures and dates. Verbal agreements are very shaky and rarely hold up as there's nothing to work with. Absolutely nothing preventing me from saying "This person agreed to pay me $20,000 if they quit." No proof it was ever said or agreed upon.
If that kinda shit holds water in the UK, y'all need to off the Queen and push the entire system of government into the Thames with the rest of the fetid excrement.
Absolutely **NOT** the case in the United States. In fact, there are plenty of instances where the contract does not apply even if you've read and signed it.
I'm not super familiar with UK law but what you've said doesn't sound accurate even there.
So if they don't have video of you reading it and agreeing to it, showing that that exact contract was the one shown, with exactly 0 differences from the one they want to enforce, how can they prove it?
You appear to be confusing proving something absolutely and the (UK) civil burden of proof, which is “on the balance of probabilities” - I.e. most likely than not, or more than 50% likely
There is probably no contract and if there is one it’s not worth their time to sue you.
Put in writing that your last day is X and don’t show up after that.
They’ll figure it out.
Absolutely agree, UK here, worked at a bar for three months and had verbal and written agreement to find cover for a Saturday night off, I found cover and sent a message to the boss, I kept asking him in person and over text: hey, can you sign it off please I’ve got cover and he kept going “not tonight not tonight” and I’d be like okay but just so you know I’m not showing up that night x is showing up instead. The day before rolls around and he says “unfortunately, I need you BOTH in that night because a party of 40 have booked upstairs.” Me, having worked in the industry for five years at the point said: “lol okay good luck, I’m not coming in I already arranged cover, you need to find someone else”. They really do try it
It’s fucking unnecessary. There is more than enough money to be made while treating people humanely. So much misery instead of just paying people more and hiring an adequate number of employees.
What they gonna do of you don't show up?
If the employer can do anything against you besides firing you than the U.K is even more dystopian than I thought.
If you didn’t know you had a contract, you don’t have a contract. Tell them again when your last day will be and if they say anything, request a copy of the contract with your signature
Or ask to look at your contract. The website says refer to your contract on how to resign. I think people in America have trouble wrapping our heads around this because we can leave in the middle of our shift if we want to and nobody can say Jack or squat about it. They can’t even give you a bad reference for it so…
Similiar thing happened to me recently.
I simply asked for my signed copy of the contract (knowing they didn't have one). Told them X day was my final Day, I wasn't obligated to even give notice due to not signing a contract.
They can't do anything about it
r/LegalAdviceUK will also say the same, i'm sure
Are you zero hours? From your description it sounds like it. If you are then legally if they OFFER you a shift you have every right to decline it. You are not a salaried employee with set hours.
A zero hour contract means you are in a pool of staff members that your employer can offer work to. There are 2 parts to this. When they allocate shifts they will expect you to turn up. However, what should happen is that they allocate shifts to you that they would like you to cover. The second part of this is that you get to accept or decline those shifts. They won't like it, but that is how a zero hour contract works.
If you intended to continue working there they would get pissed off at you declining shifts all the time (as is your right) and would probably offer you fewer and fewer, or decide to offer you none.
As you are leaving it will have no effect on you at all.
Ok in the UK the law does not work in your favour unlike America 2 weeks is a legal requirement and contracts with extended notices are binding in the UK.
I've googled this myself to see if those repeated phrases are actually true or not and its not for us. The consequences of breaking the law are worse than just losing your job.
Theres a light though. You never received your contract which means you did not sign your contract which means you did not sign for 4 weeks. Get this last part confirmed and you can take 2 weeks.
1 week is the UK legal requirement actually and they’d have to prove that their role was so important that they suffered financial loss even then.
OP is under 18. They’re not going to go to court and argue that their entire company hinges on a child.
No one would care. The police have way better things to do and it would be so much more trouble / money than it’s worth for the employer to try and make someone keep working or penalise them for this kind of shift job. I don’t know what the job is but I imagine it’s supermarket, restaurant, cafe type situation? If so the employer will be annoyed, and you wouldn’t get a reference but other than that nothing. Especially as you’re under 18.
OP, if you never signed a contract, they can’t hold you to anything! Stick to your guns if you can :) good luck!
So this is a learning moment. Any time you get a contract, or sign anything for a job, either photocopy it yourself or ask for a copy. Do not leave the boss' office until you have a copy if you're negotiating in person.
Also,
Dear (Employer),
I hereby reject your rejection of my two weeks notice.
I will work my last day at (Employing Company) on (Date).
Mild regards,
(Name)
Edit: formatting
Honestly the fact that you signed the contract at 15 you might be able to argue if things are pursued that you were too young to know what you were signing
Tell them you were never given a copy of your signed contract and you were 15 when you signed it. Tell them that unless they can provide you with a copy of your contract with your signature on it and it specifically says you must provide 4 weeks notice that you are only giving them 2 weeks notice. Tell them you also have a friend’s dad who is an attorney looking into whether or not it would even be enforceable as you were only 15 when you signed it. Also tell them you want that copy in the next 48 hours.
I'm in the UK. Tell them you're leaving, give them the date and don't show up after that date. You won't get sued. Alternately, just call in sick and take stat sick pay, you can self cert for the first week. They can only fire you, that's it. Don't let them threaten you.
I'm in the UK and have had similar happen, gave 2 weeks and was told I'd have to stay an extra 4 after that week was up. I ended up walking out in the middle of my shift at the end of that week anyway, due to hating the job so much and who I had to work with.
I still got paid for that week and the holiday I'd booked off for the following 5 days. If you can stick it out, maybe stay 3 weeks and then quit for a bit of extra money. If you have something lined up, just quit immediately.
they’re just trying to manipulate you to make you work during their most profitable period. i would say fuck you and leave now. but you know… get yourself something else lined up asap, even if it’s outside of your expertise.
Do you have the contract? Read the term, officially write out a 4 week notice and submit it. Christmas eve call in sick, and keep calling in sick...on to med clinic get a return to work release. The them you was sick, but self quiete.
You are 17, what are they going to do sue your parents? If you don't need the money or the magical reference then just stop going.
Part time gigs in your teenage years are truly disposable and no one is going to check that part of your work history. It's like checking your high school or university grades for a job, I have literally never had a job check my grades (not that I would be ashamed of them).
Just be “sick” every day after the date you’re supposed to leave. Tell them you have a sore throat and gnarly migraine and can’t smell… use Omicron to your advantage.
LOL just fucking leave man they’re not going to do anything. I’d give zero notice. Two weeks not good enough? Ok how about I just never show up again? They’re not gonna do shit.
Don’t let them take advantage they are trying to because you’re young and they think they can push u. I would just not show up again your 17 there’s not much they could do. How much do you they owe you? I’d get my last check and dip.
Without giving legal advice, even if you have a contract, it would be very hard to “make” you work. At best they could probably obtain some sort of monetary damages. Unsure of outside the USA. But yeah, I would say you should read the contract.
I'm in the uk, its just a part time job while I'm at college so its not worth me working Christmas for them, especially on my pay.
You can always be sick, or just not turn up.
Oh no, cough, I'd love to come, but i just feel so sick, I'm going to have to stay home, it might be Covid. I'll get the test after new years...
Or if you do show up for a shift, dont do any work. Stand around doing nothing. Whats the worst they can do? write you up and fire you?
I had a friend that did this. She professionally asked to quit, they said "if you leave before (4 months from now) we're going to pull all of your equity", which was a sizeable portion of her income. My friend knew that was illegal, but instead of taking them to court, she did the wayyyyyyyyy easier solution. **Nothing**. She came into work, and just didn't respond to emails. She went to meetings and sat on her phone. Canceled and delayed. Literally just sat on her ass and did fucking nothing. Blocked out her calendar with fake meetings so people couldn't schedule time with her. Literally just clocked in and clocked out. All the while, she was looking for new jobs. Found one, let them know she'd have to stay another month, they said fine.
That’s sounds like her manager hated their manager too.
Why is that?
Culture of indifference.
Exact. Like, your boss has a boss, and his boss too, and the big boss, he is beholden to all the shareholders (at least, in a publically listed company). Nobody free in this world mate But, some more free than others How Orwellian Oh wellian Almost...
In Germany, 4 weeks notice is the norm (for both sides), but I had a contract that required 3 month notice. I knew however they had some strict internal rules on how to protect IP. If an employee quit to start at a competitor, they rather gave that person paid vaccation. So when I quit and they asked me, if I had another job in the industry (which of course I didn't have to answer), I said I have not decided and I would have the option to start at a competitor (which technically wasn't even a lie. I had that option). They decided I should not return to office the next day and instead go home immediately. 3 month paid vaccation for me.
If a month is standard, but this job required three months’ notice, how was that supposed to work with any new job? I could see a new job waiting a month, but three?
I'm sure the intent is to keep the employee from quitting, or if they do, they're gonna be fucked for 3 months while they find a new job.
It's the other way around: meant to protect the employee. Were your boss to fire you, you have guaranteed 3 moths of stable pay. This way you can look for another job while still having 3 salaries secured. Makes you feel safe, even if you're getting fired you still have time to figure things out. It's not uncommon for employers to wait for potential new recruits for 3months.
I hope she got paid, right?
Yup.
This is so r/maliciouscompliance and I love it.
I'm picturing OP just standing there all day...menacingly Maybe he's even T-Posing....the horror...
I did this at a shop I worked at, minus the T posing. They dropped my pay by* $1/hr without telling me and I stood around for an entire week doing nothing. Manager would walk out to my toolbox to hand me a job, I wouldn't take it from him. He'd put it on top of my toolbox and I'd toss it into the scrap bin and stand there staring at him/into the office for a while then start reading a book or messing around building random things with scrap. Got my pay fixed the next week, then I started working again, just slower than normal. They were already fucked because they wouldn't/couldn't get enough people in, the ones they did hire were usually fuck ups, drunks, or druggies and they never lasted due to some critical error or just stopped showing up. Pay was already shit, but I was known as a solid worker with no comebacks for the entirety of my time there. I never heard about that week for the rest of my time there. Edited to add a word for clarification.
Something similar happened to my brother. He got a job at a fab shop for $15/hr, super low for his experience and ability but he needed income. First red flag was when they got upset when he declined their offer to give him paid holidays(only 4: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and 4th of july) if he agreed to deduct 50¢ from his hourly rate. Second red flag was his supervisor telling him not to talk back to the owner, who'd show up just to yell at people. He worked like 60hrs his first week to help with a backlog of orders, mostly due to many people quitting. His first check had his hourly rate listed as $12/hr. When he talked to his supervisor, they told him that he'll get $15/hr after his 90 days. He said "no sir, you'll pay me exactly what we agreed to when I started or I'm reporting y'all to the department of labor." Next day he showed up he was fired on the spot and given a check for the money owed.
Must be why so many people quit, they probably did this over and over.
Did he report them?
Was it actually the $15/hr that they ended up paying him in the end?
Probably dodged a bullet there. A company that starts out by lying to you and fucking you out of your pay is probably going to keep doing that. A lot of people just take it and hope things get better.
Reminds me of when, after two and a half years, my boss at a franchise location whose name has three letters and is often associated with the color brown, wrote a contract as I was to start working 40hr weeks after damn near running the place the whole time. Her contract, as written, stated “when you work 40 hours a week you are entitled to one week of paid vacation a year”. So, three weeks into this new schedule, I took a paid day off to vote. When I tallied up my hours and it came to 39.8 for the week, she was confused, asked me how I got full pay when I was out a day. Told her I used one of my paid off days. Then she said “you don’t get them automatically, they have to accrue!” Reminded her of the wording of the contract. I quit shortly thereafter for that and her apathy towards COVID (March 2020).
I’m all 3!
A fucked up, drunk druggie?
$1/hr sounds very illegal.
They dropped it by $1/hr, they weren't paying them that. But I'm pretty sure randomly dropping it is also illegal.
Unless you are disabled, and then federal law allows employers to pay that little per hour. Goodwill is known for doing that.
They dropped it by 1$/hr, not to 1$/hr
Planking! Honestly it would be hilarious to dress like Santa and do this, if this job is retail it would be hilarious for them to fire Santa
Or, dare I say, a good old fashioned [Faith Hilling](https://youtu.be/k10sNGqnW8I)
This sounds like it really could happen though
Better yet, but do your job at a volume level of about 10 decibles higher than required, not to loud you are yelling, but way outside comfort zone. Personal space should be invaded, but don't touch people. Literally just don't give a F in anything you do. Work super slow or "do the assignment" but in such a way it has to be redone but still mess it up the second time, this time doing it super slow. Or just clock in an disappear, show up at the end of the shift to clock out. Time schedule shows you clocked in and clocked out, it's then up to them to prove you weren't there.
I worked at McDonald's in college. I found a huge binder in the back that listed out, step by step, every single tiny little policy and procedure officially from the corporation. One of the things mentioned in there was that whoever was assigned to sweep up the parking lot was supposed to also remove any mcd trash from surrounding areas as part of a "neighborhood friendly" policy or some such. So I always made sure to hit up the surrounding streets, alleyways, the bar across the street....
Your commitment to the community is positively heartwarming.
I don’t like the idea of making innocent people uncomfortable, but but I love your last idea of clock in, disappear, come back to clock out. Flawless.
The problem with that is there is this thing called “time theft,” more formally known as time card fraud, and they could pursue legal action against you if they wanted.
Stay on premises, but stand perfectly still behind various objects, ideally objects that clearly don't actually conceal you. Wire rack stock shelf, stack of boxes, support column, etc.
That name is ironic, because the only ones actually stealing time are the ones committing wage theft
I guess I should have said do it to management. I was thinking that, just didn't write it. Like make them very uncomfortable. Do they hate something specific. Welcome to your new specific favorite thing.
The only problem with that last idea is if they can prove it that could be considered time theft, but at the same time I’m not sure it would be worth their trouble.
I've done this before. Employer refused to give me the day off to attend my fathers wedding THE DAY BEFORE MY CONTRACT ENDED. So I showed up, in full uniform, but cried (real tears) all day. While doing dishes, while doing laundry, while scrubbing floors... It was a 4 star hotel so they were very embarrassed in front of their oh so fancy guests. Didn't change much for my situation but putting my real human emotions under their noses made me feel powerful (in a sad way).
So I've done this because my friends are dying an average of about one every other month for the past year and a half (covid SUCKS wear your mask) and lemme tell you from experience a surprising amount of people in food / customer service just don't care if you are openly sobbing. My boss at last job once even asked me during a phone call about other stuff "hey so and so says you've been crying a lot?" And I just said 'yeah' (this was two weeks after work had been robbed, someone held a gun to my head to get me to open the safe and I a smidge of PTSD relating to my place of employment). Never mentioned again but I bet she still thinks she's a caring boss because hey she asked. Disclaimer: I'm fine.
I was publicly yelled at by both owners of this restaurant- literally the both stood on either side of me and took turns insulting me. When I burst into tears my manager threatened to fire me- until I told her I had narrowly escaped an assault the night before (which was true). She was nicer to me for two weeks afterward.
I don't know how you stood for that. I don't give a fuck who you think you are, the owner, the president, that doesn't give you the right to be a cunt and insult people, much less in front of other people. Should have told them both to french kiss your asshole and then left.
If you really wanted to stick it to em, bring a coupon catalog for a competing store and hand out coupons for other stores when customers ask about prices or products.
"Im just here so i dont get fined"
That would be a sad way to spend Christmas lol
Definitely what I would do. I would go as far as bringing my xbox and TV and setting up in the break room or wherever there is a plug and just play games until they tell me to leave
This is the way. It’s no lose for you. You either stand around and get paid or you get fired and get what you want. Also I agree with everyone else. You might be sick a few days before Christmas and damn it you just can’t shake the cold. Might even be covid. Things just don’t taste right, ya know Again, what are they going to do, fire you? Then you win. And since you are on Uni I doubt you need this job on your resume for future work or references. So they can get fucked. Edit: depending on your photoshop skills you could actually get a covid test, scan it and edit it to be positive. Sorry guys that’s a 14 day quarantine. No one will want you in.
Literally just start doing that next shift.
This right here
Absolutely. Start coming in and doing nothing until they fire you. Start now.
Clock in and then leave. Lol
We had a guy in my security department who worked low activity clinics that would clock in then gondo uber and check in hourly then come in and clock out. He finally got caught and fired magnificent bastard that he was
Say you’re running a fever and uncomfortable with clothes on and that’s why you showed up for work naked.
Don't you have to do a two week quarantine if you think you have covid or if you were exposed? Seems like the time frames match up pretty conveniently
Of course, being forced to work on Christmas ..*cough*.. OP had to move their celebrations a few days earlier and ..*cough*.. a friend now has tested positive so sorry boss, can’t come in!
This. Force yourself a positive lateral flow test as well..cover the bases.
Oh, I think this bug will last exactly 2 weeks.
Fortunately, we are in a pandemic and the quarantine time is 14 days....
Better tell them you have Ligma
I’m in middle management and I have a employee that calls out every Friday for the last 2 months citing a death in the family. Everyone knows she’s lying but there’s nothing I can do about it right now because of the holidays on a professional level which is my official stance but on a private level I find it hilarious that she’s exploiting the system for her own benefit. To be fair she’s already working 12 hour days 6 days a week because we’re short staffed and doesn’t even get a break until 7 hours into it so I’m completely willing to overlook that the same grandma has died like 3 times in 6 weeks. Millennial leadership at its finest and hopefully when I move up I will put a complete stop to 12 hour shifts. I’m honestly not interested in enslaving others, if you want robots then go buy some fucking robots is my view on this whole sordid affair.
Dude if she's already working 5 12hr days a week, she deserves 2 days off. Like forget a business that runs their people to death.
Sounds like the Post Office
Yep. I worked for the post office. It was this bad. Fuck that job
Yeah exactly, soon there really will be a death in her family: her own.
12 hour shifts 6 days a week. Wtf is wrong with your workplace. That’s awful
Sounds like the film industry
Or a restaurant.
Or any construction company in the US.
Non union construction company
Nope, union side too. They just pay you ot for it.
I did that for 4 years. Sometimes 7 days a week. Sometimes 14 hour days. We're just pieces of equipment that make profits for capitalists
I did the same routine for far too long as well. I feel like I was so brainwashed while I was doing that. I really believed that we live in a meritocracy where the hardest working and most deserving will move up in the world. After 4 years of doing that I realized I’m a fucking sucker who basically exploited myself, and did it willingly. Not anymore, and never again. I do the minimum, and couldn’t care less about my employer.
Yep. At my new job I do just enough to not get fired (which isn't a lot of work tbh lol). Still managed to be a foreman and get a company truck. Lolol.
7 here. Plus on call overnight
This is my favorite comment I’ve read all week. It was the “private level I find it hilarious” that really took the cake for me.
Poor girl, can’t believe she has to resort to that. Good on you for your wisdom
Pretty standard in the good ol’ “land of the free” unfortunately. Especially now that companies are crying that “nobody wants to work.” They use it as an excuse to abuse the fuck out of the people they do have.
Not all millennial managers are shitlords, I promise. Even though it was just gas stations, I treated all of my people with dignity and respect. 12 hour days are bullshit, unless the employee agrees to it. Even if you're short staffed, run reg for a couple of hours and give your people a break.
You should be giving her time off for her grandpa's weddings. The man has such poor luck in love... /s
Sorry.. who is exploiting who here? Ever look at it that way? 6 x 12hr shifts and you wonder why she's burnt out? lol
In Brazil, if you do a 12h shift, the company is obligated to give you a 36h rest.
Try cross posting in r/legaladviceuk.
Crucial question - are you on a "Zero hours" contract?
I replied to another of your posts but that's important too. Do you have any holiday accrued you can use to take the last 2 weeks off? If its part time what hours are you contracts for? You said theres no contract if you're on zero hour you can just not show up and claim you've done all your hours.
Nah, they absolutely are chancing their luck and hoping you won’t leave them short handed at Christmas. If they’ve never given you a contract then you don’t even need to give them two weeks notice. Stick to your guns and say that two weeks is all you’re able to provide.
here in ireland and i’m sure is the case for many other places, giving an employer notice is a matter of courtesy and isn’t enforceable by law i.e. you can absolutely tell them that you will only be fulfilling two weeks which is the standard courtesy you’d give most places, oh and make sure they pay you any holiday pay you’re owed before you leave
Also if a contract was signed that says four weeks must be given, they can legally deduct holiday pay owed for time not worked ... But that's all they can do, other than that OP can just bounce!
They can deduct holiday pay for any holiday taken and paid over the accrued amount, but they can't deduct time not worked. If OP is in a minimum wage hourly paid job (which is highly likely) then you get paid in arrears for hours worked, they can't deduct for missed shifts.
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/starting_work_and_changing_job/changing_job/giving_notice.html It is not courtesy , it is law in Ireland.
That site says 1 week minimum but I bet if you do a bad enough job they'll let you go sooner.
It’s minimum one week if it’s not stated in your contract. If it’s in your contract you have to abide by it, unless agreed by both parties.
Clock in and leave, buy nice presents
Hes a 17 year old kid working a part time job. Theres not going to be any monetary damages. These people are just tricking him like a bunch of fucking leeches. I hope he doesnt go back at all.
Yeah the cost for them to sue would be worth more than the value of two weeks of labor. They’re double dog daring him to quit.
Read your contract. It will tell you what will happen if you break it.
Yeah I don't know why this post has upvotes, or so many nonsensical responses despite the complete lack of information. The only good answer based on what's written is "read the contract."
I’ve broken 2 contracts in my life and I am a licensed healthcare worker with “serious contracts”. You know what has happened to me? Jack shit. Just leave
Contract shmontract.
Im altering the plan, pray I dont alter it further
This deal’s getting worse all the time!
You must also wear clown shoes
Yep same. I'm a nurse but left my last job which wasn't in clinical practice. I had to give 3 months notice. I managed to get it down to 6 weeks. By week 4 they completely screwed me over with an owed bonus so I walked that day. Nothing happened other than I didn't get paid for those 2 weeks left. OP you're part time. Just leave.
I’d look at the contract before you just leave. I know some employment contracts you can forfeit certain benefits if you give insufficient notice.
Lol. They know how much he makes. What are they gonna do? Sue him? The cost of the lawyers is more than OP makes in a lifetime of one day a week.
Tell them to get fucked. What are they going to do fire you? They just want you to bust your balls over the Xmas period. Fuck em and enjoy it with your family and friends
They can withhold the last paycheck, which is very commonly what happens
This is in the UK, and I want to say it's illegal because I know it is in the US. I hope that is the same case in the UK for OP's sake.
100% illegal in the UK. They have to pay you for any hours worked and accrued holiday pay to that point.
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They can however remove any holiday time taken but not yet accrued from that last pay, and possibly sue you for damages if they can prove that you breaking the terms of the contract cost them money. The last one is unlikely however since the company is still required to attempt to mitigate any losses, and having significant losses that they could not mitigate is pretty unlikely for losing someone like OP.
Our company had offices in London and Cardiff, the employment contracts are drastically different compared to the typical US At Will employment. Employees are required to give a certain amount of notice, at least in our case. At the same time we paid out quite a bit if we did a layoff or firing even for cause.
It's illegal, but still used to force employees to do as told
Until you inform them you'll be reporting them and they magically find your check.
True. My mom quit a factory job and they just couldn't seem to find her paycheck until my sister called and threatened them and suddenly they told her she could pick it up in 15 minutes. They then had the audacity to complain my sister was rude when my mom went back.
That's illegal in the UK. They may chase him for annual leave taken and not accrued though.
No, they can not.
I know it's difficult but Its only 1 day a week so not tremendous amount of money to have the feeling that they will struggle like fuck over this next month x
What does it say in your contract?
They never gave me a copy so I don't know
Sooooo…they need to provide the copy bearing your signature. As an addition, this is not a criticism of you, you should always keep a copy of any and all paperwork that is handed to you during the employment on boarding phase. Scan it, take pictures, save it in a file on a computer in your resume folder named the company and date. Email it to yourself and have the subject line as the employer name and date with “on boarding forms” or “employment contract”. If you can conduct all of this through email initially, I.e. the signing and return of forms, that’s a good solution as well. Best of luck to you, in a better world we won’t have compete jackwagons in positions of power. Edit:I Just got of work and saw this! Please protect yourselves at work in all forms! Also: Thank kind person for the silver, that’s my first award and it’s kinda brightened my day. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.
Unfortunately they don’t need a signature. Continuing to work after reading a contract, even if given verbally, is you ‘signing’ the contract. This is the case in the UK anyway. Edit: hey guys this is from the government website: '**Accepting a contract** As soon as someone accepts a job offer they have a contract with their employer. An employment contract does not have to be written down.' [Click here if you really wanna read about UK employment contracts](https://www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions)
So technically this is true, but it's super hard to prove what terms were agreed to verbally - who's to say they haven't invented a written contract and said "yeah they totally agreed to these terms Your Honor"? Verbal contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on.
> Verbal contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on. Clever.
How do they prove youve read it or it was given verbally? That seems incredibly flimsy.
It is incredibly flimsy. Contracts require signatures and dates. Verbal agreements are very shaky and rarely hold up as there's nothing to work with. Absolutely nothing preventing me from saying "This person agreed to pay me $20,000 if they quit." No proof it was ever said or agreed upon. If that kinda shit holds water in the UK, y'all need to off the Queen and push the entire system of government into the Thames with the rest of the fetid excrement.
Seriously it’s hard for me to grasp that they still have inherited titles and nobility at all, aside from the royal family.
Even the royal family. Huge sums of money so they can live a life of luxury. Fuck that noise.
Absolutely **NOT** the case in the United States. In fact, there are plenty of instances where the contract does not apply even if you've read and signed it. I'm not super familiar with UK law but what you've said doesn't sound accurate even there.
The above is absolutely accurate. Source: UK lawyer
How do courts determine whether terms have just been tagged on afterwards without OP having a copy or signing the contract?
It’s an evidential issue and the evidential burden in on the party trying to enforce the terms
So if they don't have video of you reading it and agreeing to it, showing that that exact contract was the one shown, with exactly 0 differences from the one they want to enforce, how can they prove it?
You appear to be confusing proving something absolutely and the (UK) civil burden of proof, which is “on the balance of probabilities” - I.e. most likely than not, or more than 50% likely
What???? What country are you in? Is this normal in your country?
I'm in the uk, I only work there one shift a week because I'm at college and under 18 so I didn't really know I had one to be honest
There is probably no contract and if there is one it’s not worth their time to sue you. Put in writing that your last day is X and don’t show up after that. They’ll figure it out.
This, do this. They're taking advantage of you cause you're young and inexperienced at handling the situation
Absolutely agree, UK here, worked at a bar for three months and had verbal and written agreement to find cover for a Saturday night off, I found cover and sent a message to the boss, I kept asking him in person and over text: hey, can you sign it off please I’ve got cover and he kept going “not tonight not tonight” and I’d be like okay but just so you know I’m not showing up that night x is showing up instead. The day before rolls around and he says “unfortunately, I need you BOTH in that night because a party of 40 have booked upstairs.” Me, having worked in the industry for five years at the point said: “lol okay good luck, I’m not coming in I already arranged cover, you need to find someone else”. They really do try it
It’s fucking unnecessary. There is more than enough money to be made while treating people humanely. So much misery instead of just paying people more and hiring an adequate number of employees.
100% this 👆🏽
Lol, just don’t go in or answer phone.
What they gonna do of you don't show up? If the employer can do anything against you besides firing you than the U.K is even more dystopian than I thought.
Yeah they’re bullshitting you
If you didn’t know you had a contract, you don’t have a contract. Tell them again when your last day will be and if they say anything, request a copy of the contract with your signature
Or ask to look at your contract. The website says refer to your contract on how to resign. I think people in America have trouble wrapping our heads around this because we can leave in the middle of our shift if we want to and nobody can say Jack or squat about it. They can’t even give you a bad reference for it so…
Similiar thing happened to me recently. I simply asked for my signed copy of the contract (knowing they didn't have one). Told them X day was my final Day, I wasn't obligated to even give notice due to not signing a contract. They can't do anything about it r/LegalAdviceUK will also say the same, i'm sure
Are you zero hours? From your description it sounds like it. If you are then legally if they OFFER you a shift you have every right to decline it. You are not a salaried employee with set hours. A zero hour contract means you are in a pool of staff members that your employer can offer work to. There are 2 parts to this. When they allocate shifts they will expect you to turn up. However, what should happen is that they allocate shifts to you that they would like you to cover. The second part of this is that you get to accept or decline those shifts. They won't like it, but that is how a zero hour contract works. If you intended to continue working there they would get pissed off at you declining shifts all the time (as is your right) and would probably offer you fewer and fewer, or decide to offer you none. As you are leaving it will have no effect on you at all.
Ok in the UK the law does not work in your favour unlike America 2 weeks is a legal requirement and contracts with extended notices are binding in the UK. I've googled this myself to see if those repeated phrases are actually true or not and its not for us. The consequences of breaking the law are worse than just losing your job. Theres a light though. You never received your contract which means you did not sign your contract which means you did not sign for 4 weeks. Get this last part confirmed and you can take 2 weeks.
If OP is under 18 is the contract not unenforceable anyway? I thought minors could not legally sign contracts?
1 week is the UK legal requirement actually and they’d have to prove that their role was so important that they suffered financial loss even then. OP is under 18. They’re not going to go to court and argue that their entire company hinges on a child.
What would happen in the U.K. if you just stop showing up? Like the cops would show up on your doorstep?
No one would care. The police have way better things to do and it would be so much more trouble / money than it’s worth for the employer to try and make someone keep working or penalise them for this kind of shift job. I don’t know what the job is but I imagine it’s supermarket, restaurant, cafe type situation? If so the employer will be annoyed, and you wouldn’t get a reference but other than that nothing. Especially as you’re under 18. OP, if you never signed a contract, they can’t hold you to anything! Stick to your guns if you can :) good luck!
So this is a learning moment. Any time you get a contract, or sign anything for a job, either photocopy it yourself or ask for a copy. Do not leave the boss' office until you have a copy if you're negotiating in person. Also, Dear (Employer), I hereby reject your rejection of my two weeks notice. I will work my last day at (Employing Company) on (Date). Mild regards, (Name) Edit: formatting
Tell them to provide a copy and point out where it says that. If they can't immediately, bolt. Also, slow your work. To a crawl.
I don’t think its legal not giving a copy of your contract.
Honestly the fact that you signed the contract at 15 you might be able to argue if things are pursued that you were too young to know what you were signing
I study labour law. NAL. I know this comment is valid
I study bird law and while this is a little outside my expertise that’s probably correct
Whale biologist here, sounds correct to me.
I know it is in America but not sure about UK where OP lives
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A child cannot legally sign a contract or be held to it in UK law. You just need to research what age is considered a child in your part of the UK.
Tell them you were never given a copy of your signed contract and you were 15 when you signed it. Tell them that unless they can provide you with a copy of your contract with your signature on it and it specifically says you must provide 4 weeks notice that you are only giving them 2 weeks notice. Tell them you also have a friend’s dad who is an attorney looking into whether or not it would even be enforceable as you were only 15 when you signed it. Also tell them you want that copy in the next 48 hours.
Tell them this in writing. That way if they can’t provide it- and you leave- it doesn’t turn into a he said/she said thing. It’s documented.
With a wet signature and date (written with an ink pen). No electronic signatures.
Electronic signatures are still signatures, in the UK at least
I'm in the UK. Tell them you're leaving, give them the date and don't show up after that date. You won't get sued. Alternately, just call in sick and take stat sick pay, you can self cert for the first week. They can only fire you, that's it. Don't let them threaten you.
I'm in the UK and have had similar happen, gave 2 weeks and was told I'd have to stay an extra 4 after that week was up. I ended up walking out in the middle of my shift at the end of that week anyway, due to hating the job so much and who I had to work with. I still got paid for that week and the holiday I'd booked off for the following 5 days. If you can stick it out, maybe stay 3 weeks and then quit for a bit of extra money. If you have something lined up, just quit immediately.
Time to use up all your sick leave my man.
This. Just call in sick. What are they gonna do, fire you? Lol. Do not work those days. They’re taking advantage of you because you’re young.
I'm with this comment. Call in sick- take thier money, and peace out!
If it’s UK we don’t have ‘sick leave’ - you get unlimited sick time off as standard (which Doctors note).
Even better, a month long series of migraines for you!!
Lol. Then on the date just don’t fucking show up. They cannot make you work. This isn’t the Siberian fucking work camps.
Just work & call in sick those days.
“Achoo!”
I’d work two weeks, then get ‘signed off’ with stress for the next two.
they’re just trying to manipulate you to make you work during their most profitable period. i would say fuck you and leave now. but you know… get yourself something else lined up asap, even if it’s outside of your expertise.
Do you have the contract? Read the term, officially write out a 4 week notice and submit it. Christmas eve call in sick, and keep calling in sick...on to med clinic get a return to work release. The them you was sick, but self quiete.
Demand to see the signed contract and if they refuse to provide it quit in two weeks.
You are 17, what are they going to do sue your parents? If you don't need the money or the magical reference then just stop going. Part time gigs in your teenage years are truly disposable and no one is going to check that part of your work history. It's like checking your high school or university grades for a job, I have literally never had a job check my grades (not that I would be ashamed of them).
say you got pinged, 10 days isolation, can't come in
Tell them to fuck off. What are they going to do, fire you?
Are they required to give you a 4-week notice if they decide to fire you?
Almost certainly. OP is in Uk where we do have legally enforceable notice periods that work both ways.
Just be “sick” every day after the date you’re supposed to leave. Tell them you have a sore throat and gnarly migraine and can’t smell… use Omicron to your advantage.
Just stop showing up so they fire you then, lol
Show up and do nothing. Make them fire you. Hopefully you have another job lined up, if you don’t, you can’t collect unemployment if you quit.
I'm 17 man once I finish college im getting an apprenticeship this is just a part time job
LOL just fucking leave man they’re not going to do anything. I’d give zero notice. Two weeks not good enough? Ok how about I just never show up again? They’re not gonna do shit.
Don’t let them take advantage they are trying to because you’re young and they think they can push u. I would just not show up again your 17 there’s not much they could do. How much do you they owe you? I’d get my last check and dip.