Is there a timeframe associated with an employer demanding a change in a work schedule?
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Is there a timeframe associated with an employer demanding a change in a work schedule?
My direct supervisor came to me on Friday afternoon stating there was a new directive of having specific team members work mandatory Saturdays. I explained to him that I had already scheduled a medical appointment and that I didn’t feel like I could find a sitter within that short window as my wife was already committed to working Saturday as well. Hours later I was handed walking papers stating I had failed to comply with the increased demand for work hours. Can this be fought? The demand just didn’t seem reasonable.
Asked on August 30, 2011 Illinois
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
The fact is, unreasonable or not, an ""at will employer has a great deal of discretion in setting the terms and conditions of employment. Basically, it can hire/fire, promote.demote increase/decrease salary/hours as it deems fit, with or without notice. In turn, an employee can choose to work (or continue to work) for an employer or not.
So unless you have an employment/union agreement to the contrary, or this action violates existing company policy, or is the result of actionable discrimination, your employer has violated no laws. Its actions are perfectly permissible.
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