Just to be potentially fired because the job falsely advertised schedule flexibility.
For context I recently quit my job at a dog kennel and daycare because the animals weren’t properly cared for and most of the dogs in the daycare were either super scared and stressed and/or about to snap. It was incredibly difficult to watch everyday and not worth the hourly rate especially when my boss picked on me a lot and people around me doing the same job were making way more than me. It was also made pretty clear that the boss was firing people he thought weren’t up to his outrageous standards and I was most likely next on the list.
I’m lucky enough to have the option to quit for the most part but I still need some income so I’ve been job searching. I haven’t had much luck so I find myself applying at my nearby chain grocery store because they heavily advertise flexible hours. I have autism and disclose it during my interview because I wanted to make it clear I have some trouble communicating with people sometimes and I also wanted to discuss accommodations regarding hours at some point.
I find it’s easier for me to adjust to a new job if my hours are gradually increased so it’s not like a 180 to me. I understand it’s a grocery store so it’s not supposed to be a nice job but they advertise flexible hours and they were okay with my autism. I made it clear on my online application and in person that I wouldn’t work weekends and could only work 2-3 days a week, my personal/private reason being that I only need a little bit of income and I know if I work any more than that my depression and mental health will worsen and I won’t be able to do my job.
I tried discussing my hours but they said I should do the training and then the schedule would be discussed during orientation. The manager was incredibly busy and I didn’t want to be rude or anything so I said okay. I figure that I put my availability in my application, so it should be fine. So after 8 hours of online training with their crap pc and barely functioning website doing hours of lessons repeating the same information I finally get to orientation the next day and they tell me that not working weekends and only being able to work 2-3 days isn’t gonna work.
Despite that they already scheduled me for 35 hours this week including tomorrow and next weekend. My first scheduled shift is tomorrow but I cannot contact the manager in charge of scheduling because it’s their day off. I’ve left a voicemail but I’ve been told by other employees there isn’t really anything else I can do. I feel like I’ve been set up for failure.
They advertise flexible hours but expect you to work nearly full time and you need 3 weeks notice to request a day off. It is absolutely ridiculous, I understand why everyone there always looks so miserable. I feel like I should’ve known but the manager seemed really nice and made it seem like the job was pretty flexible. I don’t know what I’m going to do if I get fired since I still need income. If I give in then I know I’ll eventually break down and be fired so I feel like either option is a loss.
It’s so awful how they advertise flexible hours when in reality it’s the opposite and they only reveal that after 8 hours of training. I’ve been told I would be paid for it but we’ll see. I just can’t believe that they can get away with this. A huge waste of everyone’s time.
For reference there is written documentation of me disclosing my autism if that is important at all. I also apologize for any weird formatting with this post, I only have access to mobile so I tried to make it readable on here. Thanks for reading any any advice you may have!