Full disclosure: I am a manager, but am sympathetic to the cause.
I was reading through the comments on the post about text/call for calling out, and I came across a comment saying something to the effect of “it is never your (employee’s) responsibility to find a replacement.” Maybe it’s because I grew up with the policy in place, and now am required to uphold that policy, but I’m not sure I understand (even though I agree.) Respectfully, WHY is it not the employee’s responsibility? Sure, it makes sense for salaried positions, but my job is all shift work. Even I (as management on shift work) am required to find a sub if I’m sick or want off. Plus, we operate with only “critical operations staffing” each day (aka if one shift isn’t filled we are understaffed.)
The lines I’ve been handed when I’ve asked are all about teaching personal responsibility (we employ mostly high school students who are on their first or second ever jobs.) It is my job as management to find INITIAL coverage for the shifts. Once you are assigned, you are responsible for the shift. I have done my job at that point. If you would like to alter the schedule, YOU put in the leg work. I can assist and point you in the right direction of staff that may be willing/able to help out, but if you are assigned the shift, you are responsible for it. (Obviously if you’re sick don’t come in, but still please ask around.) While I kind of see where they are coming from, it still smells like a “form letter” answer from up the food chain.
I am hoping to help adjust our policies in the future to be more understanding of this, but it’s tough when I don’t fully get why I believe what I believe. Can anyone help explain this?