I (25f) work in manufacturing and have for a few years now and I don't get it.
Ever since covid, every company I have worked at has added “Mandatory OT”. It's ranged from 8-10 hours a week to 15-20 hours a week. This is never in the job description or mentioned during your hire-on. Just kind of thrown at you after they've got you roped in far enough that you can't afford to leave.
I sign up for what I can work. That's how that goes.
You're asked about your preferred schedules and shifts when you start, and usually that's a huge reason why people decide on a job in the first place – it fits their preferred or necessary schedule.
I sign up to work 3rd shift, 8 hours a day, M-F.
I have health issues and need the mornings for doctors appointments and such.
My partner works 2nd shift, and so this also allows us to spend a bit of time together each day in the mornings.
But now Somehow my schedule changed against my will and I'm made to work first shift 10 hours a day plus every other weekend. I'm now expected to reorganize my life accordingly or lose my job.
With my health issues, mandatory 10 hour days are a lot for me. And forget ever making a scheduled health appointment without taking a cut from my paystub.
Let alone making time for my relationship with my partner, say goodbye to that one too.
When I take a job, I expect to keep the schedule I sign up for, because I sign up for what I can do.
Companies then don't understand when their “new schedule” conflicts with workers' pre-existing lives.
I can't stand it.