i work in a chain retail store (in california, in case that’s relevant) and i messaged my manager today about 6 hours before my shift letting her know i wasn’t feeling well, and couldn’t come in to work. she told me i need to find coverage, or come in. i asked everyone available if they could cover for me, and not a single person responded. i let my manager know about the situation, and her only response was “sorry, we need the coverage so you’ll need to come in”. so now im on my way to work, with a blinding migraine.
is this..allowed? i’ve never had a job do this before, i’ve always just been able to call out if i need to. this is the second time this exact thing has happened, the last time it happened i had covid and was still told to come in for the day, again because we “need the coverage”.
the whole thing just doesn’t sit well with me. i understand lack of coverage can be difficult, but as an employee (meaning not in any manager/supervisory role) that isn’t something i should have to feel responsible for.