My husband works FT in a retail store (other details omitted for his privacy and security). I'm in graduate school and also work part-time during regular work week hours. We also have an almost two year old daughter.
He recently started a second PT job a few afternoons a week because he works mornings. He spoke to his store manager about cutting down his hours but still maintaining FT status so he can keep his health insurance- something like 30-32 hours a week. The store manager told him that's not possible because to be full time he has to have “full availability” – I.e. work whenever they want him to for as long as they want. So he's not supposed to have a life outside work? He's just supposed to be at their beck and call 24/7?!
Luckily, his department manager said she'd still give him 30 hours a week. But he's had issues with her, too. When he was hired he specified during his interview that he can only work 1 weekend day each week so that on the other day he can take care of our daughter and I can get my school work done. But several times she's scheduled him to work Saturday and Sunday and he's spoken to her about it multiple times. She scheduled him to work both days last weekend and refused to change it because she was traveling and now he's scheduled to work both days this weekend again because several other workers are traveling. On top of this, she sends the schedule out 1 day maybe 2 in advance.
It doesn't seem like a big ask for them to honor his request for the ONE day a week he can't work. And when he spoke to his manager this last time she said she'd make it up to him by giving him 3 Saturdays off in a row. Excuse me, we asked for him to be off EVERY Saturday (or Sunday, we're willing to be flexible!) Promising 3 Saturdays off is not making it up to him.