Most job postings and managers will say they can be flexible and they offer flexible schedules, but that mostly is regarding the employee’s end of the bargain.
Here’s my personal example. I’d say 70-80% of my schedule is filling into for other people who are off or called off. And I’ve always been very flexible and willingly to take other shifts. But now it appears to my own detriment. Couple months ago, I was scheduled to work 11am-7pm one day; before my shift I had to take my wife to the airport. Two days before, my manager says she needs me to fill in at 4am-noon that day, and I say I can’t because I already had plans to take my wife to the airport that morning at 7am. She seemed a little flustered at first since I’ve always been very flexible, but appears to ultimately understood.
Boy was I wrong. The next week, she calls me into her office and said the “higher ups” and her didn’t like me saying I couldn’t adjust my schedule last week. She said that they said taking my wife to the airport is not a good enough excuse, and you’re expected to adjust when you don’t have anything else going on. I was honestly so shocked that I didn’t say anything when she stopped talking and just hastily agreed for now so I could leave before quitting on impulse. I was mainly shocked how most of my schedule is filling in for others and never said a word to me, but the first time I can’t, the managers take notice.
Currently searching for a new opportunity now because that was a step too far for me. I know the industry I’m in can be hectic and people work all kinds of wild hours, but I greatly value work-life balance, and I’m simply not getting that.