I work in a big box retail store. Part timers are required to work 24 hours a week but can work up to 40.
When the business is slow they will schedule part timers 5 days for 5 hour shifts. For the most part the business is busy and most part timers work 30 to 35 hours, even if they only want 24.
The schedule in the break room is public and you see what the are others are working. I've noticed over the past few weeks, that there are about 7 part timers who are working 3 days with 8 hour shifts giving them the 24 hrs they need for the week. I try not to worry about other coworkers but with gas getting high, they are getting the same amount of hours with less days of traveling to work.
This is the part where it gets uncomfortable for me. I've been at the company for years and never had an issue but now it seems that the part timers who are working five days and being required to pick up more hours are white employees.
The 7 employees who get their 24 hours and only work 3 days are all part timers who are black. The scheduling manager is black.
I would like to approach the manager and ask if I can work only 3 8 hour days but I know that two other white employees have in the past and there has been retaliation. 1 of them quit.
I like this job for the most part, the pay is good and it has health care. I am always looking for something else but I would like to address the issue. Any advice or tips on how to do it professionally.