Hi, i need advice about my job

Hi guys I need some advice about how to handle how handle a situation.

I work at a daycare as an assistant teacher. Last month I filled out a time request off form for a day I had made an appointment for my health which hasn’t been good lately and they (as in my boss the director and her co-director) are aware. Especially the co director who I went to detail about my health problems. So I left the form on his desk when I went to their office. They were both were in it, I didn’t hand it directly to the co-director because the two were watching something on the directors computer but I made it aware that I put it there.

Now recently a coworker left due to serious family problems. Since then we been short staffed. Just last week a teacher called out the day of his shift because his sister asked him to take her somewhere and he told my boss his family comes first. And since there was no one else to take his class the co-director took over. Now I am close to the guy who called out, if he got in trouble he would’ve told me.

Now Friday I get next weeks schedule and I see I am working the day I asked off. Now I wasn’t informed that it was denied. So I texted the co-directed asking if he forgot or just didn’t approve the time off, but he ignored my text. Now it’s the next day (today) and he still hasn’t replied. So I texted him and the director saying I am calling out that day of the appointment. This is for my health and I’m putting my health first. Now the co-director still ignores my texts but my director texts me back saying I could get written up because there might not be someone to take my shift. And that just because the paper was left on the desk doesn’t mean it ensures I got the day off. Which I understand. But I think that if it’s going to be denied that person should be informed about it and not let them find out last minute.

As to anyone wondering why I just didn’t ask myself week ago if he approved it, well I forgot. I been so stressed out it’s affecting my health badly, my memory is one of the problems affected by it. Plus the co-director always approves the time off so I didn’t think he wouldn’t this time.

Now this is what is messed up. I am calling out two days in advance why could I possibly get written up when the other coworker hasn’t when he called out the day off his shift? Nor does the other two people who call out all the time over no good reason. And I work in a small building and word about stuff gets around fast, if anyone gets in trouble everyone else would know and I know for a fact no one ever got written up as I was there. So why me? Plus just recently they hired five more people, so I still don’t understand how they might not have someone to take it shift.

My other coworker says legally I can’t get written up unless it’s constant that I call out. And I only called out about three to four times in the six months I been working here, it’s all do to getting sick or hurt.

Do you guys have any advice? Is what my coworker said true? feel free to send links to any gov page about laws and worker rights. I am in NYC. By the way. I been trying to find something to help but can’t so far. And I need it, I know my boss is petty and shady. She will lie to try to get things in her favor. She tends to find people not to like and be unfair towards them. And for some reason I am on that list.

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Comments ( 4 )
  • olderdude-xx

    I cannot speak to all states. But in my state I'd love for your boss to explain to an unemployment commission hearing that they denied you time off to go needed medical appointments - especially when they knew you had health problems.

    That explanation would not fly in my state...

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  • It sounds like they're looking at it like, one employee calls out on short notice, he says he's putting his family first, they're not gonna push that because everyone there probably puts their family first. Then someone quits, the day care becomes short staffed, and they have children they're legally required to take care of and educate and parents asking a million questions. They wanna discourage calling out and oh no, they remember you put in a request and they can't really afford to be short someone for a day, or maybe they planned to let you be off but then felt they had the need to change their mind and this is how they handled it, by saying nothing. They may feel they can verbally dominate you into submission. They may just not feel like being in a classroom

    From the outside looking in, it doesn't seem like they can afford to lose an experienced staff member. Writing you up just motivates you into finding another job.

    If I were to suddenly just gain control over you, I would think about the best way to basically tell them you gave more than a proper notice and that you essentially need the medical care or you won't be working for long. Probably would sit down in front of them across from a desk, a little far away with your legs crossed and your hands holding your knees. Definitely would use a matter-of-fact tone, "I'm going to see my doctor on this day. You can either scramble to make a decision the day of or you can come up with a plan now."

    But I don't really know if that move is in your best interest so I wouldn't officially recommend it. But if you could find another job easily and the wait between checks wouldn't be that big of a deal what do you really have to lose?

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    • GeekyGold

      Hello, I thought the co-director denied my time off because we were short staffed but he could’ve told me sooner. I would’ve understood and rescheduled or compromised about coming in after or before my appointment. But when he chose to ignore my texts I felt like if he’s going to be petty then not to care about if they are “short staff” they just hired more people they can cover me but chose to act like they cant

      And since I know I am on their shit list I already am talking to a friend about helping me get a job at the daycare she works at. It’s just in case they start to change my schedule and reject all the other days I asked off due to appointments.

      Also, they were already looking for someone to fill my spot I know because the people they contacted told me. My other coworkers said if they tell me to sign the write up, to refuse and ask for the contact info of the owner and talk to him about the way their treating me. They said my boss will sing a different tune and if not that, then they will use an excuse to not to give the owners contact info

      Anyways I’m going to ask the co-director to show me all the time request off forms i fill out. Its just to make sure they got it and have not “lost” it. And if he still rejects the days I asked off then I’ll gladly talk to the owner about them trying to prevent me from getting my medical needs. And if something was to happen to me because of them preventing me from seeing a doctor then I would contact the health department or labor idk which one yet

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  • a-curious-bunny

    I mean it'd pretty common practice that pester the hell out of your boss when you need a specific day off. I've had bosses change my schedule without notice after it was posted. I just ignore the change if I have plans. They if you do a good job they just huff and puff and you have to remind them they need to inform you of last minute changes. Irs kinda fun

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