r/whatdoIdo • u/BiancaSatinSky • 5h ago

My shift swap was approved in the app but my manager marked me as a no-show. How do I fix this before it sticks?

I (19M) work part-time at a grocery store, about 20 hours a week while I'm in community college. We use a scheduling app where you can post a shift, someone else picks it up, and then a manager approves it.

Two weeks ago I posted my Saturday 7am to 1pm shift because I had a family thing out of town. A coworker, Jada, picked it up on Wednesday. On Thursday the app showed it as "approved" with my manager's name next to it. I took a screenshot because I'm paranoid like that.

Saturday morning Jada overslept and didn't come in. My manager, Curtis, called me twice while I was on the highway, and on Monday I found out I'd been marked as a no-show. At my store, two no-shows and you're done.

I showed Curtis the screenshot. He said that once a swap is approved, the original person is "still responsible for making sure it's covered." Jada told me she'd tell him it was her fault, but I don't know if she did.

I like this job and I haven't been late once in eight months. I want to fix this without getting Jada in more trouble than she's already in.

What's the best way to bring this to someone above Curtis without it looking like I'm going over his head? Any wording would help a lot.

tl;dr: My Saturday shift swap was approved in the app, my coworker didn't show up, and my manager put the no-show on my record instead of hers.

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

33

u/BiancaSatinSky 5h ago

Our handbook has a whole section on the app. It says once a manager approves a swap, the picked up shift belongs to the new employee. I printed that page last night.

20

u/jacquestrap66 5h ago

Contact HR

3

u/Narrow-Medium-9339 4h ago edited 4h ago

This is the exact thing to do- ask if it’s been recorded against you, if yes, report higher up. If he didn’t report… probably still worth sending an email for “clarification.” Something like “I’m reaching out to see if I’ve misunderstood this rule in the handbook. The way myself and my coworkers read it, it’s saying that once it’s been approved etc etc… Though, our store’s manager said that sole responsibility is on the original employee with the shift. I’ve rarely had to change shifts, so it’s a bit new to me and a situation came up recently that made me feel unsure if my original understanding was correct. Can you clarify this rule, please?”
Upload photo, maybe with name blurred,
if you don’t want it directly back right to him. But also any retaliation he’d try would be VERY negative to him. Company wants to protect themselves- him trying to do anything would risk it, and you’d have the paper trail to show 1. Your good intentions 2. The clarification 3. That he’s been an issue previously.

Edit to add: it’s also unfortunately on Jada for not showing up. It sucks, but it also no longer concerns you. A simple statement with proof of “Jada picked this shift up from me, I have no further knowledge surrounding xyz day from /insert day manager approved in app./“ It’s not throwing Jada under the bus- it’s being rightfully uninvolved. You transferred the shift, confirmed in system. It’s no longer your responsibility. You don’t need to elaborate, nor do you need to explain for anyone else. Keep it chill and factual. “Keep your side of the street clean” is something someone told me once, I think about it often in these situations! Even when texting, think about how each person could read it. A message like above wouldn’t offend Jada. It wouldn’t set of a manager by saying “YOU approved it right here!!” Calm, cool, no emotion, and facts can rarely steer you wrong. ✨

|| except if you’re a woman and cool/non-emotive is “bitchy and cunning” lol ✌🏻 but that’s it’s own issue ||

3

u/Ok-Communication6519 5h ago

Sounds like you have what you need then. If you dont want to do anything about it right now at least keep all the documentation for the future if they try to get you for a second reason.

1

u/Efsaxon 5h ago

Yes! Make sure you keep yourself a copy and a copy of that screenshot. I’d take it straight to management and ask for it to be removed. If they’re not immediately understanding, take it higher up. People saying to take it to HR- be careful. They are not there for you, they’re there to protect the business. Either way your bosses seem a little dumb for not knowing their own policy.

17

u/Candid-Exchange-7147 5h ago

You go over his head and let that person tell him. If he retaliates, then go over his head for that too, fuck it. You can't protect both yourself and Jada, though. She picked up the shift, and then she didn't show up, so it's on her.

16

u/CommunicationNew9520 5h ago

This is Jada’s fault, throw her under the bus where she deserves to be lol

4

u/catsandcauliflower 5h ago

Facts because she sure as shit will throw OP under the bus first if she got the chance!

8

u/StevieOfPhoenix 5h ago

Show it to HR. This should be on Jada. 

6

u/Butter_Tangelo 5h ago

Contact hr. They’re job is to look out for the company. Usually this sucks for you, but in this case works to your advantage since the manager is putting company at risk.

3

u/Rough-Concept-2376 5h ago

Well ur gonna have to choose bud you or Jada. She messed up not you so yea

2

u/UrbanMuffin 5h ago

The shift is no longer yours once someone agrees to it and it’s signed off on. It becomes Jada’s responsibility, not yours. It sounds like you have all the proof for that too.

1

u/forever_hollow80 5h ago

Screen shot everything. Put everything in text.

1

u/SaltWater_Tribe 5h ago

Total bs the manager is wrong ,still u gotta deal with it.The worker who accepts the shift is the one who is a now show .The shift isnt even in your name once they accept it on those type of apps usually

1

u/TrainingApricot8291 5h ago

Screenshot the page that says it’s Jada’s responsibility, keep the paper copy for your records

Email your managers manager or boss and provide all the proof. Lay out the situation factually, do not bring emotion into it. Attach all the proof and screenshots.

-8

u/Jonnyboi5678 5h ago

Manger and you are dorks

4

u/musicalchef1985 5h ago

Why is OP a dork? OP did nothing wrong.

3

u/UrbanMuffin 5h ago

Says Manger guy. Cant even spell…

2

u/TiRow77 5h ago

You're the reason your parents stopped loving each other, they couldn't overcome the disappointment of what they had created together. It's possible they are still together, but make no mistake, they have deep regret and resentment. And it's absolutely because of who you are.