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Original poster

Work rotas - is this normal?!

32 replies

Firn · 10/02/2022 18:24

I've had to get a second job, it's in a coffee shop. The rota runs Friday to Thursday but you don't get the weeks rota until the night before!

So for the work week beginning 4th Feb I received it at 11:22PM 3rd Feb. I will have to stay up until this weeks is emailed to me, so I won't know if I'm working tomorrow morning (6am start) until after 11PM.

This is ridiculous, right?

OP posts:
Donkeyinamanger · 10/02/2022 18:28

That does sound ridiculous. I wouldn't want to be up until nearly midnight if I was likely to be expected at work at 6am the next day!

Louisianagumbo · 10/02/2022 18:29

Very ridiculous. Sounds like an extremely disorganised manager.

Ilikewinter · 10/02/2022 18:30

Yes thats utterly ridiculous.....

Jumpingintomenopause · 10/02/2022 18:31

That’s madness.

Lulu1919 · 10/02/2022 18:31

No
I'd want to know a week in advance each week

Mrsbclinton · 10/02/2022 18:32

Thats ridiculous. If you are paid weekly then I would have thought that you should have them a week in advance.

SweetFelicityArkright · 10/02/2022 18:33

Ridiculous, but not uncommon in hospitality unfortunately, it's happened just about everywhere I've worked in hospitality.
It's to keep staffing costs as low as possible because footfall and therefore demand changes due to weather etc, and is also down to bookings (if you take bookings rather than just walk ins) they don't want to have to turn bookings away because they've not got enough staff in and they don't want to have too many staff in if it's a quiet day.

Original poster
Firn · 10/02/2022 18:35

God, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's stupid.

Other jobs I've had that used weekly rotas we got them at least a week in advance. My last one it was done 1 month at a time.

I know other employees have children, how are we supposed to organise child care?

It's stressing me out and has annoyed me TBH.

OP posts:
1FootInTheRave · 10/02/2022 18:36

That's ridiculous.

Original poster
Firn · 10/02/2022 18:39

@SweetFelicityArkright

Ridiculous, but not uncommon in hospitality unfortunately, it's happened just about everywhere I've worked in hospitality. It's to keep staffing costs as low as possible because footfall and therefore demand changes due to weather etc, and is also down to bookings (if you take bookings rather than just walk ins) they don't want to have to turn bookings away because they've not got enough staff in and they don't want to have too many staff in if it's a quiet day.
No bookings. But surely it would just be better to send people home or text before a shift and say they're not needed. 7 hours notice for a 6am start just feels so shitty.
OP posts:
Loopytiles · 10/02/2022 18:40

Poor practice. Would seek a different 2nd job.

swapsicles · 10/02/2022 18:42

Is there a reason they are so late? If it's a chain you need to go above the rota maker to find out why, Hr may not realise it's happening.
Honestly I'd ask now if I was in for the early tomorrow and at least know that days hours, wouldn't stay up late to find out.
We have similar issues at work, rotas are published in advance but changes happen all the time. Just today I was asked to work this Sunday when I was previously off.
In a previous job I wouldn't find out which days I would need childcare until Friday night for the next week thankfully I had an understanding after school club, but part of the reason I left.
Tbh I make appointments/plans(job interviews) for my usual day off and if I'm asked to work then tough, they need to give appropriate notice.

Original poster
Firn · 10/02/2022 18:56

It's an independent.

I've just text my manager and asked if I'm on the early tomorrow and she's immediately replied "haven't finished rotas yet"

Argh!

OP posts:
Woahthehorsey · 10/02/2022 18:56

Yep, ridiculous

CoffeeRunner · 10/02/2022 19:03

It is shit OP.

I used to have similar (although not 11pm!) when I worked for a community care agency. Rotas were Saturday to Friday & collected "from" 2.30pm on Friday. Usually ready at some point nearer 5pm when you could discover you needed to be at your first call by 6.30am next morning.

Shit for planning any sort of family arrangements /childcare. I just used to assume I was working & it was a pleasant surprise if I wasn't.

SweetFelicityArkright · 10/02/2022 19:09

No bookings. But surely it would just be better to send people home or text before a shift and say they're not needed. 7 hours notice for a 6am start just feels so shitty.

Yeah, it is shitty especially when you might be required early the next day, I don't agree with short notice either way, cancelling people at the last minute or sending them home is crap too especially if they've arranged and paid for childcare etc.
It's horrible the way some employers treat their employees and that they expect full loyalty and yet are unwilling to reciprocate.

NotMyselfWithoutCoffee · 10/02/2022 19:13

Get another job, not worth the stress.

FordSiesta · 10/02/2022 19:32

This is so bad, I would look for another job.

I used to work in JD Sports and the rota ran Sunday - Saturday but you would not find out until Saturday at 7.30pm (shop close time) if you were working at 8.00am Sunday morning! And even then sometimes they would just put the Sunday shifts up and you'd still be waiting to find out the rest of your shifts on the Sunday. It's no way to live!!!

UrsulaBursula · 10/02/2022 19:34

If I were you I would be looking for another job

busyeatingbiscuits · 10/02/2022 19:36

@Firn

It's an independent.

I've just text my manager and asked if I'm on the early tomorrow and she's immediately replied "haven't finished rotas yet"

Argh!

Message her back and say "I can't work tomorrow then as this isn't enough notice".
Nutrigrainygoodness · 10/02/2022 19:38

Is there no pattern to your shifts?
DW gets the weekly rota on a Thursday, it starts the next day (runs fri-thurs) but DW generally (unless everone is off with covid again) has Thursday Friday off so we can make plans.
It is a bit shit though, just waiting every week to know what you are working.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 10/02/2022 19:42

That’s really shit.
I manage a coffee shop. My staff get their rota two weeks in advance.

titchy · 10/02/2022 19:47

Tell her that whatever this weeks shifts are also apply to the following week. Then she can do the shifts next week for the week after and everyone is happy. Or suggest you do them for an extra hours pay each week Grin

DDivaStar · 10/02/2022 21:39

I really don't understand the changing rotas, surely everyone would rather regular hours and re writing rotas must take ages. If its the same staff each week why not the same hours ?

Original poster
Firn · 10/02/2022 21:41

Still waiting for the rota.

I really like the job so far, this is the only problem. I applied for so many places but nobody wants to hire someone who already has a main job.

OP posts: