I keep saying no to my employer

[JosieMay1970]

My employer keeps asking me to cover members of the team who are on holiday but I’m always too busy so I have to say no, I feel bad but my employer never really compliments my work and I don’t even have contracted hours. Should I feel bad for saying no?

Is it a job or a career? Do you see yourself there long term? If you do then it’s worth the effort to occasionally cover someone.

or say yes and do the best possible ?

It’s a job, I’m only working in a bakery but I hate saying no and I feel like I do all the time, but to be honest I feel like sometimes my colleagues make me feel bad for not covering

You have every right to say no. But as you have no contracted hours don't be overly surprised if they find someone else to fill in and then they can cut your hours down to give them more. You can easily be managed out by slashing your hours down and not have a leg to stand on.

I know how you feel, OP! I've been in my Job a year and when I started there was very clear, agreed set days and times.. but they still ask me to cover and work extra shifts. I feel so bad when I say no (a lot!) but it also makes me pretty stressed and feel uncomfortable!