When you realize "flexibility" means “we own your life”
I used to think “flexibility” on the schedule meant something mutual. Like, if I covered a shift one week, I could maybe ask for one off the next. Or that if I worked six days straight, I wouldn’t get hit with a 7AM truck shift the day after a closing one. But nah. What it really means is they expect you to bend until something breaks, usually your back or your sanity.
Just last month, I requested two days off for a family event. Gave almost three weeks notice. Got scheduled both days. I talked to the team lead and they were like, “Yeah, it’s just how the system filled it. Try to find someone to swap with.” So I spend a week trying to switch, but everyone else is already overbooked or burned out. Ended up missing part of my family gathering just to cover a shift that ended up being overstaffed anyway.
Then, of course, they ask if I can stay late because someone called out. The kicker? The coach who made the schedule wasn’t even there that day.
I’m not saying I don’t want to help, I show up, I stay late, I do what I can. But “being a team player” gets real old when the team only seems to notice when you're the one cleaning up the mess.
I’ve started keeping my own boundary line now. I help when I can, not just because they expect it. Respect goes both ways, and until that’s clear, I’m done saying yes to everything.
Anyone else reach that turning point where you realize they’re not going to respect your time unless you do first? #WorkLifeBalance #SchedulingRant #RetailRealness
That happened to me too. Now I don’t even bother asking unless I’m willing to call out.
You worded it perfectly. "Bend until something breaks." That’s exactly what it feels like lately.
Same. I used to be proud of picking up shifts. Now I just feel used.
Our coach straight up told us, “if you’re not flexible, you’re not valuable.” Took everything not to walk out then and there.
That’s wild. I would’ve asked them what happens when all the “valuable” people finally burn out.
I started putting in time-off requests through Workday and screenshotting everything. When they “accidentally” schedule me, I just send the screenshot.
I tried doing that, but our team lead told me it still doesn’t guarantee anything. Like what’s even the point then?
This week I got four closing shifts followed by 6AMs. No rest, no apologies. Just “we’re short staffed.”
That flip from close to open is brutal. Should be illegal honestly.
I stopped going above and beyond. They noticed, but funny thing is, no one said anything until I started doing only what’s in my job title.
Tired of the fake “thank you” culture too. They thank you and then dump more on your plate.
I got pulled to front end three times last week while still being held responsible for zoning pets. Make it make sense.
They always say “it’ll just be a few minutes,” then forget you’re gone. You come back and the whole aisle’s a disaster.
Retail motto: You get what you tolerate. Once I stopped saying yes to everything, they moved on to the next “yes” person.
Unfortunately this is in most of Walmart stores when they're staffing incorrectly it's a computer thing or I don't know who made the schedule is usually what people are told when addressing the person who made the schedule it's just the way it happens yet corporate upper management 50/50 on team leads or never working days that they can't work or days they don't want to work they're not scheduled coaches go missing in action leads go missing in action there's no follow through there's no teamwork the teamwork is you do it this way or (what happens will happen). and whoever mentioned it about the thank yous are fake they're so unreal that it's pathetic. there's no respect and their process of thought is, there's the door. the only thing I've seen though at the door when those people are heading out there isn't a whole lot of people coming in there is no support in the work environment and over probably 85% of the Walmart stores. No one cares and no one is trying. so if they're going to lead by the example there's not a whole lot you can do
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Yep. I asked for one Saturday off for a wedding and got scheduled a double. Not even surprised anymore.