What options does a part-time mother have when her supervisor ignores her requests to schedule around her ability to get daycare?

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What options does a part-time mother have when her supervisor ignores her requests to schedule around her ability to get daycare?

My daughter has been employed at this major retailer for more than 3 years. She is a good employee and works the hours they request. However it is causing her hardship because the supervisor insists on having her work every Saturday evening. My daughter has told her and the store manager that she doesn’t have a sitter in the evenings. They have ignored her problem even though they accommodate another employee with the same day care issue. There are other employees who are able to work those hours. The supervisor thinks it is funny when my daughter gets upset about it. What can she do?

Asked on January 18, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Massachusetts

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

Your daughter cannot do anything about it, unfortunately. The law does not require employers to accomodate employee's child care (or other needs); instead, an employer can set whatever hours it likes, and the employee must be able  to make them. What you describe is unfair, but is not illegal--the employer doesn't need to schedule other people for that time, but can require your daughter to make those hours.


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