What is your definition of Part time Employment?

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A1cntrler

A1cntrler

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My son will be starting school here in a few weeks and after being a stay-at-home-dad since my medical discharge from the military, I wanted to find something to do to fill the time and bring in a bit of extra money to play with. I applied at Advance Auto Parts and have done everything except the pee test (which he gave me the paperwork on Thurs, and called me today to ask me where it was at..been out of town as of Fri. morning..told him that and that I would do it Mon, but he called me a few minutes ago to ask me where it was at..) and the background check (which he said would take about 3-4 days to complete). I was under the assumption that when going for part-time, I could tell him when I was available. I had told him Mon-Fri after 2pm (My son starts school at 1pm, and grandma will pick him up after school, and mom will get him from grandmas on her way home from work). He said that I would be needed on weekends as well. I figured ok, no problem. I also took in some dates on which we have had things planned already. In October, we have a wedding we are going to in the Poconos. We have already spent $1200 on a 6 person cabin for a three day period (Fri, Sat and Sun) at the resort where the wedding will be at. This was paid for back in January. About a week after we return from that, my in-laws (son's childcare after school) will be going on a 10 day cruise. I told him I would be available after 6pm on those days since my wife works until 530 M-F. He then told me that he needs me to work, and why do I need 3 days for a wedding in the Poconos? He said he can get there and back in 1-2 days max from here in Southeastern VA. And he is not happy at all about me needing to be out for 10 days in a row for childcare.



Honestly I don't need the job, just wanted something to do to fill the time (the 20% discount is nice too). The wife just completed her Doctorate and is the breadwinner for now. She has told me that I can go to work as long as it doesn't interfere with what she wants to do (such as going out of town for a weekend on a whim, going to Busch Gardens whenever, taking the kid camping, etc..) She can deal with the M-F stuff, but would really like me around on weekends (as I would like to be too :cool: )



I have never worked Part-time before. All I have known is the military life, and did that for close to 11 years. I just want to be sure I am not being taken advantage of. Should I be able to tell him when I am available to work, or do I need to accommodate his schedule into my life?? I really want this job and to work there. I like the environment of the store and the way everyone is helpful. But if this is the way it is going to be, maybe I need to go and look elsewhere for a job that will accommodate my schedule better. Am I being too picky with my hours I am available???

 
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Part time is defined as "less than full-time" which is typically a minimum of 35-40 hours a week.



If your state is like mine, it is an "employment at will" state, which means that basically you can quit a job at anytime for any reason, and the employer can also terminate you at any time for any reason.



Sounds like the needs of AutoZone are not congruent with your needs. Keep looking.



No, you are not being taken advantage of.
 
Basically, a job is a privilege - not a right.



He has the right to expect his employees to work when he needs them to. You have the right to look for job that will accommodate your schedule. Maybe this job isn't a good fit for you. I think "Part Time" is determined by how many hours you work, not necessarily how flexible those hours are.



Good luck.



p.s. If you don't need the job, consider looking for one after all your scheduled activities are done. Nothing sounds worse to a potential employer than a new-hire requesting a bunch of time off (or a customized schedule) right off the bat. That's a bad way to start a new relationship with your boss.
 
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So I guess he is just being inflexible then. When I put on the application that I was available M-F, why would he bring me in the interview me if he needed more?? So basically I will probably have a hard time finding employment that is flexible enough to acomodate my schedule? How do people work 2 jobs?? If they both schedule independantly of each other, what is to keep you from having to be in two places at once?? He did tell me that Part Time is not eligible for vacation when I told him about the 10 days in October (I understand that it isn't paid, but if I need the time off....) Does this mean that if I work part time, I never get to go on vacation with my family?? I don't want to end up being at someones beck and call 24/7/365... If I need time off, I should be able to schedule it.. This whole regular workforce thing sucks.. Maybe I should just be a stay-at-home dad forever....
 
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A1 - part time is something less then 40 hours and is usually an hourly wage. I think you are correct in letting them know up front when YOU can work and if that does not fit their schedule or they are not flexible then keep looking. You are working for YOU. You don't need to work so I would find something that fits what you need.



Good Luck.
 
A1,



Put it on the line to him. You are available at the times you stated. I am sure if he wants a good, reliable employee he will reconsider. If he wants you there M-F and weekends then tell him thanks but no thanks.



If he is asking these questions about your time off before he hires you he likely is an ass to work for and you are better off looking for something else. And being part time usually means no paid benefits like health care, vacation and sick leave.



Don't forget, you don't need this job and the BS that probably will come with it.
 
If he is asking these questions about your time off before he hires you he likely is an ass to work for and you are better off looking for something else. And being part time usually means no paid benefits like health care, vacation and sick leave.
Click to expand...



Yeah, I don't care about the benefits or vacation time, but if I need time off for something, I need it off. He is calling my 10 days in Oct. for the inlaws crusie vacation, and being part time I don't get that...
 
Bottom line is this:



If the job doesn't fit your schedule, keep looking, or better yet (as suggested by someone else) WAIT until your "vacation" time is over and then look.



Being in a former mgmt position, I see things from both sides. You need to understand that when you're hired to work, they expect you to work. Wether the vacation time is paid or not, there's a certan expectation level. Your manager has to look out for the business, not you because "when you need time off, you need it". That's his job. Just because he's asking all these questions and pushing back on your time off doesn't make him an asshole.



Since you said you don't NEED the job, I would just wait. Take up a hobby, or find something you can do that involves working from home or has really limited, set hours. You should consider yourself lucky that you dont HAVE to work, imagine if you werent as well off and had to deal with the BS every day! :D
 
Most part-time employers use part-time personnel to fill in when their full-time employees are out. Many see the part time employees as being on the bottom of the pecking order, and think they should be available any time they are needed.



The guy needs to learn that there are quality part-time employees just like there are quality full time employees, and their schedules will have to be be taken into account if they want to keep them. Many (if not most) do not see it that way.
 
He then told me that he needs me to work, and why do I need 3 days for a wedding in the Poconos? He said he can get there and back in 1-2 days max from here in Southeastern VA.
Click to expand...



Steve, this alone qualifies him as an ass.



Your point about having a business to run is valid but I know from my personal experience in management that hiring good employees is tough nowadays.



Being inflexible is not the way to attract and retain those few good employees out there, especially when advertising for part time.



I also agree that since this is not urgent, A1 can always wait until after the family events are over to begin looking.



Come Novemeber anyone with a pulse can get hired in retail sales for the Christmas rush.
 
I hear what youre saying, and I sorta agree w/that comment making him kind of a dick, but I also understand where he's coming from.



I belive he is trying to make a point. If I hired someone and gave them time off right off the bat, they would know they could keep trying for more time off down the road. By being stern with what youre willing to and not willing to put up with, you set a baseline of expecatation for the employee to follow throught their employment.



There's a hundred other people out there that could do the job he has applied for. Maybe not the best qualified, best dressed, best smelling, whatever, but the workplace doesn't have to be flexible, they just need a decent person to fill the position, which im sure there are plenty of.



You have to remember, theyre paying you to work. I know the relationship is 2 ways, but lets face it, the workplace gets what they want more often than not. I guess what Im trying to say is that if he can't meet the employers expectations than the whole deal is bad for the both of them.
 
What F-Kent says.



Tell the guy to take a flying leap.



Go find something better. Be honest and forward with them and expect no less in return. If they can find someone better than you to work for the dough they are paying, more power to 'em.



You are much better than the idiots he hires and who don't stay and who lie to him. You deserve to work in a better environment. You have not done anything wrong here, and you do not need to be on the defensive. I agree, if it is this bad now, he will really be a dick when you are his employee.



Don't give up--there are employers out there who do appreciate guys like you.



BTW guys: Don't stir up Cayman too much. Idiots like this bozo manager are EXACTLY why employers are unionized. This assclown thinks that employees are neccessary evil expenses that need to be reduced or eliminated, not that employees are assets that need to be nurished, developed, and protected. I wish that we didn't need labor unions to protect employees from dickhead employers like this one, however, they are needed in many cases. Also, I work with a lot of union apprenticeship programs, and as a workforce development means, the union apprenticeship programs in many cases are second to none in quality for training employees and giving employees skills and a secure, successful future to provide for their families.
 
By definition, any job where you work 30 hours or less a week is part-time.



That aside, if I were to apply for that position, with those conditions, I see it as him having a choice between hiring me or not hiring me. You're not his bitch now, and this is just a preview of employment. Find someone who'll treat you as well as you'll treat their company.
 
I think I'll pass on the job. I feel like an ass for wasting his time interviewing me though. I wonder if I should go and do the pee test now or not?? I don't want him to think that I was afraid to do the pee test and that is why I passed on the job. I shop in this place several times a week (it is witihn walking distance from my house) and buy almost every car part I need from there. I'd hate to stop going there beacuse they think I am a druggie..., but at the same time it would be a waste of money for the company to spend to test my urine... Guess I have tomorrow to think about it...
 
I work at an Advance Auto Parts. They classify full time as more than 32 hours per week, for more than 26 consecutive weeks.



There's a guy at our store who gets off every weekend. Everyone hates him, but he gets it. If they don't really need you to work there, then they won't bend enough.



Go ahead and take the drug test (they tell you it takes a few days, but it's done before you walk out the doc's office) and maybe once you pass that, and the only thing holding you from working is schedule conflicts, they may bend more (there's a lot of hoops to jump through to get hired there, and you'll spend around 5-6 hours taking tests your first few days).



My managers are awesome and generally so are most of the other people who work there. I went on a cruise and needed 13 consecutive days off this past June, and the boss didn't even blink an eye, he just said that's fine, we can handle it. Usually if they know more than a week in advance, you can get whatever days you want off.



As for what some of yall are saying, there are fairly high standards for working there, but it is a great place to work. Not just anyone can deal with some of the idiots we get in there. I say take the drug test, and don't back out on the vacation time you already have planned, as well as the hours. On the application, it asks what hours you can work. You filled that out, and if they called you back knowing they'd want you to work more, then they wasted your time.
 
Since you "don't need the job", you are in the driver's seat.



Be straight forward, upbeat and friendly when you talk to him and stick to what you are willing to commit to this job as far as work hours and days.



A warning flag for me was:

"He then told me that he needs me to work, and why do I need 3 days for a wedding in the Poconos? He said he can get there and back in 1-2 days max from here in Southeastern VA. And he is not happy at all about me needing to be out for 10 days in a row for childcare."



Remember that you don't "need" this job.
 
Agree. Take the pee test. Let him call you. When he asks when you are going to start, then you bring up the schedule and vacation. Tell him you are honest, serious and will do a great job for him, but you need your flexibility and days off. If he still balks, tell him where to go. Don't let him bully you.



 
I'd be more concerned that an auto parts store wants drug tests and criminal background checks.

I know that's within their rights, but it's a bit rediculous.



You aren't going to be in charge of airport security, after all...
 

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