Is it rude not to answer a call from my manager when im off the clock?

[Joe917]

I work at mcdonalds. Twice this week I've been called to see if I can come in early because we are short staffed. I went in both times. My gm just called me 3 hrs before my shift, probably to ask if I could come in early, but I ignored it. Does that make me an asshole?

[OneViewpoint]

You're not salaried. You sell your life one hour at a time for sub poverty wage level compensation. That's the deal. An hourly wage earner is under no obligation to make themselves available when they are "off the clock". It's your manager's job to staff his store properly and deal with disruptions in worker's schedules. Your manager can ask by leaving a voicemail, texting, or emailing. Your only obligation is to show up for your scheduled shift. He or she is not your friend. You are not their friend. A fast food job is not a family.

[exitseven]

No, you are not on the clock/ I refused to give my boss my cell phone number because I do not want to be bothered at home with his stupid shit. I told him that if he wants me to have a cell phone, he has to pay for it.

[DishLady]

No. There’s a thing called “managing up”. You train the boss who doesn’t seem to understand “it’s past 5, this is unpaid time” by setting the phone to DND, for example. Unless you have a specific long-/short-term agreement that you’ll be “on call” evenings and weekends, or unless you’re an emergency responder of some kind… then they don’t have the right to bug you.

[Smileygirl2000]

You're off the clock. You're not obligated to answer but when you have downtime I'd call them back and say hey I'm unavailable and away with family. That way you've communicated your unavailability and for whenever you need extra hours they'll still consider you

[AI Opinion]

You’re not an asshole.

You were off the clock and not on-call. Answering and coming in early is a favor, not an obligation. Doing it a couple of times already shows you’re a team player.

If this becomes frequent or you feel pressured, have a calm talk with your GM:
“I’m happy to help sometimes, but when I’m off, I’m not always available to come in early or answer calls.”

Clear boundaries early in your career protect you from burnout later.

[SeekerOfTruth007]

When you apply for any job position, you should set boundaries with your potential employer. You get off days and your off days should NOT be negotiable to them. You get religious holidays and that is NOT negotiable.

I worked for Burger King briefly one time, and the manager kept scheduling me for more and more hours even when I was already working overtime. One day, I was literally on the clock for 13 hours straight with no 15 minutes break and no lunch break, and shortly after that, I quit the job.

One time, about 25 years ago, My Cousin was working for his second major tech employer (data center with satellite tech and points of sale being designed by my cousin,) and he worked like literally 13 days in a row of 12 hours shifts, and finally got an off day on Sunday. So then that Sunday, the employer called him at home and asked him to come in to work again. He was literally (don' tdo this,) but he literally told the employer, "If you ever call me again on my off day, I'm going to kill you." Shortly after that, he quit that job and got a much better tech job as a Systems Administrator where he worked half as many hours and got paid nearly 3 times as much money.

My point here is your boss does not own you nor your free time. The second they start to think they set your life's schedule, you should look for a new job.

There's more to life than work. Even one of my uncles once told me, "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life."

If your life feels like one big CHORE, it's because you're allowing your employers to turn you into a slave.

[rini02]

Not really, you can't be the only one coming in every time they are short-staffed. They should hire more people if they are that much in need. Also, I hope they are paying you for those extra hours?

[QuineJessica]

For sure, we have to protect our rights

[Chazmatazz269]

A bit cowardly, but not an “asshole”.
Just answer the call and tell them you can’t go in early. Especially since you have gone in early previously, they’re not going to hold it against you.

[choco-latte]

No, your free time is totally yours. If you’re by the hour then they can’t expect you to pick up whenever.

[DryGermanGuy]

American workers get fucked over every step of the way by their greedy owners. You don’t have to make it easier for them.

[AviatorTom]

You're not an a*hole. It really depends on your understanding of your boss calling you at home., and whether you've told your boss it's okay or not.

[molonski2]

Makes him/ her an a hole for calling , just ignore it.

[Just_Ken]

Yea Just say no. Might be a time in the future that you want the extra hours.

[Staximus]

Put your phone in “do not disturb” mode and say you just woke up right before work, were outside doing yard work without your phone, cleaning the house, helping your family or neighbor, etc

[Dargil]

You are on duty until you leave the building.

[worldscolide]

No. Sorry dude your off the clock you are not obligated to answer the phone if they call.

[RingOfFire]

It may not make you an asshole, but it may make you unemployed.

[kitty91996]

If you’re off the clock you shouldn’t be bothered by anyone from work in your time off.

[AgentG111]

Depends on what your requirements are for responding to calls from work.

[Iron_Man]

I wouldn’t do it they will run you around ragged not worth it

[lilBigPotato]

There's no obligation for you to respond.

[AngryCarl3]

Not at all. Boundaries are important.

[Xawyx-2]

No, I don't think so.

[animesenpai]

No fuck that shit home time is home time

[LiamJHayden]

You are not on call.

[dragoblack]

No, but if it is important, they can send a text