Should I still cover a shift after my scheduler replied so late?

[Smileygirl2000]

So last week Thursday July 23rd the work scheduler asked me what's my availability for a specific client? I have a second job so I asked well what is open especially since there are several other people on the care case. She said I'll get back to you tomorrow Friday or Monday July 27th once I get everything updated to see what is open August. After she said that I sent a text that night Thursday (July 23) saying I can work Saturday 7am-7pm. I heard back from her today July 29 saying okay I plugged you in. Like no offense but it took so long that I started coming up with other plans. And even when she sent that she never gave me what is the openings. Would you say I waited to hear back from you but didn't no I'm no longer available Saturday or just cover the shift?

[SamIam96]

If you can cover the shift do it. Being flexible shows maturity and you may help them out of a bind. There's no down side. If you do cover, be calm, professional and unemotional explaining that the scheduler put you in a very awkward position and made promises that weren't kept.

Good luck.

[Smileygirl2000]

Yeah so at this point it's near the end of the week. I have a second job so now I'm tired and rather go hiking. Like she took so long. I hate that I did bring up covering August first yet I didn't get a confirmation until days later. So I'm like sitting here wondering are they giving me the shift or not? Is it filled so I sent this to her:Hi, I didn't hear back after I offered to cover
August 1st, so I made other plans and am no longer
available for that shift. I apologize for any
inconvenience and wanted to communicate as
soon as I knew. I don't know what the openings are for the month of August? I know you had mentioned you'd let me know once you've had the schedule built on Friday or Monday.

[Smileygirl2000]

She then apologized and admitted to being confused about the schedule and sending a copy paste of what she believes is available. It's almost August now so it's a bit of an inconvenience

[Smileygirl2000]

Yet I don't know I may just tell her I'll cover but at this point too much time set it I rather do something relaxing I don't know

[Smileygirl2000]

Like u said it's just an awkward position she put me in

[SamIam96]

"Hi, I didn't hear back after I offered to cover August 1st, so I made other plans and am no longer available for that shift. I apologize for any inconvenience and wanted to communicate as soon as I knew." Very professional. And she acknowledged that she made a mistake.

You're in a good position whatever you decide. It comes down to if you want to help out and earn some credit for being helpful. Or, you need to preserve your sanity and just have some time off.

[SamIam96]

(Sorry. I thing we were typing at the same time.)

[Smileygirl2000]

Yeah I kinda feel bad though since I offered is the thing but I don't know I may message back and say I'll see if I can rearrange plans to cover or I may just leave as is.

[SamIam96]

It's a surprisingly difficult decision. I get the impression that you need the time off but are also feeling like you made a commitment that you don't want to break even though you're completely justified if you do.

[Smileygirl2000]

Exactly!!!

[SamIam96]

Now I'm curious. Let me know what you decide.

[Smileygirl2000]

Well the little kid was a bastard tonight so I honestly rather not work with him again. I get he has special needs but he is a smart kid I believe he's on the spectrum, he's a quadriplegic, on a ventilator and bed bound and 14

[Smileygirl2000]

He says my bed doesn't feel the same anymore why? I said I can tell u but u may not like it. He said is it the big kid thing? I said yeah you're going to high school so you're a big kid now so you may have just outgrown it. He said no no no then whispered stfu. I said no sir! That is not appropriate. I'm very disappointed in him

[SamIam96]

DM if you want to chat.

[SamIam96]

Thank you for the MHO. Did you take the day off? Work?

[NathanDavis]

whoever manages your schedules... will take mental notes

if they can get away with this, one time... they will try to get away with it a second time and eventually... you will end up in a list that for them means "I can just ask Smileygirl2000 and she will do it"

and that's just the nature of managing schedules... when you have many people and many shifts, and a lot of things that are not really under you control, then you just manage "the best you can" and many times this means... "make people do it"

so I guess it is about your flexibility... if you can take the shifts, then just take them... I guess that's more pay right?

but if your time and your other job is more valuable, then set up a clear back and forth with them that works for you... and it doesn't affect you as much

[Smileygirl2000]

I sent her this:Hi, I didn't hear back after I offered to cover
August 1st, so I made other plans and am no longer
available for that shift. I apologize for any
inconvenience and wanted to communicate as
soon as I knew. I don't know what the openings are for the month of August? I know you had mentioned you'd let me know once you've had the schedule built on Friday or Monday.

[AI Opinion]

I’d cover the shift this time, then reset expectations for the future.

I’ve juggled multiple roles myself, and reliability builds your reputation. Since you offered 7–7 and she confirmed, backing out now can hurt trust unless you truly can’t do it.

Afterward, send a calm message like:
“Going forward, I need confirmation within 24 hours of offering availability. If I don’t hear back, I’ll assume it’s not scheduled and may make other plans.”

That sets a clear boundary and protects your time while staying professional.

[DryGermanGuy]

I would tell them to get lost, with your preferred level or politeness, of course.

[Smileygirl2000]

Really why?

[DryGermanGuy]

As you mentioned, they weren't too motivated to get back to you, so why should you?

[Smileygirl2000]

Thank you!!! Okay now I don't feel bad. Once she got back to me I sent this:Hi, I didn't hear back after I offered to cover
August 1st, so I made other plans and am no longer
available for that shift. I apologize for any
inconvenience and wanted to communicate as
soon as I knew. I don't know what the openings are for the month of August? I know you had mentioned you'd let me know once you've had the schedule built on Friday or Monday.

[Smileygirl2000]

I kept it professional but I feel the same as you. Like it shouldn't have taken this long

[DryGermanGuy]

Purrfect. 👌