Boss requiring me to attend a mandatory meeting, seeming to be unpaid; Looking for advice.

[u/Warm_Tap5552]

Hello everyone, I'm looking for some advice on what I should do next. To give some context I had a family emergency that required me to miss a day. I have been at this job for 2 months, the job is a midnight shift stocking shelves. I work with one other person during my shift, hes been working there for 2 years and is always complaining about how our boss is managing the store and how he treats him, recently I had to miss a day due to a family emergency which ended up me unfortunately calling out. I'm going to share images of our conversation.

More information about my aunt's situation (the family emergency), she was getting kicked out where she was living suddenly so I had to go help her pack her things and move practically everything, she has some sort of scoliosis in her back and recently diagnosed with breast cancer, she starts panting just going up 12 or so stairs. No one else in the family helped her. I don't regret my decision.

Now the only concern I have right now is whats going to happen at this meeting and if hes going to violate my labor rights. It doesn't seem like hes going to pay me and if I don't attend I'm worried he'll fire me.

At this point he has ignored my message.

If you have any suggestions that I should talk to him about or any advice on what I should do I'm open to hearing it, and also did I do anything wrong? Am I in the wrong?

I've missed a total of 2 days. First day being in a lot of pain + sleep deprived.

Fyi I live in the state of Idaho and I'm paid hourly.

Thank you.

Edit: also my coworker also says that our boss only expects us to miss 1 day in a year. Which I personally find wild. I'm going to audio record my meeting with him if I do end up going.

Edit 2: I live in a small town with very little job opportunities, not trying to lose the job but also I hate being mistreated, very conflicting feelings.

*******Edit 3: Firstly I'd like to thank all of you for commenting, I appreciate the time you have dedicated towards commenting. After reading 2 hours worth of comments 10 hours after it was posted I'd like to make a few clarifications, Every time I'm at work I get the job done with my coworker on avg 2 hours before our official clock out time, I've never mistreated anyone poorly at my job. My coworker has called out 3 times in 1 month when I first started, which gives me hope on not being fired.

Also I didn't think trying to reschedule a better meeting time that worked for both of us was a bad idea, I was trying to think about his schedule and mine.

I did get all social cues from his texts and did understand the severity of the situation, my way of going about it might have been a bad decision.

I was just wondering since I was coming in on a day off if I'd be getting paid, I didn't think the question was a bad one and this is what I was mostly wondering about, if asking was a bad idea.

From what I'll take from you all is this,

1. Dont over explain
2. Go in and apologize and explain why I thought it was important to me to help my aunt
3. I'll be sure to conduct myself differently when faced with a similar situation like this
4. I've already gone ahead and applied for 1 other job since thats all that is hiring around me, (interview went very well btw, just 2 week notice at current job might have thrown it off due to his hiring time restraints)
5. Since idaho is a 1 side consent party I'm going to audio record the meeting
6. Im going to a military recruiter after the meeting

I'll update you guys on how the meeting turns out, I also believe I'll be fired however I have hope!*******

[u/Emperor_of_All]

Am I just reading between the lines or does it just seem like he is planning to fire you?

[u/Ciccio178 → u/Emperor_of_All]

Yeah, OP is getting canned.

[u/Clickrack → u/Ciccio178]

Come in early, get all your personals and contact info for everyone you care about, take it to your car, and gird your loins.

[u/CapeMOGuy → u/Clickrack]

... take it to your car, clock in and gird your loins.

[u/cyberentomology → u/CapeMOGuy]

And keep a receipt of that clock punch, because unemployment is gonna wanna know if you got paid.

[u/GottaHaveThatSkunk → u/CapeMOGuy]

Yeah that’s the key step. If you are asked to goto work and are hourly- clock in OP

[u/UpstairsTomato3231 → u/GottaHaveThatSkunk]

Also, not sure about laws in Idaho but here, if you're fired, they have to hand you a check that minute of all your wages, including the hour they fired you in.

And, yeah, OP is getting canned.

[u/InnerFisherman95073 → u/UpstairsTomato3231]

Idaho is the Wild West. Zero protections for employees

[u/voxpopper → u/Ciccio178]

Prob. and it might be a straw that broke the camels back type thing since the OP claimed he couldn't come in because helping his Aunt pack was a family emergency. They framed it all wrong, and the boss got livid, either canned or stern talking to.
If an employee claimed helping Aunt pack as a family emergency to me I wouldn't fire them if they were otherwise a good employee, but let's just say they wouldn't be on my good side either.

To add:
Since some people think all employers are enemies, what I wrote was, "They framed it all wrong".
Employees and Employers should trust each other, but trust needs to be earned. In this case the OP probably hasn't built it yet. So communication/framing matters.
Meaning:

1. They could have said, "Hey I'm really sorry I know this is last minute but a family member has a serious medical condition and only I can help out today."
2. vs
3. "I need to help my Aunt pack today"

Same base reason, very different reaction by people.

I have never and will never question anyone I've managed or employ if they said they had a family emergency, full stop.
But if a fairly new employee said their emergency is needing to help their Aunt move, they've lost some trust/respect from me, be it consciously or not.

[u/Majoro → u/voxpopper]

This is why I never give my boss a reason for why I wont be coming in on any given day unless its a planned vacation. It is no ones business but my own. Quick text or voicemail "I'm not going to be in today" and that's the end of it.

[u/CreativeWriterNSpace → u/Majoro]

I am sometimes thankful that we have a call-off line and don’t have to directly tell our boss anything.

You do have to give a reason, but it could just be “sick” and would suffice.

[u/beldin37 → u/CreativeWriterNSpace]

You do NOT have to give a reason. If you want to be polite "I'm sorry this is last-minute; I wanted to let you know as soon as I found out".

The more info you give, the more your boss can decide that your aunt/ sibling/ kid isn't a "good enough" reason for you to call off. That is your decision since you're a grown ass adult.

[u/voxpopper → u/CreativeWriterNSpace]

Right, usually the safest bet. Employee, employer relationship should be built on trust.
Or in the case above, saying, "My Aunt has a serious medical issue and I'm the only one that can help her out today."
ivs
"I need to help my Aunt pack today"

[u/lostandaggrieved617 → u/voxpopper]

Loving this "relationships should be based on trust, so you should absolutely lie" framing😂

[u/CreativeWriterNSpace → u/voxpopper]

Yep.

I will text my supervisor “hey I am stuck in traffic, I might be a fee min late” instead of doing the call off line. But that is the extent of it.

If I am planning on calling off, I will also tell my lead just so that they can plan (usually it is “Yeah, I had something come up- I won’t be here tomorrow” or “I have an important Dr appt that I can’t reschedule, I will be in by X time”.

Sometime it will also be “I needed the day but we cant have more than 1 person on ‘Vacation’, and X got there first.” But everyone does that at times, so it bas become a valid reason.

[u/BeotchLasanga → u/Majoro]

100%. Family emergency, or not feeling well. Don't bother to over share, it just leaves too much room for interpretation. If boss prods, say it's a private matter.

[u/Appropriate_Code9141 → u/BeotchLasanga]

I agree. If one of my employees just says it’s a family emergency, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. If someone told me that helping an aunt pack was the “family emergency”, I would question the validity of that reason.

[u/saladmunch2 → u/Majoro]

Exactly, and if they have to know what you are doing then its a problem. They dont need to know anything besides you wont be there.

[u/HTPC4Life → u/Majoro]

This could rub a lot of managers the wrong way. I know it's not right, but a lot of managers would be put off by "I'm not coming in today" without at least saying your ill or have an emergency. Tread carefully with this attitude.

[u/Toomanynightshifts → u/Majoro]

This. I hate this American anti-worker rhetoric as above.

My boss doesn't get a reason. We have protected sick leave in my country and thank god for that.

[u/InvictusInfluence → u/voxpopper]

As a supervisor myself this is 100% correct. I have never, nor will I ever, say anything to you if you tell me I have a family emergency in fact when they come up to me with the issue the second family emergency leaves their mouth… it’s a full stop to the conversation … next words out my mouth are “Go and take care of it.”

But if you tell me something silly like… I’m calling off because I’m helping my aunt move…. Yea you are definitely in the dog house for a little bit.

[u/Petit__Chou → u/InvictusInfluence]

Also a supervisor. Don't give a shit why if they are using PTO given to them. Literally cannot tell them no (not that I would) for utilizing it.

If they don't have PTO and are going unpaid for something, I also don't give a shit. They'll get attendance points and that will bear out eventually if it's a problem.

Wild to me someone would put someone in the "dog house" like a child for whatever decisions they make. I take it you aren't in the corporate world.

[u/VegasRoy → u/Emperor_of_All]

Yeah, don’t worry about getting paid because you are definitely going to be there less then 15 minutes

[u/KetoCurious97 → u/VegasRoy]

And he won’t be violating labor rights because you don’t have those rights if you don’t have a job. 

[u/Xanthelei → u/KetoCurious97]

It is a work related activity. It doesn't matter if it's five or fifty minutes, it is by law required to be on the clock and paid. Please stop giving away your labor rights.

[u/SignificantShow8789 → u/Xanthelei]

And in some states a call in has a minimum time requirement as well

[u/howarewestillhere → u/Xanthelei]

Large companies will just pay for the entire day to cover their ass entirely.

[u/DanNorder → u/VegasRoy]

Clock in anyway. Always clock when at work. It's not just a good idea, it's the law. They have to pay you.

[u/bad_IT_advice → u/Emperor_of_All]

Worked there for 2 months and saying that helping their aunt move out is a family emergency. Maybe if they only said that they need to assist their aunt who has cancer, it might've gotten some grace.

Also calling off Friday at the last minute while they had Monday off. That's going to get a lot of scrutiny.

At best, it was going to be some kind of formal warning that OP had to sign off on, but you're probably right that they're getting canned.

[u/Jyvturkey → u/bad_IT_advice]

Yup. This doesn't look good for op. Go see your boss, tell him it won't happen again, and show up for work. 2 months is rediculous. This tells me this is a kid or young adult.

[u/lost_nondoctor → u/bad_IT_advice]

I am only chiming into the aunt situation. People dont suddenly NEED to move, specially in the evening. So what would motivate a woman to have to move urgently from their place? I can just think of issues that would make her unsafe to stay where she is. And as the niece/nephew, that would be a family emergency to me.

I agree they overshared and saying family emergency was enough.

[u/bad_IT_advice → u/lost_nondoctor]

The problem is that OP shared JUST enough to make it sound ridiculous. There were so many ways to make this sound better.

I've got a family emergency and won't be able to make it in tonight.

I've got a family emergency and need to take care of my aunt who has cancer.

I've got a family emergency. I'm out Monday, so can I switch shifts with someone?

I've got a family emergency. Can I push my shift to later? I can stay late to finish up.

[u/SuperBackup9000 → u/bad_IT_advice]

Yup, I have a feeling OP is very young and may just now be entering the workforce, so this is finally their right of passage with learning how you have to keep things short and brief with management. Details are only said if there’s a follow up and it’s required, and even then the whole truth shouldn’t be said. Doesn’t matter how good your relationship is with your boss either, mine is a personal friend and even she tells me to do that with her just in case her boss wants to see what was said

[u/Brilliant_Truck1810 → u/lost_nondoctor]

people do NEED to move last minute, especially women. if a woman is in an abusive relationship and there is a window where family can help them get out with some of their stuff while the abusive partner is away, you better bet that is an emergency. it is life or death in many cases.

sadly this is way way too common.

[u/Frontpagedreamz → u/bad_IT_advice]

Yeah, OP is giving off flake vibes, I feel they deserve what's coming to them.

[u/ExtremeNebula729 → u/Emperor_of_All]

If it wasn’t decided before this text chain, it is now.

[u/StrobeLightRomance → u/ExtremeNebula729]

Honestly, OP's so focused on their employee rights that they invented new employee wrongs.

[u/Awkwardpanda75 → u/Emperor_of_All]

How I read it as well. Drive all the way in so he can fire you, sounds very on brand for 2026.

[u/BigPhilosopher4372 → u/Awkwardpanda75]

He probably needs to sign paperwork and get his last check

[u/swginfinity → u/Emperor_of_All]

If you actually read some of his comments, he’s pretty much like, “Yeah, how about you come see me when I come in”? Because it appears they work different shifts lol this guy is wild. I totally see why he’s getting fired.

[u/B000urn55 → u/swginfinity]

I run my own company, and I will give this exact same advice to everyone, even those who work for me, DON’T WORK FOR FREE.

OP is dealing with this very well and is 100% correct. Mandatory in office meetings no matter what the reason are paid. This boss is a shit boss

[u/RelativeCheesecake88 → u/B000urn55]

This boss may be a shit boss, appears to be so. You can’t call in and take days off like this during your first two months on job. The excuse of helping Aunt pack to move, especially when you’re working the midnight shift? Where I work, they don’t care about excuses or reasons, they only care that you’re there doing your job or you’re not. I’m glad people exist in this world where they can help during emergencies, it’s a nice and we need more please. But as a boss, I’d be thinking this is BS like who packs between midnight and 8 am? I hope OP only gets a warning.

[u/B000urn55 → u/RelativeCheesecake88]

I would be hard pressed to believe the story myself. And discipline/termination may truly be justified. But standing up for yourself to not be taken advantage of is the correct way to deal with the meeting. All those saying “of course he’s going to be compensated for being called in” have obviously never had a job in their life.

[u/Ciccio178]

You're getting fired bro. Don't worry about getting paid, cause he's letting you go. Start applying elsewhere.

[u/NCStore → u/Ciccio178]

Clock in anyways

[u/skepticalbob → u/NCStore]

Might as well. It’s his final clock.

[u/ZestycloseChest9359 → u/NCStore]

Never clock out. Could get 12+ hours of free pay

[u/SignificantShow8789 → u/Ciccio178]

Not sure how much worse it can be then lol

[u/fiannalove]

He may have been planning only to write you up, but I’m pretty sure he’s definitely planning to fire you now.

[u/Last_Weeks_Socks → u/fiannalove]

I 100% agree. I think this was going to "we need to constitute what we consider an emergency". This is OP's 2nd time calling off in 60 days. First day was because he was sore and tired...I would not be shocked if that was the reason he gave also. Lots of places any call off in the first 90 days is immediate firing.

This does not read as someone that wants to keep their job. I highly doubt they are still employed come Tuesday.

[u/scoldmeforcommenting → u/Last_Weeks_Socks]

Why tf do we prattle on about what “lots of places do” as if that should be the standard? Why does someone calling off in the first 90 days = immediate firing, and why is that normalized or seen as “not wanting to keep their job”? Jesus fucking Christ the US is pathetic

[u/Sutraner → u/scoldmeforcommenting]

It's not just the US. There's no country where helping your aunt pack some boxes is a family emergency.

They could've just gone after their shift.

[u/JoeSugar → u/fiannalove]

And, honestly, I kinda understand.

[u/Pritzy-Prick → u/JoeSugar]

because he confirming if he’s going to be paid for time he’s required to work on his day off?

[u/DaEgofWhistleberry → u/Pritzy-Prick]

This is why one should keep things more vague with employers in these situations.
A “family emergency” would’ve done it

[u/Pritzy-Prick → u/DaEgofWhistleberry]

agree that he would have been better off not sharing the nature of the emergency. that being said, i’m really shocked by how many people think this isn’t a valid reason to call out. we don’t know the details but i consider helping a family member in a bind a valid reason to miss work. it honestly makes me think i’ve been fortunate to work places that understand life happens. i do find it concerning that OP has called out twice in two months though. as a manager, that would bother me more than missing one day for this reason.

[u/JEs4 → u/Pritzy-Prick]

Sorry, calling out to your shift the day of that starts at midnight because you need to help an aunt pack is an acceptable reason to miss work? That reason sounds unbelievable, and OP barely knows their manager. OP also framed it as no one else in their family would help, not that they couldn’t help. It’s literally asking OP’s coworker to take on the burden of his family dysfunction for something that apparently isn’t an emergency to their own family. Also labor rights but no tenant rights? Circling back to unbelievable.

[u/CIAMom420 → u/Pritzy-Prick]

You seem to have completely missed that the decision to fire him was made way before any of the conversation about pay was brought up.

[u/Pritzy-Prick → u/CIAMom420]

all the more reason. why the fuck should he rearrange his schedule to go in on his day off to get fired?

[u/rjorsin → u/Pritzy-Prick]

Fair, but OP also doesn’t seem to realize he’s getting fired.

[u/rjorsin → u/Pritzy-Prick]

No, because “I have to help my aunt move” isn’t what employers consider an emergency.

[u/txwoodslinger]

Update your resume

[u/Cyanides_Of_March → u/txwoodslinger]

And don’t list this boss as a reference.

[u/swginfinity]

Sounds like you’re getting fired. Probably going to show up and You’re going to be fired. Then you leave. Not sure if people get paid for the 5 mins they show up to get fired. A lot of companies though, if you are scheduled for the day, will fire you a bit after lunch, like 2 or 3pm and then pay you out for the remaining 2 hours of the day.

Stocking shelves If you’ve been on the job only a few months, they treat employees very disposably. Being late or calling out, they just get rid of you and find another guy to do it.

[u/CummanderKochenbalz → u/swginfinity]

How come the boss doesn't just can them here in this text thread? I feel like as a boss you're just opening up to making this worse by having the dude come in for 5 minutes to be fired.

[u/swginfinity → u/CummanderKochenbalz]

Management style or company policy in a lot of places they are big on face-to-face firing, or may come off as poor form to get fired over text.

[u/Universe_Nut → u/swginfinity]

No paper trails face to face.

[u/edvek → u/Universe_Nut]

OP said can it be a phone call and the boss said no. I doubt it's a paper trail issue. Could be policy or he's just a jerk and is attempting to exert his authority by forcing you to come in just to be fired 30 seconds later.

[u/ShoelessBoJackson → u/edvek]

his authority by forcing you to come in just to be fired 30 seconds later.

It's this one.

[u/BeotchLasanga → u/Universe_Nut]

Or maybe boss is trying to be formal with it and sit OP down with HR to do it?

[u/Barnard_Gumble → u/Universe_Nut]

The boss is more interested in the paper trail than you are…

[u/UnimagineDragons → u/Universe_Nut]

official write up or notice of termination to be given in person on company property . maybe something needs to be signed

[u/CummanderKochenbalz → u/swginfinity]

That certainly is a choice. I never liked making someone come in just to get fired. I feel bad enough letting people go most of the time, let alone wasting the gas and time just to be jumpscared by a firing.

[u/swginfinity → u/CummanderKochenbalz]

Oh, believe me, if I were getting canned, I would rather do it remotely. I think 99 percent of people would prefer that, but in the corporate world, they tend to do it face to face to collect company assets like phone, credit card, work laptop, and whatever else you may have that belongs to them. Another thing I really hate is when you get fired or laid off they squeeze every last drop of productivity out of you and wait till 3 or 4pm on a Wednesday or Thursday usually if they plan to fire someone for performance reasons in a white collar job they planned on getting rid of you for at least the past two or three months I’m a big advocate on ripping the band aid off and getting it over with.

I assume a lot of companies also view this as unprofessional to fire someone via text.

[u/OSRS_Rising → u/CummanderKochenbalz]

He might have keys or some kind of company property that the boss wants him to turn in.

[u/Stunning-Pick-9504 → u/OSRS_Rising]

Or an employee badge that they can badge into places. They could just remove access, but probably want the badge.

[u/sammiemo → u/CummanderKochenbalz]

It's often necessary to provide employees information about their final paycheck, when their benefits end, and eligibility for COBRA. It's usually done in person.

[u/ergonomic_logic]

You don't have a job anymore, OP so may as well do whatever you were planning to do 👀

[u/YearlyLemon8 → u/ergonomic_logic]

Congrats to OP! He has been promoted to customer!!!

[u/SymmetricDickNipples]

Word of advice for your next job - moving is not a family emergency, and if you need to call out, just say that and nothing else.

[u/angry-beees → u/SymmetricDickNipples]

and if you say there's a family emergency, you literally never have to explain what it is. And I don't know how legal it is for them to ask what the emergency is, maybe depends on states? idk. but, when you come back the next workday after the family emergency just say "everything is OK now." don't ever explain.

[u/Queasy_Author_3810 → u/angry-beees]

In the states, technically something like "family emergency" isn't a valid (legally) callout reason without something to back up the severity of the emergency. Any decent place will accept it, but legally they can ask for more details on what it pertains and request any documents as necessary. Generally the only things that are legally accepted as family emergency is stuff like imminent danger, hospitalization/injuries, or bereavement.

All this to say that the states absolutely blows to work in.

[u/princessmotivation → u/Queasy_Author_3810]

Depends on the state. In California if you say family medical emergency they can’t force you to give details on someone else medical emergency or why you’re needed.

[u/Sutraner → u/princessmotivation]

Right because it's a medical emergency.

That's the key part.

A family emergency doesn't include that word.

[u/No_Resolution_9252 → u/angry-beees]

You absolutely do have to justify it and the employer CAN require documentary proof. That doesn't apply here since it was a 2 month employee and the family member involved an aunt that under no circumstance would have been covered. OP was probably out getting drunk or fucked up or something.

[u/allycoaster → u/SymmetricDickNipples]

“Helping my aunt pack”

Uh, yikes.

[u/Queasy_Author_3810 → u/SymmetricDickNipples]

Seriously though - make up any excuse you want that's actually reasonable. Moving will never be.

[u/gorkt → u/SymmetricDickNipples]

Agreed, saying "I had a family emergency" is enough information. This guy dug his own grave.

[u/Ramsey_Bulton]

You just found out two hours before your shift that you have to help your aunt pack? Why couldn’t you help pack before or after your shift?

You are 100% going to be fired. I hope you don’t need this job. Let this be a lesson for the future.

[u/InvertedJennyanydots → u/Ramsey_Bulton]

And OP has a midnight shift. Why are they moving the aunt in the middle of the night?

[u/Horibori → u/InvertedJennyanydots]

I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt that since it’s packing and moving with urgency he’d probably be too tired to work or too sleep deprived to work, and is not necessarily doing the move at that time.

Either way the whole thing is questionable as fuck.

[u/fistular → u/InvertedJennyanydots]

Because it's BS

[u/Evening_Pea_9132 → u/Ramsey_Bulton]

He found out 2 hours before his overnight shift he needs to help his aunt pack overnight?

2 Callouts in 2 months?

Arguing about pay in regards to a disciplinary action.

I get the feeling OP is a horrible employee.

[u/bugabooandtwo → u/Evening_Pea_9132]

Oh, but OP's coworker talks badly about the boss, so it must be the boss who is the baddie! /s

[u/ieatmyownhands → u/bugabooandtwo]

That was a red flag for me too. Bro is stacking cans at midnight at some store. The most low responsibility stoner job ever and he can’t even handle that.

[u/Immediate_Zone_4652 → u/Evening_Pea_9132]

This is my thought exactly. You haven’t even been there 90 days yet. 

[u/A_Happy_Beginning]

I don't think it's necessary for you to come in and attend that meeting.

This is because they are firing you, and they probably need you there at the same time as HR is scheduled to be there for that meeting in particular.

[u/Tricksy_Tiefling → u/A_Happy_Beginning]

They ABSOLUTELY need to attend that meeting. Make them fire you. Don't quit. If you're fired you may get State benefits (I don't know anything about Idaho employment and compensation laws).

[u/Stunning-Pick-9504 → u/Tricksy_Tiefling]

A quick search of Idaho law says you need to work 2 full quarters to get unemployment. 2 months is not 2 quarters. Can’t hurt trying though.

[u/A_Happy_Beginning → u/Tricksy_Tiefling]

I'm not saying they don't need to attend a meeting.

But if they've intentionally scheduled the meeting for that person's day off.. then let the business reschedule the meeting, not the employee who has a valid day off and has plans.

[u/343GuiltyySpark → u/A_Happy_Beginning]

They’re not trying to inconvenience this guy; they’re trying to fire him. M—F 9-5 is what just about all HR or corporate positions work and their company policy 100% requires HR present. It sounds like he was gonna get a slap on the wrist initially and talked himself into getting fired

[u/Fit-Statistician4882 → u/343GuiltyySpark]

Dude is an idiot lol. He totally was going to get a written warning and then he talked himself annoyingly into getting himself fired.

[u/Mysterious_Bar_1069 → u/Fit-Statistician4882]

I suspect we know why he was getting repremanded, and this conversation beautifully illustrates the situation. He's worring about being mistreated and he's barely in the job 2 months and taking 2 days off, has no regrets re his decision, wants to be paid for being repremanded and told you aren't cutting it, and thinks he has the right to call the shots and is telling his boss when he boss should schedule the meeting for his own convenience?

[u/Last_Weeks_Socks → u/Mysterious_Bar_1069]

Oof. I know right? It honestly was hard to read because I was like "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Trying to tell his boss to come in early for the conversation 🙈

[u/Sad_Celebration_2275 → u/343GuiltyySpark]

They are even letting him do his Saturday shift.

[u/CommanderChiliHole]

Listen, I’m as pro-worker, pro-union as it gets. Helping your aunt move is absolutely not a family emergency. You fucked yourself over big time by saying that. Don’t ever go into details about why you’re missing work. Say you’re sick and that it’s private, that’s it. You played yourself.

With that being said, you absolutely should be paid for the 10 minutes it will take for them to fire you.

Good luck OP but you’re definitely getting shit canned. Hopefully in the future you learn to not divulge too much information because this definitely burned you big time. If your boss wasn’t going to fire you initially, saying helping your aunt move was an emergency definitely made that so.

[u/vyxanis → u/CommanderChiliHole]

Yeeaah it sucks shes unwell and has to move, but basically what op did was the equivalent of saying "Ill be late because I overslept" managers HATE that shit. I learned very early on to keep it short and sweet, don't over explain, and if there is something really serious going on then it's best to either go in and explain in person, or call them when you both have time. The manager can still choose to not accept it, unfortunately, especially if they haven't worked there long. The messages also generally came off like "I'm telling you whats happening, boss" which is a big yikes, chief!

[u/aeternumvaga]

Advice from the General Manager of a 120-person manufacturing business:

1. Don't try to negotiate over text here. Your boss is right, you are making it worse. You should treat all cases like this as a Miranda issue.... anything you say can and will be used against you. The correct response is "Understood, I'll see you then."

2. You are likely a "Probationary" Employee. This means it is very easy to terminate you, but it also means that how you behave now is probably the best behavior you will ever have. Having missed two scheduled shifts in such a short time is indeed cause for concern, because now you appear likely to miss work routinely. Your boss's charge is to provide the business with a reliable labor force, and if he makes an assessment that you are not reliable he has a duty to the business to remove you.

3. If a situation like this comes up in the future, demonstrate your commitment to the business by asking for help instead of just taking the time. I cannot speak for your boss, but it is possible he will work with you if you invite options others than just not showing up.

4. The justice warrior attitude expressed by you worrying about your labor rights being violated is very misplaced. DO clock in when you arrive for work when you go to talk to him. Even if it is a five minute termination conversation it is work. Your punches on the clock must be honored. DON'T assume you have any leverage here. You are not owed a job and the employer has the right to operate the business as they see fit. There is no indication here of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or anything illegal.

[u/No_Hunt2507 → u/aeternumvaga]

Reddit is destroying some people. We hear the horror stories and empowering stories of employees really sticking it to their bosses, but half of them are made up, most the others are exaggerated.

Even when your employer is in the wrong it is extremely difficult to fight them on it because they do this a lot and know the work arounds. They also have a lot more money than you to fight anything so unless you really got screwed to the point of someone taking your case probono you are not gonna fight them.

OP should be paid for any meeting, and chances are they probably would have been. They probably were facing a write up and now will very likely be fired for cause.

[u/Swimming-Junket-1828]

Dude you’re about to be fired…forget it being unpaid

[u/EtonRd]

I can tell you why your boss is so angry at you, but I don’t want that to be confused with me saying they are in the right. I just understand why your behavior pisses them off. Which is different than me, condoning their anger.

Your initial reply that “family emergencies usually aren’t good” was awful. It was so snarky and I imagine like smoke coming out of your bosses ears when they read that. Condescending and snarky. Bad, bad bad.

You mentioned a couple of times “it’s being treated as a family emergency”. That’s a made up thing that your family just made up. I could say that I stubbed my toe and my family decided we’re going to treat it as a family emergency. Do you understand that it’s not real? Your aunt having to move should not keep you from going to work and you can say as many times as you want that your family has decided to treat it as a “emergency”, but it doesn’t track.

And in your post to us, you say nobody else in your family showed up so your family wasn’t treating it as an emergency… They weren’t responding at all. You would’ve been better off explaining it as, I have an ill family member and they have an emergency situation and I have to help them. Less information is better.

OK, then you talk about your manager schedule and when they come in and how they can accommodate a different meeting time than Monday because you’re off on Monday. Again, I picture the steam coming out of their ears.

They are telling you that you are in trouble and you fucked up and you need to come in and talk to them on Monday and your response was yeah Monday doesn’t work for me, but I know that you usually come in early, so how about these other days that work better for me?

When you’re already in trouble, proposing meeting times that work best for you is bad. You make it sound like you are equally trying to work out a time that’s best for both of you and that that’s not the case. You’re an employee who has fucked up and you’re being asked to come in to discuss it. You’re not operating from a position of strength or a position where you are two equal parties.

THEN you agree finally to come in on Monday, oh no but wait a minute now you’re suggesting it’s a phone call… and now you are grilling them about whether or not you’re going to get paid. Now I picture their eyes bleeding from the stress of it all.

Your boss is pissed at you and told you to come in on Monday. And you’re negotiating and nitpicking and offering up alternatives and you don’t understand that it’s not your place to do that and this person is at the end of their rope with you.

You had no ability to read the situation or you didn’t care, but you needed to be apologetic and flexible and not demanding proof of being paid.

Now, as I said, this is not me saying that you have a great boss and they were right to act this way. I’m saying that from a boss perspective, you were being really fucking annoying. And you were not reading the room.

[u/FuriKMJ → u/EtonRd]

My jaw dropped reading the way OP tried to reschedule the meet up time with their boss. I've known people who do not have the ability to read the room this way and had to learn it the hard way, but it's the only way you can learn.

[u/ieatmyownhands → u/EtonRd]

Bro works stacking cans at midnight and thinks he had the leverage to create his own schedule lmfaooooo

[u/sierra-soul → u/EtonRd]

This is why managing other people if the most important skill you can develop.

And tbh, their boss didn't really do anything wrong, OP sounds like a shit employee. Calling out last minute twice in your first two months is insane behavior. It could be managed if they tried to explain to their boss or actually CALLED in to explain and get permission, but they probably just went "I'm not coming in today"

[u/FuriKMJ → u/sierra-soul]

I think it helps to build this kind of awareness and ability to read the room if you've ever been in the position of managing a group of people.

[u/Positive_Pilot_1641 → u/EtonRd]

One thing I’d like to add is, OP says the “family” is treating it as a “family emergency” BUT “no one else in the family helped her”, sounds like BS to me.
OP is the problem here, trying to act like the victim.

[u/GirlFeelsGood → u/EtonRd]

Perfect response 🙌🏽

[u/Level_East6791 → u/EtonRd]

☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼 all of this.

[u/houseplantsnothate → u/EtonRd]

Spot on.

[u/Just-Forever6684 → u/EtonRd]

Absolutely agree. As you say, the boss absolutely might be a total jerk. But you still have to deal with him because he’s your boss. I agree with your comment fully. I’d be pissed if I was the boss reading this

[u/neuro_space_explorer → u/EtonRd]

Everyone upvote this comment to the top of the post, thread over unless OP wants to respond.

[u/Murder_Hobo_LS77]

You're 60 days into a new job and missed two days with unplanned absences

I'm not saying what you did was wrong, but this is either the get it together or the you're getting fired talk.

[u/Buffyredpoodle → u/Murder_Hobo_LS77]

He’s getting fired. I don’t think he realized it.

[u/Queasy_Author_3810 → u/Murder_Hobo_LS77]

I totally skipped over the part and thought he worked there for 2 years, but that was the co-worker. Dude is 100% getting fired.

[u/No-Author-2358 → u/Murder_Hobo_LS77]

I'd fire the guy halfway thru this text conversation. He doesn't get it.

[u/Assholesneighbor → u/Murder_Hobo_LS77]

They’re getting canned… They sound like a mess and if you read what they wrote they justify everything with excuse after excuse…

It’s like OP doesn’t realize everyone’s issues are just as complicated and complex as their own… They basically missed a day a month at a job they started 2 months ago, but thinks the boss is the problem….

[u/ukco6]

You’re most likely getting fired. I wouldn’t tell them why you’re not going to be there. If you have something come up, you don’t owe your boss the details. It’s easier to take a sick day than tell them you just decided to do something else.

[u/-ArthurDigbySellers-]

You’re cooked, OP.

[u/backupbatboy]

I also don't see anyone else mentioning the first day you missed. Being in alot of pain probably means you aren't right for a shelving job. Being sleep deprived is not an excuse to miss work. Learn from the experience and start applying

[u/jmphb → u/backupbatboy]

I' guessing the 'a lot of pain' was a hangover and/or stubbed toe 🤣

[u/iceflame1211]

Reading this dialogue as a neutral/uninvolved party, I agree with the general consensus that you're fired.

Like, 95% chance.

[u/shakeyshake1 → u/iceflame1211]

I think it was 50/50 until the boss said “you’re making this worse” and OP responded by doubling down on asking if they’d be paid for the meeting and arguing about whether they  were making it worse.

[u/Nightstick11]

What on earth gave you the notion "I have to help my aunt pack" is a good excuse to miss a mandatory work meeting? Put yourself in your boss's shoes. What would you do with an employee who misses a mandatory work meeting to help their aunt pack, refuses to come in when asked, and asks stupid questions like "why don't you come in when I come in"?

[u/SunlightNStars → u/Nightstick11]

Good lord yes. Say anything else (I have food poisoning, I was in a car accident) or say NOTHING beyond family emergency or sick.

[u/mawdurnbukanier → u/SunlightNStars]

"I ate a bagged salad and now I can't stop shitting" should cover anything right now. 

[u/Omissionsoftheomen → u/SunlightNStars]

Less is more in these situations. I own a small company and recently had a very young employee call out Thursday night for a Friday morning shift… by saying that she thinks she ate something funky but also she had been with her boyfriend earlier and he has a bad head cold, and she can feel it starting in her. My girl, pick a lie and commit to it. Don’t insult both of us here…

[u/brmarcum → u/Nightstick11]

The Monday meeting was set after OP called out. They missed a shift using packing as the excuse and boss man said to come in Monday morning to talk.

[u/ieatmyownhands → u/Nightstick11]

That part where he started trying to throw his superior under the bus with the schedule negotiation thing was so goofy. This is definitely where he went from maybe fired to definitely fired.

[u/Nightstick11 → u/ieatmyownhands]

Yeah, the "come see me Monday 10 am" at least had the possibility of being told off and given a final warning, but then the whole schedule negotiation thing sealed his fate.

[u/CordonalSystemsT800 → u/Nightstick11]

He has a silly reason for missing work in the first place (eviction move outs aren't spontaneous), he's been there two months, and he's argumentative with his boss when asked to come see him.

OP is a pain in the ass employee.

[u/Queasy_Author_3810]

I don't think you're understanding the severity either, lol.

Seems like he plans on letting you go. Also, something like having to help someone move is not generally considered an acceptable reason to call out last minute on something important. Hire some movers for her or something if you want to help instead of jeoprodizing your livelihood.

He's more than likely not planning on paying you for the meeting because he's probably intending on firing you in person in that meeting.

But to answer your question, legally and in the eyes of general employment, yes, you are in the wrong. Calling out of a shift last minute due to helping someone move out is never going to be considered an acceptable reason, regardless of the circumstances, as there are businesses and services that operate that could help instead. Not saying you have a good boss, he's probably shit, I don't doubt that, but at this point I would strongly recommend you just go to the meeting at this point, because there is a very real possibility that he's letting you go during it.

[u/BungCrosby]

Idaho is a one-party consent state for recording a conversation, so you won’t be breaking the law by doing so. You may be in violation of company policy, but as absolutely everyone has said you are either getting the final warning talk or you’re getting fired. Legally, he may have to pay you for the time he spends firing you, but that may wind up being a battle you don’t want to fight.

Your aunt’s situation sucks, but it’s not an emergency. If you don’t get fired, you can’t call out any more this year. If you still have a job, you are on the absolute thinnest of ice.

[u/OSRS_Rising]

I can’t really say anything that hasn’t already but said but yeah, in the future aim to have close to zero call outs. 2 in 60 days with one being helping someone move isn’t a good look.

Arguing with the boss over a mandatory meeting is a really bad look. It’s assumed you’ll be paid since that wouldn’t be legal in the first place.

[u/sierra-soul → u/OSRS_Rising]

I want to highlight your second paragraph, if you were just gonna be written up or warned or something, that response changed things immediately to a firing. How asinine do you have to be to ask for clarification on that? It's like those people who get pulled over by a cop and start screaming "why'd you pull me over, im not giving you my id!" like dude you aren't gonna win in this moment in this situation, and all you accomplished was to make things worse for yourself, even if you were in the right. The time to defend yourself is afterwards, like if you showed up and werent allowed to clock in.

[u/Just-Forever6684 → u/sierra-soul]

Absolutely. Like with your police example, people in authority have a lot of latitude. Sure, if you murder someone, even being super nice won’t get you out of all charges. But when it’s something small, like speeding or having a light out, just be polite. Often people being “by the book” just results in more trouble for you. In this case, you should just be as apologetic as possible and promise it will never happen again, but instead you are being difficult. While it’s a valid question whether you will be paid or not, it’s inappropriate to ask at that time

[u/Own-Bunch-2616]

What you’ve shown your boss is that you are likely to call out again at the last minute and that you will dig in your heels on the boss’s obligation to you and try to dictate all the conditions of interactions. Many bosses will not tolerate this and you have shown you will be a lot of work for this boss. Live and learn.

[u/Crafty_Valuable_2690]

I really hope you’re super young and this is your first job. Otherwise…

You’re being let go. You don’t get paid for that. Since you’re hourly, I’m assuming you won’t get severance. Take this as a learning opportunity.

Good luck finding your next role and treat this as a rule of thumb: keep details to a minimum with any job. Only offer when asked and if it is relevant.

[u/BeotchLasanga → u/Crafty_Valuable_2690]

Also, calling out 2 times in 2 months might be a tad much. That falls within the probationary period for most jobs. Unless I was ejecting bodily fluids from both ends, I would try to make it to work especially as a newbie.

[u/crapshooter_on_swct]

Helping an Aunt pack isn’t your family emergency.

Having a paycheck is your emergency.

Live, learn and hoping it’s just a write up for you.

[u/Ok_Hippo_5437]

Literally zero other people on the planet could have packed and moved boxes for your aunt? There are services like this that exist. Even in my rural town (think like, 8k people lol).

You say you don't regret it, but also mention how youre nervous about losing this job.

Youre 100% getting fired at this point because, as a manager, you just completely fucked off and your manager is big mad right now

[u/mustanggrl625]

Seems to me he wants you to come in to be terminated in person. I could be wrong. You have been on the job for only 2 months, and are calling out already is likely a red flag to your boss - there are many things in life that are important to us and could be considered a family emergency, but your aunt needing to move suddenly is not a life-threatening event so to your boss is not an actual emergency.

If you were not going to be terminated and he just wanted to set expectations, you likely talked yourself into a termination by doubling down on trying to make it fit your life and schedule, and to get an agreement to be on the clock. Nothing in his request suggested you would not be paid for the time.

I am guessing you now will have more time to help your aunt and will need to look for another job.

[u/Peptidesforthewin]

Your boss is most definitely NOT violating your labor rights because you're getting fired for missing two days in a 90 day period, possibly your probation period.  You seem to be entitled, and think work rules don't apply to you. No one likes difficult employee. Better luck at the next job! 

[u/IGNSolar7]

As others have said, you're probably getting fired. Your reaction to this pretty much buried you already.

I'm a very pro-worker person, but someone else moving out isn't an emergency... this sounds like it might be your first job. If you want to keep the job, I'd come in and be extremely apologetic, realizing you made a mistake in your response, in what you thought was an emergency, and ask for a chance.

If not, get to applying ASAP.

[u/Ramsey_Bulton]

How much do you make hourly? You want them to pay you for the 5 mins it takes to fire you?

[u/RelativeCheesecake88 → u/Ramsey_Bulton]

But didn’t care about the money for the night shift they missed

[u/Hungry-Treacle8493]

A few things:

1. We don’t know your workplace’s rules around unplanned time-off. As fyi, in no state is an employer required to grant time off outside of specific contractual requirements if a contract exists. It appears you just took off for this family emergency and didn’t request it. If so, most employers will classify this as a “no show” if they didn’t approve it. “No show” occurrences typically lead to an immediate termination.

2. Your boss is trying to give you a last ditch opening to plead your case to save your job, and your response was terrible. In situations like this you need to be a bit contrite and flexible. The entire exchange around schedule and if you’d be paid, while legitimate discourse was handled very unprofessionally. Of course you will get paid for your little bit of time, but getting 10-15 minutes of pay is the least of your problems here. You are about to lose your job.

3. In the future, I highly recommend you work in professional communications skills. Do not engage via text in matters like this, call and talk. You also need to brush up on any company’s attendance and time off policies. It doesn’t matter if you think they are fair or if there should be leniency in how they are applied. If you want to work there, you deal with their tules and their methods of enforcing them.

[u/Buffyredpoodle]

He is going to fire you. Let this be a lesson for you.
Is your aunt going to pay your bills from now on?

[u/nearlysober]

Your boss sounds like a jerk the way they're talking down to you.

But you're unreliable and you negotiating your punishment is just coming off entirely out or touch with reality.

You missed a day because you didn't feel like coming in and you missed a day because you couldn't prioritize family matters.

No one gets kicked out of any house with that short of notice, that's illegal in just about every state. They need to go thru eviction process to remove just about anyone from any living situation. You had time to plan this or you couldve done it on a day off.

You're getting fired. You might not have been if you'd just come in Monday morning (and yes, technically that meeting would be billable time if you're hourly).

But your boss clearly has an ego trip and you've misread them.

[u/Zestyclose_Country_1 → u/nearlysober]

I wouldnt even call it an ego trip tbh hes just so done with bro hes trying to cross his t's and dot his i's so he can fire him. Just from the texts alone I know Id find him exhausting 😅

[u/ThanosSnapsSlimJims]

Let your boss fire you. You're going to get fired in person. It's just as easy to get fired by not going in. It's easy to get a new job stocking shelves.

[u/ilovecherrypepsi]

You called in to help someone move and called it an emergency? lol

[u/rjorsin → u/ilovecherrypepsi]

And hes an overnight stocker…

[u/DEDang1234]

How "great" is this job? AKA, how replaceable is it?

[u/CIAMom420 → u/DEDang1234]

They're stocking shelves in an area with few job opportunities, ie, very replaceable. The most replaceable kind of labor.

[u/DEDang1234 → u/CIAMom420]

How replaceable is the job for OP........ not how replaceable OP is for the manager.

[u/peterwhitefanclub → u/DEDang1234]

Maybe not all that replaceable because OP is very dumb.

[u/JackSquirts]

I'd shitcan you too cause it sounds like bullshit. This should have been a phone call where you explain the situation and offer to somehow make it up. First call would have been to an unscheduled coworker to get someone to cover the shift for me so I'm not adding a problem to my boss' plate. Then I call with a problem that's solved that he doesn't have to worry about, not a halfass text message that sounds like some horseshit excuse anyone who's managed people has heard a thousand times before. You aren't treating this like you don't have a lot of other opportunities.

But, here you are. You're going to get fired, so I'd go clock in, get fired, then clock out and learn your lesson.

[u/Soggy_Ant3833]

This is one of the most “lack of situational awareness” posts I’ve ever seen. God, read the room

[u/Silent-Audience-5836]

OP they aren't paying you because it sounds like your getting fired (hopefully I'm wrong). That's why he kept telling you 'in this situation' and getting angry.

EDIT I just reread the text. Helping someone move out is not usually considered a legitimate reason to call out (most people would just lie/not call out). Based on how you are missing his tone I'm guessing he's been looking for a reason to get rid of you.

[u/Ok_Mango_6887]

Next time don’t tell them why you have to be off, just state you are sick and won’t be in.

No one needs this much info

[u/karma_virus]

you are getting fired. NOBODY needs an emergency meeting to discuss stocking shelves.

[u/RNG_HatesMe]

It seems like OP's boss is a dick, but OP did basically everything he could to exacerbate the situation!

- WTF would you go into detail about why you had to be out? At most just say you had to assist a close family member with a recent cancer diagnosis. There's literally *0* reason to give him more information so he can use his own dickish judgement on whether he considers that an emergency or not. I get why you consider it important that you help you Aunt move, but you've *got* to have some realization that not everyone is going to have the same level of concern.

- Why would you start arguing over whether the time is covered or not, unless you really *want* to be fired? it's fine to bring this up for discussion later, or better yet, just make the assumption that it is paid, and contest it with HR later it becomes an issue. You should treat it matter of factly like why would any one else think differently? Make him justify why you *shouldn't* be paid after you clock in, not the other way around!

At this point my opinion is that you'll either be looking for a job, or having one where your boss is actively looking for ANYTHING you do that would give him a reason to cut you loose.

[u/Its-alittle-bitfunny]

Okay so good news, bad news.

Good news: he isnt going to violate your labor rights.

Bad news: it's because terminations are almost never a violation of your labor rights. Most states are at will and they can fire you on vibes if they want

[u/theawkwardotter]

I mean, you’re obviously getting fired.

If your shift starts at midnight, why couldn’t you do both? I have a feeling you were just “sleep deprived” from helping, which isn’t a legitimate reason to call in, but you seem to think it is based on your first call in.

Also, if your aunt was truly evicted with less than 24 hours notice, that’s illegal. However, I have a feeling there was more warning given than you’re leading on though.

[u/ieatmyownhands]

You texted in with no notice and called helping someone move a family emergency. You are getting fired and you handled this in the stupidest of ways. I hate workplace culture and think most managers can be micromanaging dickheads but you done goofed on this one bro. 

[u/Purple_Compote_386]

This can't be real lol

[u/Sad_Celebration_2275 → u/Purple_Compote_386]

Clueless...Boss probably got these texts and thought "I made the right decision"

[u/TemperatureAny4782]

Missing two days in your first two months is wild unless you had a serious medical issue or something. Termination makes sense.

[u/ant-master]

just so you know for the future, you should obviously aim for as few absences as possible, but during your first 90 days you should really aim for zero absences. the first couple months are crucial, you're basically making your first impression to everyone in the company. as a random person yes it's understandable to miss work to help a family member move, but as a boss i would be shocked if an employee called out for that reason. it makes it seem like you'll call out for any old reason, like you're unreliable. calling out because you're in pain from the work makes it seem like this job might not have been a good fit anyway.

in the future if you're told there's a mandatory meeting, do not counter with "but will i be paid?" you might've been just getting written up until that point but that question definitely pushed you over to getting fired. i'm not sure how old you are or if this is your first job but the way you acted is like how a teenager would who just sees it as wanting disposable income and therefore if they miss a shift or get let go, they don't see it as the end of the world. if this is your livelihood you have to make work your top priority basically. it sucks, i don't agree with it but that's how it is.

[u/bluethreads]

In the future, you can't use "I have to help my family member move" as an excuse as to why you call out of work unexpectedly. These are things you use your vacation/personal time for that you request in advance. The only acceptable reason to miss a day of work without advanced notice is when you are sick.

If you have to call out without getting prior permission, you tell them you are sick or an IMMEDIATE family member is in the hospital.

Another note - I know you're saying that helping your sick aunt move is an urgent thing - but a couple of things here - I don't know the particulars in your specific situation, but a move generally isnt something that is unexpectedly sprung upon you. You usually have months or weeks of knowledge that you are going to have to move, so you could have helped during your time off or requested a day off work. There could be particulars in your specific case that made your aunt's move an exception, but you didn't note it here. I am mentioning this because this is how your employer is likely considering this situation. It reflects negatively on you because you because it makes you appear immature and unprofessional. If also shows them that you don't prioritize your job and your responsibilities.

I am happy you helped your aunt move and I agree that helping a sick family member is a priority. But when it comes to work, there is an unspoken etiquette - and missing a day like you did for the reasons you told them violates that etiquette.

From your post, it sounds like you are trying to find reasons to find fault in your employer to justify your own unprofessionalism. Those reasons may or may not be valid, but primarily you have to look into yourself and your own professionalism and behavior to be a better employee.

[u/Adventurous-Ad-8892]

“Yeah family emergencies usually aren’t good” you come off as super passive aggressive

[u/Mattpriceisme]

I dunno, I feel like fixating on whether you’ll get paid for what’s clear is your last 30 minutes is like rearranging deck chairs on the titanic. Sorry dude!

[u/RedCat213]

You don't seem like the ideal employee TBH. Who considers moving house a family emergency? You seem so disfunctional if you give only a days notice to move house. Where was all your planning?

I would hate to have you working for me. Very unreliable. You need to work on your communication with your work place and plan your private life better.

[u/Polyethylene8]

Hi, the meeting is you getting fired. 

Many companies have policies where they're not allowed to terminate over the phone. This is why the boss is refusing to tell you the thing over the phone and insisting you come in. 

[u/Severe_Goose_4780]

You're getting canned for insubordination

[u/totally_interesting]

OP… come on man, use some sense. You said you’re “not trying to lose the job” and that you “live in a small town with very little job opportunities.” Under those circumstances, you should probably be bending over backwards for your employer, especially in this job market. I get that you don’t want to be mistreated, and that’s a rational concern. Nevertheless, I don’t see any evidence of mistreatment here. Expecting you to not miss any more than one day isn’t crazy. That’s just how the real world works bro. I’m sure he’d give you some leniency for legitimate emergencies, but your aunt moving is just not that.

Re: your question regarding whether you did anything wrong. Morally? Perhaps not. In the sense of keeping a job? Yeah, man. You already have two unexcused absences, at a place you’ve been working at for less than six months, in a job that is extremely replaceable. You say that those absences were for sleep deprivation and pain. Unfortunately, those aren’t acceptable reasons to miss work, unless the pain is actually a medical emergency. At this point it looks like you’re getting fired.

[u/Quirky_Internet_7366]

This can’t be real.

You’re getting fired, and you 100% deserve it.

[u/kk451128]

I mean, you’re right in that if you are called in outside of your normal shift for work related purposes, you need to be paid for that time. It’s not going to matter in this case, because he’s going to fire you. 60 days in and 2 callouts- check your employee handbook, if you have one, and see if it has any provisions for a probationary period, and callouts in that period, because for a lot of places, even one callout during probation can lead to dismissal.

Beyond that- you didn’t do yourself any favors going immediately to “Will I be paid for this?”, and your boss, ass or not, was right on the point of you not realizing the severity of this situation. Your definition of family emergency differed from the business’ definition, and good on you for stepping up, and not regretting your choice, but in a lot of retail environments, this type of situation is not going to qualify as a family emergency

[u/MagpieKaz]

You already got fired, friend

[u/JadedFault702]

In future, that’s not an excuse to not show up to work for almost any boss- not saying I agree, just stating the way shit is. So next time either dont give any details as to why you need to call out, just that you are, or get really graphic about how sick you are as to why you can’t come in. You’re totally getting fire so look into new jobs and unemployment.

[u/Ok-Structure6795]

What labor rights? Your boss is allowed to fire you for any reason so long as its not discrimination. And this is not discrimination.

[u/Worm_Man_]

Man you seem like a pain in the butt employee.

[u/drippy_candles]

I have nothing to add except holy shit this exchange is wild. I want to fire them myself!

[u/Emsizz]

No job would accept this reason for calling out, and rightly so.

You're worried about getting paid for going to a meeting where they are going to fire you. Your priorities are hot garbage.

If you think that you acted appropriately in this situation you are going to keep getting fired from jobs.

[u/MrCatsoup]

Ngl if I was your boss, you’re getting canned. Your excuse is not valid or an emergency.

[u/free_based_potato]

You're being fired and from what I'm reading you're not a great employee or coworker.

You've called out twice in two months for being tired and for a BS family emergency. Your aunt wasnt getting evicted at midnight.

In this case, there is no time to get coverage, so the only other employee has to carry you.

You should 100% advocate for your rights as an employee, but your focus on being paid for what is clearly a write-up, and assertion that you'll be recording the meeting is more like Freedom Auditors than someone who cares about being employed. You need to find a job with a schedule you can keep. This one is over.

[u/YolkyFanClubPrez]

This is one of the most autistic things I've ever seen.  Sorry OP.  

[u/pprincessbrii]

Idaho is an "at-will" state. They are allowed to fire you for basically anything (outside of the discrimination laws) and can (and will) label it something else.

I live in Idaho. I was fired years ago after dying my hair an unnatural color. I got written permission from my direct supervisor and the head of the department (who worked in another building) came to visit and fired me on the spot. They labeled my firing as "doesn't follow company policies and hard to work with".

[u/itsgonnamove → u/pprincessbrii]

Can I just ask why everyone always says “____ is an at-will state” or “check if your state is an at-will state” when literally every single state except Montana is an “at-will” state. I hear it all the time, and it makes it sound much less common than it actually is lmao