I understand having scheduled certain people to work based on their strengths… but people have lives, man. Things happen. We get tired, or sick, or we need to take a day to just not kill over. If the boss cared that much about the people they scheduled they might want to give people a more consistent schedule.

Partners are expected to work a certain percentage of their scheduled shifts. If I remember correctly, when it's all calculated out it's near 75%. When shifts are being given away excessively the SM does have the ability to give that partner a write-up, especially if it effects business (i.e., a more experienced partner is getting shifts covered by newer partners) or it effects the team (i.e., there isn't sufficient communication about the swaps). That being said, however, it shouldn't be an issue unless it's excessive. I would suggest talking to your SM about the number of days you work in a row and about the number of days off you would prefer. Be clear about what you want in your schedule and then give it some time to reflect on upcoming schedules. Encourage your other partners to do the same if they believe they have the same issue. If it continues to be a problem, then consider setting up a time to talk with your DM about feeling unhappy with your schedule.
I hope that helps a little... And I'd love to hear about how your conversation goes if you decide to talk with your manager. Open communication goes a long way!

Its against the law to work 7 days report it

(Disclaimer: Former partner, not up to date on how the electronic shift swap stuff works) Some of it really depends on the severity / how common it is. When people are trading shifts every now and then, that's totally fine. But when it's constant, you're changing the levels of strength on the shift, if shifts aren't being communicated correctly, if it's people from other stores- it can be pretty rough at the store. I had one barista I really liked but went through phases where she's get 3+ shifts a week covered for maybe 2-3 weeks - good that she got it covered, but having a borrowed partner or someone who didn't work that day-part on every shift (even before any other issues with call outs, etc) was hard on the team. It can take up a lot of time in confusion if someone's late or a schedule is miscommunicated too.


At least when I worked it was normal to work 7 days straight. If you work 5 days a week and don't have a consistent schedule, it kind of ends up that way. Some states and cities have laws against it, some don't. Talk to your SM if it isn't something that works for your schedule.

LMAO! Your manager would HATE me. I've been giving shifts out left and right because I've been dealing with family issues.

She's a control freak and I'd ask her point blank what her problem is. If she doesn't chill the fuck out I'd go over her head to the DM.

I'm so damn thankful for my SM being awesome. These stories here just make me cringe.

If the SM is actually scheduling correctly (like not 7 days straight and thoughtful purpose behind who gets scheduled when according to skill set and availability) then it’s a disrespectful as it takes a lot of time and effort to writer one. There is also the fact that if there are call outs then there is less of a chance getting it covered. But it sounds like your SM isn’t doing their due diligence with schedules and you are having to self correct for their short comings. Like others have said I would reach out to DM, especially if they decide to write people up.

No, there is no written rule either way. I'd suggest talking to your DM about your concerns.

You have a manager ?

I transferred and at my old store the manager was similar. It was so unbelievably frustrating. They were pissed when anyone wanted to swap shifts for different things that hd come up, life happens. They would yell at us that the schedule was the schedule and that was that. So when people needed to swap and they weren’t approving any swaps, they would just end up calling out and we would be down a person. It was such an issue. I get they make the schedule but people try to swap to prevent calling out and sometimes things really do come up. I would reach out to the DM if the manager continues being an issue. My new store doesn’t have an issue with swaps or giving up shifts at all. As long as they’re posted and claimed in the app. If it can’t be done on the app you just message them directly and most of the time there isn’t an issue.

The problems I've come across with not approving switched shifts is usually about labor laws. Like minors trying to work before 7am or people getting overtime with a switched shift. But besides those specific things in addition to what others are saying it should be allowed. But that is why it's usually good to run it past either a shift or a manager first