On Call
I work in retail and we have “on call” shifts. Your name will be listed on the schedule for a certain time as a call-in, so you have to call one hour before your shift to figure out if they need you to work for the day.
For example, you would be listed as “on call for 2pm” and wouldn’t know until 1pm if you were working that evening. If you don’t call in, it’s considered “not showing up for a shift,” but there’s no extra pay for the shift whether they need you or not.
So for three days of the week, I don’t know if I have to work or not. Can’t make any solid plans to do anything except call my work and ask if they need me.
I can’t imagine having children or elderly that need taking care of because it would be such a hassle to arrange care for them just an hour before having to work. Story credit: Reddit / broimgay