First Job - A few questions

[Jasmine85]

I recently got my first job with a pharmacy in New York. I applied for a part job position in a certain area of the store and I was told I'd only have to work a few hours a day , 3 times a week.

I started working but I found out its very impossible to work just at that one area since customers ask me where everything is at. I was asked if I could write down the aisles that different items are located in but the manager told me no..so I had to do it after work and during my lunch break.

I was only trained for 45 minutes and left on my own. I also have to do stuff that isnt in my job description like work in the stock room, work at the main cashier, etc. I don't mind doing this but now I see they have added more hours and more days to my work schedule even though they say I am part time. I just checked their website and it says that any employee working 30 + hours per week (which I am doing) are eligible for FULL TIME BENEFITS (which I am getting none of)..my question is..is this legal? to work more than 30 hours a week but only get part time benefits? I am not complaining about doing other people's jobs, but is that legal too? I always see other employees in the stock room eating pizza, taking personal calls, listening to music while its just me and 2 other employees (who are usually at the main registers) working so I am left on the floor by myself.

I also get yelled at for not completing my job when I am told to complete other people's jobs I believe that they are taking advantage of me but I wanted to know is it legal to change my schedule and add more days without my permission? These new days and hours qualify for me for working full time. I dont want to lose this job but at the same time I dont want to be taken advantage of either.

The other day, because I was only worker on the floor, a group of girls walked in and stole a bunch of stuff while I was helping a few customers. They managers asked me if I knew them or had anything to do with it and why wasnt I watching them...but I didnt know it was in my job description to be a security guard either? I was getting cash into my register, helping customers find their items, putting overstocked stuff into the stock room and stocking the shelves w/ new merchandise all at the time. I cannot believe they asked me why I wasnt watching the group of girls. Once again, I am not complaining but this is my first job and I am left all alone -- it's hard keeping up w/ everyone at the same time. I was also told to stop doing my job to cover another employee's job and when I was finished (covering the other job), the manager yelled at me for not stocking his shelves. I was very confused by this because he told me to stop doing what I was doing. I was also never given an opportunity to take a lunch break and I was working from 12:00 pm - 8:30pm...I know for sure this isnt legal right?

Also, does anyone know the maximum hours an employee is required to work part time? Or is this determined only by the company and not by the state?

[dschirtz74]

We have all been there before, I promise you. It is your first job and this is how you usually get treated. I am no expert but I know someof what your saying isn't legal.. common sense tells us that. Sometimes you just have to stick it out. Minimum wage jobs are usually that way it seems, unfortunatley. Have you though about going to college? Get a degree and then youcan be the boss. Right? Dont let your life slip away.

Hope it gets better....

[Jasmine85]

Thanks for your response & advice I guess I was naive but I never expected to get treated this way. I will stick it out though because I do want to show them that I am eager to work and that I can handle my tasks but at the end of the day, I feel so dehydrated and hungry. Most of the time, I clock in a few minutes late because I get bombarded with questions on my way from the break room to the managers office...so I think that makes me look bad too If I tell a customer, I am busy and one of the managers see's this (in person or on camera)-- it gets reported to the manager that hired me. So I try and satisfy the customer's needs first.

I am in college (my second year/business administration) and its kind of expensive. My parents pay for the tuition, school supplies, books, etc so I can use this money I make at the pharmacy to save up for myself. I am almost done with my associates degree and I plan to transfer to a 4 year college as soon as I can.

I just never thought I'd get treated this unfairly -- at the same time, I understand, I am the new girl and I don't expect anyone (who just wants their job done) to have any sympathy for me. I am more worried about the legal parts though, I am shy and afraid to speak up but I eventually will have to do it.

[Beth3]

I just checked their website and it says that any employee working 30 + hours per week (which I am doing) are eligible for FULL TIME BENEFITS (which I am getting none of)..my question is..is this legal? to work more than 30 hours a week but only get part time benefits? The company's website would only include the most basic information. The answer to your question can only be found in the company's group health Plan Document. It's quite possible for someone to be hired for 30+ hours a week and not qualify for benefits if you are in a "class" of employees that are excluded from participation. Such classes would likely include limited term employees, summer help, on call employees, temporary employees, students, employees under 18 years of age, and employees regularly working less than 30 hours per week. The Plan Doc may also specify that a temporary change in work schedule does not make an ineligible employee eligible for benefits or an eligible employee ineligible for benefits.

I am not complaining about doing other people's jobs, but is that legal too? Completely legal.

I wanted to know is it legal to change my schedule and add more days without my permission? Yes.

I was also never given an opportunity to take a lunch break and I was working from 12:00 pm - 8:30pm...I know for sure this isnt legal right? It appears you should have been provided with a 30-minute meal period. See http://www.labor.state.ny.us/busines...yer/meals.html.

Also, does anyone know the maximum hours an employee is required to work part time? Or is this determined only by the company and not by the state? That's determiend by the company.

If you think you're being stretched too thin to do a credible job on your assigned duties, then discuss that with your boss.

[Beth3]

Apparently that link is no longer working (although NY's DOL still has it listed as an information source for State law on breaks.) Try this instead: http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerp...rds/faq.shtm#7

[Jasmine85]

Thanks you very much for your answers & for the links. I was just a little confused about the whole thing.

I see now they have added an extra day to my schedule so I will be working 5 days a week now (35 hours). I guess this is due to Holloween coming up soon. I just hope that I am not left alone on the floor because I can imagine -- it will get very hectic.

I spoke to the manager about me taking a lunch break and she said that I should try and take it earlier in the day (while other employees are still working) and she had another employee remind me when to take the break.