Got offered a part-time stock gig at a big store over by Queens Center. They made it sound steady, but the manager kept saying the schedule goes up week to week and 'if we need you we'll text you by 8 the night before.' I asked if that meant I'm on call and he said 'basically yeah, but only some days.' Is this just how retail is now? I could've sworn NYC passed something about predictable schedules for retail and fast food. I don't need a legal battle, I just want to know if I have any ground to push back before I wind up keeping my entire week clear for a maybe shift. Anyone else seeing this?

That's not 'how it is,' that's unpaid standby with extra steps. NYC's Fair Workweek law does cover a lot of big retail and fast food employers in the city. They're supposed to give you the schedule in advance, and if they change it without enough notice they may owe you predictability pay. But a bunch of managers play dumb until someone pushes. Ask for the written policy or handbook in writing. If they won't give it to you, that tells you a lot. Also, 'we'll text you' is not a schedule.

I just started a seasonal job at a chain too and they said the same thing. I honestly thought it was normal because they told us to download the scheduling app and wait for notifications. My team lead said if I don't answer a shift I'll get less hours next week. Is that allowed? Also they said paid training is two hours, but they want us to watch a bunch of videos at home before our first day. That part felt a little off but I didn't want to be the only new guy complaining.

Nate, the home videos before you clock in are work. You should be paid for that time. If it's a chain, don't let them normalize it. For the on-call thing, save every notification and screenshot the schedule daily. If you are on the app as 'on call' or scheduled and they change it inside 72 hours, you might be owed money. The trick is they'll say a text is just a 'pickup offer,' not a posted shift. Tell them to put it on the schedule or confirm you're not required to answer. And don't believe the 'less hours' threat—they need bodies right now.

Woodhaven, that app point is key. If the text isn't on the app as a real shift, it doesn't exist to them later. I'm not looking to file anything, I just want to be able to say 'put me on the schedule or I'm not on call.' Might mention predictability pay and see how fast they change the subject.

Watch out for the 'voluntary' dodge. They'll call you at 7:50 and ask if you 'want' the 8 a.m. shift, then if you say no they'll mark it as you refused a shift. Keep a log: date, time, who called, what they offered, and what you said. If they ever retaliate by cutting your hours, that's a complaint. You don't have to threaten them with 311. Just having the log usually makes them act right.

So if I have a shift on the app and they change it to a shorter shift the day before, is that something I can say no to? My team lead said business needs can change it. I'm scared that if I complain I won't get kept after seasonal. I just need the money through January, but I also can't pay my MetroCard sitting around all day for a four-hour shift that becomes two.

Nate, if the shift was on the app and they shorten it under 72 hours, that's a change you didn't agree to. For a lot of covered workers they'd owe you at least some predictability pay or the difference depending on the situation. Don't take the team lead's word for it; call 311 or the chain's HR line and ask without giving your name first if you're nervous. Retail is way too short-staffed for you to lose your spot over wanting a real schedule.

Update: I asked for the written schedule policy and the manager just kept saying 'we run on availability, not assignments.' Wouldn't show me anything. So I turned it down. Feels like I dodged a month of standby shifts with nothing to show for it. Appreciate the sanity check, folks. Back on the hunt.