Double-Shift Double-Trouble
(I’m half way through a day shift; the only guy doing the night shift has just rang in sick.)
Boss: “Hey, [My Name] can you come back in tonight and cover for [Coworker]?”
Me: “Do my shift and his?”
Boss: “Sorry, but we have no one else.”
Me: “I guess, but this is going to be pretty tough. Do I have to do the full 12 hours?”
Boss: “Yes. Go home now and come back, please.”
(Reluctantly I agree, I manage a few hours sleep before coming back to work. I consider that it is helping the company so I get on and struggle through.)
Manager: “What are you doing here?”
Me: “Oh, I, err, I’m covering the shift.”
Manager: “That’s not good enough!”
Me: *confused* “Sorry, what?”
Manager: “You’ve broken company rules; you’re not supposed to be here!”
Me: “What? I was asked to! What I am supposed to do?”
Manager: “Just go home and come back in tomorrow for your normal shift.”
(I ended up being totally exhausted and losing pay. When I got back in the following morning, I get told off again, first for not completing my shift. When I explained why, I got told off for not knowing the company policy!)