Minimum Wage, Minimal Reasons To Stay

My best friend is getting married, and I’d booked the day off about six months previously so l could go. A week before the wedding:

Me: “Uh, [Boss]? The schedules are out for next week, and I’m on them.”

Boss: “So?”

Me: “I’m off next week. I’ve had it scheduled off since December last year.”

Boss: “No, you didn’t.”

Me: “I have a text history from me to you, showing me requesting it, and you approving it.”

Boss: “Well, you know how the schedules are flexible. You need to be here next week.”

Me: “No. I will be in New England next week as the maid of honor for my best friend’s wedding. Flights and accommodations are booked, and my dress was not cheap.”

Boss: “You’re coming in next week, or you’re not coming in ever again.”

Me: “Do you honestly think I’m going to choose this $9 an hour retail job over missing my best friend’s wedding?!”

Boss: “They’ll post it on Instagram, won’t they? Just look at those pictures.”

Me: “You know what? I was going to miss some of the early wedding prep and parties this week because I was being considerate and only taking four days off. I’m done. I’m out of here today. Bye.”

Boss: “What? Wait. Let’s see about getting you two days off next week—”

Me: “—I said, bye. I’ll be back after the wedding for my final paycheck.”

Boss: “Well, good luck finding another job in this economy!”

Me: “Another $9 an hour job in retail? You don’t get it, do you? This job is crappy enough that it holds no power over me, so neither do you. See you in a couple of weeks.”

I walked out of there, mind clear, and happy to attend every event of that wedding. When I got back to town, I found a retail job within a week, a few blocks closer to home, and for $10.50 an hour! Also, they were still hiring, so I told my ex-coworkers about it and spurred a mass exodus. 

None of this would have happened if I’d been left off the schedule…