We have same issue on my schedule. I have three associates with unavailable days. For the last 6 months I have had to alter the schedule to get them those days off. I don't officially write the schedule but do correct it after it has been printed out. Speak to your Department manager or CSM or store manager.
Our contract only allows us to have one day unavailable a week. Go into Eschedule and make sure that day is still marked as unavailable. There should be a check mark box to make it permanent. There should also be a way to see if it has been approved or if it is pending. I think if it is pending, it will be ignored. The person that writes your schedule needs to manually approve it. Write them a polite note asking them to approve it. Some schedule writers want a reason for needing that day off regularly like a school schedule or something. Others will allow it without question.
Op here. Its not the entire day that I am unavailable. I only have slightly redtricted hours on weekdays and available 7 days a week. My availability only allows me to work 4a-9pm however I was scheduled from 5p-11p. My availability is listed as a 'permanent' change and is accepted in eschedule.
I've also had a coworker who was only unavailable from midnight-noon who was scheduled 8a-1a. And they have similar circumstances in which the availability is approved in eschedule as a permanent change.
Op here. Its not the entire day that I am unavailable. I only have slightly redtricted hours on weekdays and available 7 days a week. My availability only allows me to work 4a-9pm however I was scheduled from 5p-11p. My availability is listed as a 'permanent' change and is accepted in eschedule.
I've also had a coworker who was only unavailable from midnight-noon who was scheduled 8a-1a. And they have similar circumstances in which the availability is approved in eschedule as a permanent change.
I have never used the eschedule program so I am not exactly sure how it works. It decides when the store needs people and plugs them into that spot on the schedule. It is supposed to give the schedule writer a flag if there is a conflict with unavailability. Then, the schedule writer is supposed to change it around. I am starting to think unavailability is purposely being ignored because of lack of new hires.
I would like to start writing the schedule for my crew. Next week, I have 7 out of 9 people scheduled when I only need 5 to get the work done. 6 would be nice if Elms would allow it.
Ask the Department manager or store manager to change it. If either tells you no, speak with your shop steward. Some people say they can't force you to work outside of availability. Others say "needs of the business", you lose. I will try to give my coworkers their unavailable days off and will ask before I schedule them on it.
