Mandatory Overtime w/o Advance Notice

This was a long day for me, and some others in rides from what I overheard others saying. I think it's extremely terrible employer tactics to enforce mandatory overtime without some sort of notification.

At 10 til 5, we were transferring the 3rd train off at Corkscrew. I was ready to go home and eat supper, since my fiancee got off at 5, and since I hadn't ate or had a break since noon. Then just as we're about to leave, we're told that we have to stay until 8 or 9.

I know we have to deal with it, and I know it's not going to change, but it's unfair, unreasonable, and tonight...it was quite pointless. We STOOD THERE with nothing to do for an hour and a half before they let us go home.

I think that they need to realize we have lives other than work. I have a piece of paper that says I work until 5. If you tell me the night before that I'll be working til 8 or 9, ok, cool. I can go home tonight and change my plans, make the calls, pack a bigger lunch, bring a few bucks for the vending machines, get some more sleep...

Telling me as I prepare to walk out the door is inexcusable for a company that has such an effective full time staff. The staff gets the job done, so it wouldn't be too much to ask to plan ahead just a little so employees can continue to exist in society and not become park fixtures.

Just needed to vent, thanks. I'd also like to hear your take on mandatory overtime w/o notice.

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Alan
PTC02/ScrewCrew02
ScrewCrew03

Man this is what I get to look forward to? J/k. Before the season has even started and employees have complaints! Not saying yours isn't valid or anything, I just find it humoruos and uninvitting (sp?) to look forward to.

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Thunder Canyon 2003

Make Love Not War.

Yeah, stating that you are staying extra hours is not the coolest. . .especially if you would have been reprimanded if you said, "I am sorry, I have another engagement, I have to leave. I cannot work these 3 extra hours."

I don't know about Cedar Point. . .but at Gap, where I work, they kind of skirt around that by having you scheduled from, say, 12-9, but having you "on call" from 10-11. Now, in my two years with the company it's been rare for someone to get called in early, like, forced to come in, or forced to stay over the scheduled shift.

I don't know how CP works that. . .but hopefully that kind of thing doesn't happen super often! It could get annoying. . .

EDIT: I suppose I should say that I am the kind of person who really wouldn't care. . .I always end up working more than I have been scheduled. But that's just me. I can fully understand how someone would get upset if their schedule is not worth the paper it's printed on.

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Rachel: Hi Pheebs.
Phoebe: Hi!
Rachel: Hi! I just want to apologize. I’m really sorry I was a baby.
Phoebe: That’s ridiculous Rachel, we were all babies once. . .Oh, you mean today!
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*** This post was edited by LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 4/30/2003 10:37:07 PM ***

Last year that never happened to me. I think once or twice I offered to stay overtime, but we always got cut backs. Almost every night when breaks were done, people would get to go home early.

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Brent Haley
Gemini Crew '02 & '03


CrazyCoasterGuy said:
Man this is what I get to look forward to? J/k. Before the season has even started and employees have complaints! Not saying yours isn't valid or anything, I just find it humoruos and uninvitting (sp?) to look forward to.

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Thunder Canyon 2003

Make Love Not War.


Well, let me tell you this. Having worked on TC for 4 seasons I know a few things and one of them is that the TC and snake crew almost never have to stay durring the season untill close because of lack of riders. So, you'll get your time out early. Also, at the begining of the season when it's still slightly chilly, they'll send the hole crew home. Some people stay and work elsewhere but, in my experiences, it's been optional. Yes, the water rides are the best to work on. Great scenery too, if you know what I mean. (Ask Red Garter Rob about that one.)

Bryan

I've only experienced this on a few occasions, but it never really bothered me all that much. I geuss something about living in the same place you work makes extra hours not seem like such a bad thing.

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Joe Cool's Merch 2002
Macaroni's 2003

TC Bryan....I would expect the EYE CANDY to be good senery! Thanks For the info.!

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Thunder Canyon 2003

Make Love Not War.

I am not sure but since your work schedule is written or oral and you agree to it, and if it is changed with out your consent that seems like a federal case if you want to make one...i wouldnt but thats what I have been told as a manager in the past.
Don't be afraid, it won't happen like this when the season starts nearly as often as it does now. However, I will say there were a number of days at ONE of my rides last year where my schedule said open to 6, and I'd come in that day with plans made for that night and they'd have scratched out the "6" with a "C" for closing. It happened like that at LEAST once a week for 2 months straight.

When I transferred to the OTHER ride, it never happened at all. Not even once. While I won't go into negatives on scheduling, I'll say that Naomi rocked on making schedules last year!

Don't let my need to whine get you down on the job, it's great here. If you're not prepared to work alot of hours, get prepared...but otherwise, it's alot of fun and you should really enjoy it. Just wanted to make sure you knew not to worry :-)

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Alan
PTC02/ScrewCrew02
ScrewCrew03


redbrigade said:
I am not sure but since your work schedule is written or oral and you agree to it, and if it is changed with out your consent that seems like a federal case if you want to make one...i wouldnt but thats what I have been told as a manager in the past.

That is not the case since EVERY employee interview includes a question asking about this specific issue and they have your response on file. I am sure that it was that it would be "ok" with you, but again i don't know.

Sometimes 'leadership' staff doesn't know until just before you are scheduled to leave whether they need you to stay or not. It sucks but it is the business that you have gotten, especially with staffs not full yet. It will happen less once the season picks up.

John

Obviously I did not complain in my time at the point, as I was always asked. Never refuse a mission lol!
I understand the frustration with leadership about this topic, it is annoying sometimes to have all of your plans thrown into the 'crapper' because your schedule got changed. My first year in Traffic Control it happened a few times but not that often, but if everyone will let me share a realization that I have had in my time at CP. The higher up I have gone in the leadership area the MORE this happens. At least in our department leadership (TL's, Sups, Managers) are asked to make a lot of sacrafices.

I will take yesterday for instance. We had crew that started at 4am because of the Media day, half of our leadership staff came in then. Our manager didn't completely get away from CP (except for a few breaks) until 9pm. I personally worked from 6:45am - 9:30pm without a break, because that is what I had to do to make sure my people got all the training that they will need for this weekend.

Later in the season it will not be unusual for me to have to stay several hours after each shift, or to work positions to cover breaks, and so forth. Do I understand the frustration at having my schedule completely depend on how busy the day is? Yes absolutely, and I would be willing to wager that most of your Supervisors understand too. If they ask you to stay over there is either 1) a reason or 2) they are still learning so please stay pastient.

John
____________________
Traffic Op Supervisor 2003

who knows the number to park op?

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Cedar Point...my anti-drug

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