I had a similar experience years ago: I worked at a Mucking company with 'poor leadership'. Other than that they were OK . I ran a muck there until I just couldn't take it anymore; poor leadership I mean, not running amuck. Sorry about that. By 'that,' I mean, 'it,' the demonstrative pronoun in the previous sentence lacking a logical antecedent.

OK back to poor leadership. Now, When I say, 'other than that, they were OK." it's like saying to Mrs. Abraham, Lincoln,

'Other than THAT, Mrs. Lincoln how did you enjoy the play at Ford's theatre that night? to Mrs. Abraham Lincoln

Anyway, I was in my element: a loose canon running a muck. I quit, I did, without saying a word. They never knew how I felt What should you do? Not what I did. No don't do that. If we can't change things, maybe we can change the way we react to things, & change the feelings that long to nestle & fester in our bosom.

Leadership, partnership, pirateship, receivership, sportsmanship and even hardship. But the best ship is FRIENDship!

The best approach to any issue is to ask nonjudgmental questions. Avoid calling the schedule "unfair." Ask your supervisor how the schedule is arrived at? If seniority is the answer, ask if your supervisor thinks that's fair?

The best approach to any issue is to ask questions such as: Mr. Jones, how are the schedules developed? Avoid using the word "unfair." Let your boss explain. Unless there is a reasonable explanation, he or she may not realize there is an issue.

Hello Mrs. Lili: There is something called senority in any proffesion. Those who have been working longer get often the best schedules. What I will sugest to you is to place requests early on in the month and ascertain the importance of getting that time off, may be exchange days with other coworkers to fit a better schedule. Be greatful for your job, working in a coffee shop during the Holidays must be a lot of fun, add a little of holiday spirit to it, may be sugest some music, or something special for the clients.It is Christmas and New years season, have your friends step over for a coffee and pay you a visit, that may lite up the day. Happy Holidays!, Smile big, we are starting a New Year, and all good things start first from ourselves.Think about what will happen after work and look forward to it. Share the Spirit, and once again , Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!.

You're trying to take action without a goal! What is the goal of protesting? To be morally/ethically "right"? Create an epiphany with your supervisor that results in a re-do of the entire holiday shift schedule (negatively impacting colleagues on short notice, many with far more tenure than you)? Force a "sea change" in corporate policy? I'm not saying any of these are right or wrong, but become clear on the goal just like everything else in life. Now, what is the likelihood your goal will succeed, and will their easy reaction be firing you? Nobody up to the CEO is indispensable. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts...

PS- a friend works for a national retail chain and the corporate parent decided all stores would be open late Christmas Eve and Christmas morning until noon. The store manager required all employees (including herself) to work a 4 hour shift during that period. About as fair as it gets!

I agree it doesn't sound unfair seeing how you are admittedly the "low man on totem pole". Also those two shifts aren't the only sad ones....the people that had to work Christmas Day and New Years Eve....that sucks too...maybe it even sucks more than your shifts. Think positive kid ;)

Here's the thing: from a scheduling standpoint, it IS fair. You stated you worked Christmas Eve (with Christmas Day off), so now you have New Year's Eve off and must work New Year's day. Unless you specifically requested New Year's Day off, your only recourse is to see if one of your coworkers would be willing to switch shifts with you. Maybe you could work their early New Year's Eve shift and they could cover your hold a shift or maybe someone would be willing to work your NYD morning shift and you work their day shift. Get creative to see if you can't resolve this on your own!

ask yourself if you were in the same position and you were part of the poor management at this restaurant coffee bar what I scheduled by seniority likes and dislikes erase create a color loyalty which would you choose is the question because you've only been there 6 months and when you just starting the job you got to look forward to working on holidays you got to get some security first sweetheart don't be mad be glad you got a job and praise God then you keep it if I hear in these words to kill yourself and enjoy your holidays that you do have off God bless

Where I work, if you had a certain holiday off, you couldn't get the same one in the next year. Time off is partly based on seniority, and it tends to go by teams as well. I would discuss this with your supervisor, and if that doesn't work, then find our what the next steps are to escalate the issue. Keep looking for other opportunities and network so if this doesn't work out, you can leave gracefully knowing you did all you could.

The root cause of your pain is, in your own words, poor leadership. Your best option (and also the most difficult) would be to escalate to the next level above the store leadership. If the chain is serious about their business and reputation, they will clean house. In the meantime, you may want to explore your options.