Why hassle me? I work when I'm scheduled

If you work in a professional environment with skilled workers, if you make a good wage and are taken care of- that’s part of a “big boy” job- that’s the point of salary- the real point. Your schedule is XYZ- but you are necessary and not easily replaced or substituted. That means you are expected to work over time or come in on days off when needed- and so long as the requests aren’t unreasonable or your pay factors that in.

Retail and similar workers are generally not treated like or considered skilled and crucial workers by their employers. For $8,$10 an hour- especially an hourly worker- you signed up for your scheduled shifts. Anyone that expects you to behave like you’re a corporate salaried employee- but not treat you like one... is a moron. You have to treat your employees with balance- you can’t pay them and treat them like a bunch of children with perks and trust and then expect mature responsibility and commitment.

Ultimately we each decide our balance. Never taking shifts out of spite is childish. Using sick days or refusing to cover as a form of payback is childish and unprofessional. Not being able to cover a shift is legitimate. There is a level of professionalism in any job- a level of integrity and work ethic of a “decent person,” but anything beyond that? You need to make it worth your employees time- treat them right, don’t screw them. You’re in business to make money- they work for you to make money. Don’t expect them to make you money if you don’t make them money.