ULPT request: Excuse to get out of work every Saturday
Posted by justanotherfacexxx@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 101 comments
I spend Saturdays with my partner and kids. I have explained this to my manager, but she doesn’t care. I have brought it higher to her manager, and was getting every other Saturday off, but then my manager decided not to do that, and next week will be the third week in a row that I’m having to work Saturday. I just need a good excuse for why I can’t work Saturdays at all anymore. I left a note saying I am no longer able to work Saturdays anymore, but feel like I will probably be questioned on it.
IAmTheLizardQueen666@reddit
Negotiate to work two Saturdays a month and request the first and third Saturday. This year, there are 4 months with 5 Saturdays.
justanotherfacexxx@reddit (OP)
Something like that is what I tried to do. It was working at first, but my boss doesn’t like me, and decided not to continue to do it
moose_ink@reddit
During University I said I had study group Saturday mornings so I wouldn’t have to work the brunch shift. Make up something like that?
Heavy-Interaction548@reddit
"Family obligations" is a real and legal thing. Talk to a lawyer and see if you can get a big settlement.
But if you want to go home early, pretend to be sick and shove some fingers down your throat to hit your gag reflex and puke in a trash can or something. On the ground if you want extra points. They'll send you home sick. I guess you could just do that every saturday until you lawyer up and see what can happen.
HommeMusical@reddit
In the United States?
I see this here all the time. Why do people believe this? It just isn't true.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will_employment
Great idea.
This won't work. This guy works in a gas station. There is no money there to pay a lawyer. There isn't going to be some huge settlement if you win, the US doesn't work that way.
Heavy-Interaction548@reddit
It is a real thing dude. Doesn't matter if it's "just a gas station job." A good lawyer will not take your case unless they know they will win and you don't get charged until after you get your settlement.
https://www.nisarlaw.com/blog/2025/june/frd-claims/
https://garrisonlaw.com/family-responsibilities-discrimination/
These are only two lawyers but as you can see it is real and something that can be sued for. And the whole point is to get them to settle out of court before any hearings. A gas station barely makes any profits so they'll be more likely to settle out of court.
bjketter@reddit
You work a job where weekends are part of the deal. If you get every Saturday off your coworkers still have to work them. It's not fair to everyone else. If you can't work Saturdays, get out of retail and food service. Until then work them. If they schedule you and you no show consistently they can fire you for cause. That will mean no unemployment in most states. It will also mean no rehire which is one of the few questions most he teams will answer if called for a referral.
FunOwl2026@reddit
Tell your boss you converted to Judaism.
nochinzilch@reddit
You don’t need an excuse. Unless working on Saturdays was part of the job requirements when you got hired.
Tell them you are not available to work on Saturdays. If they schedule you to work on Saturday, tell them you will not be there. Then follow through.
HommeMusical@reddit
Are you not familiar with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will_employment ?
I would believe that if OP did this, it would be almost certain that they would lose their job.
justanotherfacexxx@reddit (OP)
I do live in an at will state, but my manager doesn’t want to fire me. She doesn’t want me to be able to get unemployment. She is trying to get me to quit
HommeMusical@reddit
I'm sure you're right. Never, ever quit!!
If you are prepared to lose the job, you've got to very politely refuse to quit. Send them a very nice email: "I need this job; I like this job [even if this is a lie]; I want to keep this job; but I cannot work on Saturdays, it is literally impossible for me. Thank you for your understanding. :-)"
If they ask you to work on Saturday, again, keeping a paper trail by sending email, say, "I'm really sorry, but as I explained to you in my email of [June 1 or w/e], it is completely impossible for me to on Saturdays. Thanks for being understanding! :-)"
Oh, and this is bullshit and I'm so sorry this is happening to you. The nerve!
I moved to France last year. If a boss told someone this, that worker would literally laugh in the boss's face. Even bad bosses don't try this shit - of course, they try other shit and often get away with it, but still.
Strength, courage and good luck to you!!!
exhausted247365@reddit
They absolutely would. OP needs to work Saturdays or find another job.
i-am-foxymoron@reddit
Tell them you're Jewish and you need to observe Shabbat.
justanotherfacexxx@reddit (OP)
This might actually work as my last name is Jewish lol
Dragon_Small_Z@reddit
Your name is John Jewish?
1questions@reddit
John Jewish Jingleheimer Schmidt
TiredOldLadySays@reddit
Idk why, but this was the first thing that came to my mind.😆
Infamous_Muffin7385@reddit
That's my name too
Snoo_31427@reddit
What do they shout whenever you go out?
1questions@reddit
There goes John Jewish Jingleheimer Schmidt
araquinar@reddit
I hate you all. Haven't thought about this in years and now it'll be stuck in my head for the next 2.75 weeks.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AutoModerator@reddit
No remind me or update me nonsense.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
MangeurDeCowan@reddit
I'm not really trying to set a reminder. It was a joke.
1questions@reddit
You’re welcome! 🤣
araquinar@reddit
Dammit lol
ItsHIPAA@reddit
lalalalalalala
JupiterSkyFalls@reddit
🎶Oh oh, here she comes Watch out boy she'll chew you up Oh oh, here she comes She's a maneater....🎶
Aggravating_Act0417@reddit
His name is my name too
monkey_zen@reddit
John Jewish Jingleheimer Schmidt?
RuggedHangnail@reddit
Orlando Bloom - Mexican mother, Jewish father.
justanotherfacexxx@reddit (OP)
Exactly correct
giveahoot420@reddit
Mr Justin Otherface Jewish
EggCzar@reddit
toasterstrudelboy@reddit
Worked for me. I sweetened the pot as well for HR by mentioning that it's becoming a bigger need because my mother in law was in poor health and thus I needed to be observing shabbat with her.
Dropitlikeitscold555@reddit
So you technically wouldn’t be lying. “I’m Jewish and I go to synagogue on Saturday.” Two correct phrases in one sentence
Guilty_Objective4602@reddit
Or 7th Day Adventist.
kdollarsign2@reddit
A lot of religions observe the Sabbath! Islam has a version of this
MaintenanceCareful37@reddit
Just be careful with this one as you wouldn't be able to work Friday after dusk either. Unless you done want to work that shift also, in which case - win, win!
FuzzyJury@reddit
Right? And dependent on how knowledgeable your boss is about Judaism, you might have to commit to way more than you expected, ie, keeping track of the Jewish lunar calendar and our holidays so that you don't accidentally work on a holiday that has a "yom tov," a holy day where work is prohibited, some of the more famous ones being Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
And maybe be prepared to be assumed to be on duty for Christmases and/or other federal holidays. I grew up Orthodox Jewish and am still more observant than average, like my daughter goes to a preschool that goes by the Jewish holiday calendar and so did I growing up, so we usually have school/work on all the other holidays that most people take off in exchange for the shabboses and Yom Tovs where we can't work - ie, my daughter just had preschool on Memorial Day since they just had off for Shavuous (yep, another Jewish holiday most people haven't heard of, lol). So be prepared to do some deep method acting here if you go this route!
Also, I am very much reminded right now of that Curb Your Enthusiasm episode where Larry David figures out that his lawyer basically faked being Jewish for years. One of my favorite episodes, lol. Also, on 30 Rock, when Josh's agent tried to negotiate his contract to include, "and every Jewish holiday off, no matter how ridiculous," and it ends with him only getting off the holiday of Sukkot ("Josh can stay, but no raise, no movies, and only one Jewish holiday. What's that one where they go into tents?" "Sukkot!" "Ok, that one.").
Other than that, welcome to the tribe my dude, just making sure you got your bases covered.
alek_hiddel@reddit
This. Thou shalt not toileth on the sabbath. My job has mandatory on-call on a weekly rotation, 24x7. Except for one asshole that claimed this, and never had to work a Saturday or be on-call.
share-cropper@reddit
well does he actually observe sabbath
alek_hiddel@reddit
He was an absolute shitbird of an employee. We track our time with tickets. When they finally fired him, he had averaged 20 hours of OT per week for like 6 months, and cut enough tickets to account for roughly 3 hours of his time during that entire span. The moment they started investigating him he immediately dropped the race card on one of the sweetest people managers that I've ever worked with. Like literally started the conversation with "this is because I'm black, right?".
So I'm gonna wager that all of it was bullshit.
Heavy-Interaction548@reddit
Honestly, he robbed the company blind basically. And they didn't even know it until after he left.
share-cropper@reddit
lol yeah sounds like he didnt
munkymama@reddit
My older Bro turned down a six figure job because it required on call one Saturday a month. A few weeks later tho he got even a better job! Is sabbath observant sorts are a rare breed but we are generally honest and hard working. We are grateful for jobs that don't require Saturdays.
GoodGoodGoody@reddit
Have the day off for work is nice but games for getting around shabbat are quite intricate. https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-gentiles-guide-to-cheating-the-shabbat/
ThisOneFuqqs@reddit
Explain how I'm misstating the Constitution.
Beck943@reddit
This would do it. As long as you're willing to work on Sundays 🙂
f1ve-Star@reddit
Get a different job. Quit risking being fired over this. At best your raises and promotions will be limited. Good to see you prioritizing life over work.
justanotherfacexxx@reddit (OP)
I work at a supermarket gas station. For 3 yrs. The only raises I get are the yearly inflation ones, and I’m not gonna get a promotion. I’m trying to find a new job, but due to the low market and the fact that I don’t have a license rn makes it really hard
f1ve-Star@reddit
I don't understand. What country are you in? No driver's license but you have kids? Work on yourself. Build your skills. Until then, work Saturdays.
HommeMusical@reddit
My parents raised my sister and me just fine without a car.
Given that internal combustion engines are one of the biggest forces destroying our ecosystem, in which our kids are supposed to live, your comment is extremely tone deaf.
Don't be so arrogant. Show some compassion. Don't order people around. ;-)
Do better in general.
f1ve-Star@reddit
You sound like someone who uses AI for someone to talk to and flirt with.
HommeMusical@reddit
When your own answer to someone's rational argument is an insult, you make it clear to everyone that you simply have no argument at all.
In fact, I'm totally against AI in every form and never ever use it. I think it's the worst sh1t ever.
Why would I get some crapbag AI to write for me? I like writing to express myself.
I read a lot of books; I write a lot; you should try it.
You should try to also to show compassion and respect for others on the Internet, particularly people like OP who are going through a bad time. One day that person may be you.
justanotherfacexxx@reddit (OP)
The US. To be fair, I’m in an age gap relationship, and they are technically my partners kids. I can drive, I have my permit, the testing is just done in a larger town, that I’m not quite comfortable with yet, so I need some more practice there
f1ve-Star@reddit
Age gap relationships are fun as long as the power dynamic is consensual. If you are not the main breadwinner, and are the youth in the age gap, things are different. I thought you were trying to raise a family working at a gas station with no hope for a good raise or promotion. Still, try to get out of that situation, your boss sounds horrible.
justanotherfacexxx@reddit (OP)
I’m definitely trying to get a new job
nikc4@reddit
Jesus what a demeaning comment.
You understand there are reasons to not have a license? Lemme go work on myself until my epilepsy is cured. Then when I'm done having chronic medical conditions I can spend time with my family.
Kimsetsu@reddit
Had to scroll too far for this. Everyone says don’t show up as if that doesn’t just get someone fired. I know this isn’t a fun recommendation, but if you can’t work saturdays, get a job that doesn’t require you to work saturdays.
HommeMusical@reddit
Because jobs are simply trivial to find, and nearly all of them are good /sarcasm ?
Deep-Sea6802@reddit
Hate to say it, but if you're retail, the expectation is that you will work some Saturdays. I'm sure you aren't the only one annoyed by this. Suggest a rotation schedule - but mention it to your other coworkers first so THEY will start questioning boss about it. Then approach boss and manager at the same time. This helped in my case. Once the manager saw we had been talking, she caved a bit.
threeheadedfawn@reddit
There’s nothing you can say. They will know why regardless of the reason and if will effect your work life. Time to look for a new job with saturdays off.
odebus@reddit
Become 7th Day Aventis so you can retain your Christian hegemony privileges and get Saturdays off.
_blueberrybrown_@reddit
the only thing that might not work with this is if OP works in the health field, because it's still okay to "heal" on the Sabbath
Purlz1st@reddit
But don’t let them see you eat pork or shrimp.
kannellini@reddit
Or drink alcohol or smoke
_blueberrybrown_@reddit
Good point!! Kellogg's cereal only XD
kittensms96@reddit
And dirty sodas
petrified_eel4615@reddit
"I can't work Saturdays. You can put me on the schedule, but I'm not going to be here."
TheRealOKCBomber@reddit
"You're on the schedule for Saturday. If you're not here, it'll be considered absenteeism and you will be reprimanded accordingly."
nikc4@reddit
"this was already discussed with your boss, why are you overriding their decisions?"
petrified_eel4615@reddit
catfromthepaw@reddit
Folks of real descent, practice and observation should object to these suggestions.
The Israeli government is targeting people enough right now.
Be well, be real, be careful.
Find another job where Saturday is not required, make an agreement with the company that you're not available Saturday, or work Saturdays.
It's called work for a reason.
HommeMusical@reddit
Finding new jobs isn't by any means a trivial matter these days.
OP already tried this.
Apprehensive_Hat8986@reddit
Just don't show. If they call and complain, "what part of 'NO' is unclear?" and hang up.
HommeMusical@reddit
OP would certainly lose their job.
crash866@reddit
Convert to the Jewish faith. Saturday is their sabbath.
Dramatic_Phraser@reddit
Friday is Shabbat.
FuzzyJury@reddit
Friday from sunset to Saturday to when three stars appear in the night sky, to be exceedingly accurate, lol.
Hagaroo48@reddit
Yes, but no.
fartinmyfuckingmouth@reddit
Specify “religious reasons” ONLY or get another fucking job that respects your duly necessary days off.
Mister_Silk@reddit
Figure out which religions use Saturday as the sabbath and pick one.
miseeker@reddit
I worked with a guy that pulled that. It didn’t work. HR came out and said we work seven days a week we don’t recognize any religion. It was true.
kenda1l@reddit
At least they were consistent across the board. It's annoying just how many businesses close on Sundays and Christian holidays but won't make accomodations for any other religion.
miseeker@reddit
I agree. It was an intense highly paid factory job, 7 days a week for months on end, often 12 hours. Crazy. But you knew that when you took the job.when I got tired of it I quit lol.
Substantial-Rain-602@reddit
We aren’t Jewish, but my daughter is and so is her husband’s family. We’ve had to have him write a “letter from the rabbi” in order for us to miss school and work in order for us to attend some things.
Dasrule@reddit
Make it more expensive for them to have you work on Saturdays. “I don’t own my car, it’s my partners car. I don’t make enough money to get my own car. If you buy me a car I can come in on Saturdays”.
kenda1l@reddit
I wish shit like this worked. When I was in college I was working a retail job along with several of my other college friends so I usually carpooled with them since I didn't have one of my own. Thanksgiving rolled around and everyone but me and one other girl went home so she was the only car left. I tried explaining this to my boss and asked if she could schedule us during the same shifts whenever possible. Nope. Her answer was to get a cab to and from work each day because literally none of our shifts lined up. The cost of the cab rides was more than half of what I would have been making so I told her sorry, but if you can't move things around a little to help, I'll just have to stay home on the days I don't have a ride. After a good 20 minutes of screaming at me for not being a good team player over the holidays I told her I guess I'm done being a team player and quit. I'd love to say that she called me back and apologized or offered to figure something out but in reality, this was a shitty min wage retail job. She reassigned my shifts to other people, including the girl I was trying to get rides with, then told everyone that I was selfish and that's why they had to work overtime.
Joke's on her, within 2 months all 4 of the people from school who were working there walked out because of various levels of bullshittery she put them through. I was just the first rat off the sinking ship.
PleasantProblem5877@reddit
Say your partner works Saturdays and you need to watch the kids.
psiprez@reddit
Nope. He would be told to arrange childcare, like every other person with kids does.
Junior_Ad_3301@reddit
Easy peasy. You let your manager know you can't do it. Not their business why. If you're an asset as it seems, the smart move will be to honor your wishes. Of you really need to make excuses, you need to look for a better job
Leftover_tech@reddit
To Whom It May Concern,
Recently, one of my children was stricken with a terminal illness. Due to our lack of employer-funded medical insurance, we were unable to utilize nearby commercial medical facilities. A neighbor referred us to an area shaman who agreed to help on a sliding scale fee arrangement.
Sadly, little Wolfie did not survive the initial course of treatment. Out of the goodness of his heart, the shaman arranged for Wolfgang to be interred in a local pet cemetery to contain our immediate expenses and grant us some small hope that our littlest angel might be revived from time to time.
It has now been thirty days and we have established that he "animates" shortly before dawn on Saturday mornings and can remain with us until nearly midnight.
This highly unusual situation has led to my husband's temporary incarceration. Children's Services will relent once they realize that this is a religious liberty issue.
This leaves only me to look after little Wolfie on Saturdays.
I'm sorry, but you can see that this will necessitate a modification of my schedule. Specifically, I would ask to be excused from Saturday shifts for the foreseeable future
Also, we are investigating the issue of establishing "zombie parent" as a recognized disability under federal ADA rules.
munkymama@reddit
This is so much better than Sabbath observant. Lol
tf9623@reddit
Plumbing. Some issue like leaking and need to replace hot water heater. Pipe broken in the wall. Broken pipe in attic leaking in garage. I've actually had all of these things happen and nobody ever gives you a hard time if you tell them that.
have2gopee@reddit
Just tell them that you don't roll on Shabbos
cpkuske@reddit
Maybe your manager is Jewish, if you play that card. She doesn’t like Saturdays so you’ve been alerted.
127-0-0-1_Chef@reddit
Explosive diarrhea.
cocobear13@reddit
This is definitely if you have taco bell on Friday nights!
grae23@reddit
Your child has a weekly appointment on saturdays that you must take them to, you are unsure when they will be no longer necessary (it’s with you at the park getting ice cream and will happen until you die)