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The fact that they are asking you to resign or voluntarily reduce your hours means that they likely cannot do so based on their own policies. You need to fully read and understand what the policies are.

They can't demand that you be available any time 24/7, its a retail job so there must be general business hours and probably something about minimum length of a shift, assuming you are paid hourly.

What is the conflict like between your teaching job and what they want you to work? Are you teaching 1 hour every day or are there only 1 or 2 days you teach and need to adjust a shift around?

I wouldn't agree to anything. Let them make the move to reduce hours or terminate you since then you are able to claim unemployment.

I teach two days a week in the mornings for a total of 6 hours a week, half of that isn’t even during business hours. Again, it’s never been an issue before.

I’m an hourly retail employee, yes. The “Availabilty Best Practices” states, “Fulll time associates are required/asked to provide open availabilty.” Farther down it adds, “If the associate did not previously have open availabilty, and we are requesting the change based on the business needs, we recommend the associate receive a minimum of 30 days to make arrangements to their personal schedules to accommodate the open availabilty request… Leaders may also approve deviations from open availabilty.”

If you refuse to decide, I imagine they will just reduce your hours to part time, no? Also, it sounds like they are trying to get rid of you, either because they perceive you’re no longer a good employee, or for budgetary reasons…

Sounds like they want to get rid of you but don't want to pay unemployment so are giving you these choices to get you to quit instead. That might be considered constructive dismissal but I am not sure. I would research that else say no to both options and force them to fire you.

Unfortunately it sounds like they want to wear you down till you quit. I would tough it out and look for something else.

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They're trying not to pay unemployment by saying reduce your hours or we'll fire you after bringing out a policy book they haven't bothered with for the years before. Not a good look for them.

People companies can write whatever they want in a manual or a contract, but if it isn't enforceable under state law, they can wipe their *ss with that paper. You need some input from an employment attorney or 10. My inclination would be to make them fire me, tho.

That’s interesting actually :)

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Don't take legal or life advice from an anonymous message board.

Lol, that's the softest, non-legally binding language ever. "best practices" are not requirements. I agree with OP, don't respond and let them try to make a move

Except the advice not to.

“Required/asked” — one helluva vague rule. At least Tchotchkes has a set minimum number of minimum pieces of flair.

Could be a good time to contact a lawyer.

They want OP to do if willingly so it’s not constructive dismissal.

Otherwise OP could apply for unemployment. Which would ultimately cost them money.

It’s fair game, virtually every company will ask someone to quit before laying them off. Even if only 1% fall for it, that’s free savings.

Seems like this is an opportunity for professional growth! Seek staff and tenure-track faculty positions in Higher Education. You’ll make more, potentially have hybrid options, and there’s more room for growth. Don’t cut yourself short and get hung up on what feels comfortable.

If you cringe at the Gamestonk clowns, check out this dude's post history. Yikes.

Another example of how the service/retail industry treats its workers and then bitch about not being able to hire staff and the work ethic of current staff.

You sound intelligent. Read the writing on the wall. Go get a new job with a raise! My response...see ya!

Tell them to provide this to you in writing - then take that to an employment attorney for advice. Since this has been your schedule for over 2 years, and they hired you already knowing about your teaching commitments, they can't suddenly pull out the rug.

I had an employer try something similar on me - I recorded the conversation with HR, and then let corporate know and the HR person was escorted from the building shortly thereafter (and I was never bothered again).

Precisely.

Waiting to hear back from two!

Make them fire you so you can get unemployment or reduce hours and look for a new job so you can keep their reference