Do we have to change their schedule?

Question: An employee let us know they got a part-time job and would like to change their hours. Do we have to change their schedule?

Answer from Lisa, PHR: No. An employee wanting to change their hours because they got a second job is not something you’re required to accommodate. Even so, we wouldn’t recommend immediately giving the employee an ultimatum to keep working their current schedule or resign. Instead, we’d suggest talking with your employee about different options to see what you can make work. They may have some scheduling flexibility with their new job. One of their coworkers at your organization may be willing to change or swap their shift. There may also be additional shifts with your organization they could work instead of seeking additional income elsewhere.

If you exhaust these options and are still unable to accommodate the employee’s requested schedule change, you may just need to tell the employee no and let them decide what to do.

This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local laws.

Lisa is a career copy editor and writer and has been editing HR and employment law copy for almost 20 years. She occasionally writes on HR topics, has been published in Quartz, and was recently interviewed for an article published in Business Insider. She received her PHR in February, 2021.

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