The importance of planning – Asking for a regular roster/shift
To successfully combine school with casual work, you need to be able to plan for regular work with some certainty, and also get the flexibility you need to change shifts if necessary. This could be because you have a big exam or assessment or assignment or other school commitment coming up.
A good employer will take this into account, and a good employee will give plenty of notice to their boss so that they can take account of your needs when planning rosters and shifts.
When and how to say, “No thanks”
Occasionally you may need to say “thanks, but no thanks” to your boss when asked to take on a shift. You need to make sure you are polite when declining a shift. Be clear about your reasons and make sure you only decline shifts for valid reasons like needing to complete a school assignment or study for an exam. If you face any difficulty, ask a responsible person for help. As a casual worker you should think carefully about how you respond and how your message is received. Seek extra help if you need to.
You might also need to swap shifts with your workmates from time to time. You need to check with your employer whether there are any procedures for doing this, and make sure that you give plenty of notice.
The Time Tamer on this site has a tool for helping you to arrange shift swaps with your friends, and if your employer is happy to receive emails, it allows you to send an email from the site.