I’m a receptionist. There’s two of us in this position. My manager approached me today as I was leaving and said that our shifts have to become staggered. One of us needs to be here until the last patient is here. On Monday-Thursday the clinic closes at 5. Fridays are a short day, and the time we close depends on how many patients we have.

If I don’t make 40 hours a week, I have to supplement the missed hours with my own PTO. (Ex: 32 hours worked means they take 8 hours of my PTO to make 40). I’m a newer employee, so I don’t have many hours banked up.

If I don’t make 40 hours a week consistently, I will be charged for my insurance premiums that are covered by the company so long as I work the full 40 hours.

My coworker works 7:30-4:30 Monday-Thursday and Friday she leaves around 12-1.

I am being told to start work 9-5 Monday-Thursday and Friday 9- whenever the last patient is. No later than 3pm.

How can I approach my boss with a solution that gets both of us 40 hours a week without using PTO? I don’t think this is fair but I don’t feel that approach will get me what I need.