I worked at my hourly job in Texas for about 8 months before things took a turn. Two months ago, we experienced a major technology failure that led to a significant reduction in operations. Since then, my hours have been cut by more than half, and the management has even encouraged employees to take unpaid time off. In the last two weeks, I only worked two days each week. Recently, I had to take two weeks off for a necessary surgery, which was approved by my managers. I was set to return this week but discovered that I'm not on the schedule at all. It looks like the crew is full, and those who usually get fewer shifts are now taking the hours I would have had. When I reached out to my manager, she mentioned that they are low on shifts and my availability might not align with what's available, which doesn't seem to add up based on their usual scheduling patterns. She also mentioned that the Assistant Store Manager is still working on the schedule, but it’s already posted and typically doesn’t change. There was no clear solution or timeline for when things might improve. I've always been a reliable employee and have received positive feedback from my managers, even hints about potential promotions. Now, I’m left wondering if I’m being quietly fired. With my recent surgery, I need to ensure I can meet my payment obligations and support my child. I've started applying for new jobs, but it’s challenging to find something quickly in this area. I heard that having drastically reduced hours could qualify me for unemployment benefits, so I'm considering applying. I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing.