Recently, a story from a guy nicknamed Promotionsguyforreal caught everyone’s attention on the Antiwork subreddit. The employee at the unnamed company explained how he spends “twelve hours every weekday laboring under the hot sun.” The problem is that for his boss, it’s far from enough.
“You’re supposed to dedicate the weekends to the job too,” the guy wrote and added that he told his boss that there’s no way he’ll work the weekend. Now, Promotionsguyforreal’s coworkers too are unhappy with him taking the weekends off, so they guilt trip him for that.
The story sheds light on the rotten-to-the-core workplace culture where the pressure to work overtime comes not only from the management but also from the burnt-out coworkers who are struggling to keep up with their job.
An employee shared how his boss wants to fire him because he only works sixty hours, while his coworkers are guilt-tripping him for taking weekends off
Image credits: Leroy_Skalstad (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Josh Olalde (not the actual photo)
Image credits: promotionsguyforreal
“Working overtime is more common in some industries and sectors than others, so obviously you should research that before you go down a particular career path and accept a job offer,” Christine Mitterbauer, a licensed career coach and serial entrepreneur, told Bored Panda in relation to this story.
“It’s not worth getting burnt out, though, and you have to be honest with yourself about how much overtime is sustainable to you. A few hours here and there might be okay, but if it’s regular and you feel forced, then it’s time to ask yourself the big questions: What’s most important to you, your job or your health/family/free time?”
Mitterbauer argues that even if a boss can’t legally fire you, they could indirectly fire you, or make your life hell. “So if you’re in such a situation, it might be worth looking for another job,” she concluded.
The story resonated with many people as they showed their support for the author and shared some thoughts in the comments
When I was substitute teaching I once had to go to a meeting after school. My pay stone cold stopped at 305 pm. At 3:05 pm I get up, in front of everyone- about 60 people, and start to walk out when the Principal asked where I was going... "Home, I stopped getting paid at 3:05"- and I kept walking...
That's so cool! I don't have the guts to do something like that. I just ignore their messages outside working hours.
Load More Replies...
Guilt is the only weapon they have because they cant legally do what they are threatening without you having grounds to she. 60 hours is too much already if you ask me. I’d just start telling him to hire more people if he's short staffed in response.
When I was substitute teaching I once had to go to a meeting after school. My pay stone cold stopped at 305 pm. At 3:05 pm I get up, in front of everyone- about 60 people, and start to walk out when the Principal asked where I was going... "Home, I stopped getting paid at 3:05"- and I kept walking...
That's so cool! I don't have the guts to do something like that. I just ignore their messages outside working hours.
Load More Replies... Guilt is the only weapon they have because they cant legally do what they are threatening without you having grounds to she. 60 hours is too much already if you ask me. I’d just start telling him to hire more people if he's short staffed in response.
64
23