Man Shares How He Was Rejected From An Exciting Job Position Because He Wasn’t Willing To Give Up His Favorite Hobby
Having a good work-life balance is key to a happy, healthy existence. Sure, you should definitely work hard, but don’t forget that just in sports, rest and relaxation are vital. It’s important that you wind down properly: whether you’re spending some honest time with your hobbies, socializing with your friends, or out volunteering to help those in need.
Your hobbies are an important part of the balance in your life. Unfortunately, some bosses believe that you should live for your job and job alone. The office is supposed to be your main priority and your only calling. Some managers even go so far as to reject your job application when they learn that—get this!—you do non-work things in your spare time. Imagine that.
That’s exactly what happened to redditor u/EmperorJJ. He told the r/antiwork community about the unfair rejection that he got for his dream job. All because he does community theatre in their spare time. Read on for the full story, dear Pandas. And when you’re done, tell us how you feel about this entire situation.
A job applicant shared how he was rejected for having hobbies in his spare time
Image credits: Tay Media (not the actual photo)
Here’s how everything went down
Image credits: 12019 (not the actual photo)
It’s actually vital to have clear boundaries that separate your work and your life. If things are all muddled up, both areas can suffer. For instance, there’s a difference between working hard and constantly working overtime.
“Working long after your colleagues are gone means nobody will see your hard work. Hence, you need to tell people about it because the results often take time to manifest. The irony is, if you have great results, there’s no need to tell anybody how hard you work,” financial expert Sam Dogen told Bored Panda earlier that the people who brag about their work hours the most tend to want validation the most.
In the expert’s opinion, if you plan to get ahead in your career, you need to work smarter and harder than others. However, that only applies if your job is your number one priority.
“In your 20s and 30s you need to work BOTH smarter AND harder, especially if you are of average intelligence. The world is a brutally competitive place with some of the smartest people also working the hardest. So working long hours while you’re still young and learning is a matter of practicality,” Sam told Bored Panda.
“You can’t expect to go straight to the corner office without putting in your dues. At the same time, you can’t expect to outperform your peers simply through hard work. You have to be strategic by building a strong network of relationships internally and externally (clients) who will pull to get you promoted and help you get paid at your next job.”
Sam pointed out that employees need to take good care of their physical and mental health if they wish to achieve success in their field.
“Take sick days and mentally recharge. Don’t just think being ill is just a physical thing. There are plenty of mental illnesses. They are just not as visible. There is no better time than right now to take sick days due to the pandemic and the greater awareness of mental health issues. There is simply no shame in healing the mind!” he gave some great advice.
Meanwhile, fitness expert Jack Bly explained to Bored Panda that employees can increase their work output by taking good care of their health in their spare time. So having proper downtime and rest really are vital.
“Better health leads to more energy, more focus, and more productivity. To improve our health and ultimately our output, we need to make sure we’re doing things like sleeping 7-8 hours consistently, [having] good nutrition, [and maintaining] consistent exercise,” he said.
“Prioritizing things like workouts actually give us more energy rather than take energy. What truly matters is true output/results you can get. Person A: works 8 hours to get X work done; Person B: works 3 hours to get the same X work done. Which person would you rather be?” he pondered.
Here’s what people had to say about the company rejecting the redditor
As awesome as this company looked initially, I think this person dodged a bullet. Also I don’t see how it is anyone’s business what you do outside of working hours and I probably wouldn’t have given much of an answer. How you spend your free time is your business and I’d be weary of a company that would want to micromanage that, too.
Dammit Beth, you took the words right out of my mouth. Why am I even typing when you’re 2 steps ahead of me! Smiles!!
Load More Replies...What the company asked was absolutely ridiculous, but that doesn't mean that's why OP got rejected. That's an assumption they made. Maybe someone else just felt like a better fit for the company.
The company told her they did not want someone with another job. It's not a big assumption.
Load More Replies...I am a lifelong volunteer with ScoutsBSA. EVERY JOB I have had, with no exception, has at some time tried to make me choose between Scouting and Working. EVERY JOB I have had, with no exception, has lost that battle.
Same. Any job that asks me to give up anything outside of their hours. No notice buh bye ..
Load More Replies...This is clearly a case of "company trying to enforce oldschool-values" as they call it... meaning... during 'hard times' what they recall/were told/remember was people working desperately, giving free overtime, not using OSHA for the sake of scraps... and they want that to continue. The fact that they asked you specifically if you'd 'give up' your outside interests is a massive red flag that says "So we gave you the movie-trailer version of the job... you know the kind that shows only all the good spoilery bits" They were 100% planning on abusing your time and the fact that you 'agreed to full commitment' to make you work "just a few extra hours, we don't need to pay you OT for that... come on" all the time.
I once had something similar happen. i was interviewing for a pre-testing job at an optometrist's office, and told them during the interview that I had a job on the side as well, building websites. I explained that I wanted to keep doing this, and they didn't seem to have a problem with it. They hired me, and when I started training, my doubts started piling up. They said that our shifts weren't given a scheduled end time, so we could be working anywhere from 8-11 hours a day (and we would never know which days they would be) based on how long the eye exams took, etc. We were only going to be paid for 8 hours, though. They also tried to make us sign a contract stating that we would not have any other employment. I immediately brought this to the trainer's attention, stating that during the interview I was very clear that I was going to continue with my own business on the side, and she said that was not allowed, and I would have to stop doing that. I informed her that I could also...
...choose to stop working for them, and left on the spot. The training week started with about 8 people, by the time I walked out on Wednesday they were down to 3. And yes, I know several of these practices are technically illegal, but they have somehow managed to find loopholes that definitely need to be closed. This place is a revolving door of staff, they are constantly hiring. I wonder why.
Load More Replies...Reminds me of Futurama, Leela talking about her boss turning down her advances, he mentioned his wife, "But I didn't know you had a wife!" His response, "And my wife doesn't know I have a job. I keep my personal and professional life separate!"
Idiot employers. Encouraging employees to have richer, more fulfilling lives outside of work creates happier, more productive, and more loyal employees. If you’re going to be greedy, don’t be greedy and stupid.
It'd be different if the job required evenings and weekends but a receptionist job is pretty much an 8 hour day. What you do on your own time is none of their business! Nobody has the right to take away someone's passion. Community theater probably makes her a good employee because they are more balanced and happy.
I don't mean to play the devil's advocate here but couldn't he have lied, got the job and kept doing theatre anyway? I'm sure they wouldn't monitor his personal life like that
Yep and it's what I do. Tell them whatever they want to hear. 80% of the interview is fluff anyway.
Load More Replies...Did it say in the rejection letter that this was the reason? Now, the question and the demand is ludicrous - especially for a parttime position, but maybe they found someone who was simply a btter fit?
By, "Better fit," you mean to say, "Has no boundaries." Honestly, the interviewer asked a very unreasonable question. It's a huge red flag, and really indicates that the company likely mistreats workers, regardless of the reason they rejected the person.
Load More Replies...??? There is no indication that this is the reason why they didn't get the job. The interviewer appeared to have accepted the reasonable answer that it wouldn't be a conflict, the LW would takes steps to ensure it did not become a conflict, and neither went on about it. The rest of the interview is described as pleasant, which it wouldn't have been if they had continued the unreasonable demands or suddenly changed in attitude. A part time position with regular, set hours during normal first shift, offering *benefits* and a $20 wage would likely have a ton of interest. It's far more likely that someone else who was more qualified or a better fit got the job, than this person is a theater martyr.
I applied for a job that works Mon to Fri with the occasional Sat morning shift. The only problem apart from the saturday shift was the fact that you had to be on call 24hr a day. The factory works Sunday night to Sat morning and if they needed a lab test doen at 2am you were expected to get out of bed and come do the test even though you will start your shift at 7am that day. This appiles for rostered days off as well. The job search agency that helped me get the interview was upset i didn't take the job stating "you'll get paid for the emergency shifts".
Welcome to the workplace, you're not allowed to have a social life any more.
That doesn’t even make sense, why would they care? You should of answered that question by saying sure if your willing to double the pay to make up for the income loss.
When a pro sports team forbids a player making $25M a year from doing stuff like riding motorcycles or going sky diving, I get it. There is no $20/hr job on the planet that gets to have any say about what you do from the second you clock out to the second you clock in.
Did the employer tell him the reason why he wasn’t hired was due to his hobby? Or is he just assuming?
Just like the nine other nincompoops asking the same stupid question. They illegally asked in the interview sooooo fair amount of evidence... I love when ppl cry about assuming. 80% of our communication isn't oral ... Our entire language system is set up on assumption.... To quote the famous saying "you know what you get when you assume?..." In real life it's completed as "I usually get to be right..."
Load More Replies...I have actually been in a similar situation. It sucks but a better job will come by (I'm still looking) that'll accept the theatre life
Just lie. They have no right to even ask. It's not illegal or actionable to lie to an employer once they have...
Load More Replies...Any employer who wants to dictate what I do when I'm not being paid by them better pay me a lot more that $20 an hour. It's not illegal to tell people they can't have a second job, but it sure is gross when you're barely paying a living wage.
Load More Replies...As awesome as this company looked initially, I think this person dodged a bullet. Also I don’t see how it is anyone’s business what you do outside of working hours and I probably wouldn’t have given much of an answer. How you spend your free time is your business and I’d be weary of a company that would want to micromanage that, too.
Dammit Beth, you took the words right out of my mouth. Why am I even typing when you’re 2 steps ahead of me! Smiles!!
Load More Replies...What the company asked was absolutely ridiculous, but that doesn't mean that's why OP got rejected. That's an assumption they made. Maybe someone else just felt like a better fit for the company.
The company told her they did not want someone with another job. It's not a big assumption.
Load More Replies...I am a lifelong volunteer with ScoutsBSA. EVERY JOB I have had, with no exception, has at some time tried to make me choose between Scouting and Working. EVERY JOB I have had, with no exception, has lost that battle.
Same. Any job that asks me to give up anything outside of their hours. No notice buh bye ..
Load More Replies...This is clearly a case of "company trying to enforce oldschool-values" as they call it... meaning... during 'hard times' what they recall/were told/remember was people working desperately, giving free overtime, not using OSHA for the sake of scraps... and they want that to continue. The fact that they asked you specifically if you'd 'give up' your outside interests is a massive red flag that says "So we gave you the movie-trailer version of the job... you know the kind that shows only all the good spoilery bits" They were 100% planning on abusing your time and the fact that you 'agreed to full commitment' to make you work "just a few extra hours, we don't need to pay you OT for that... come on" all the time.
I once had something similar happen. i was interviewing for a pre-testing job at an optometrist's office, and told them during the interview that I had a job on the side as well, building websites. I explained that I wanted to keep doing this, and they didn't seem to have a problem with it. They hired me, and when I started training, my doubts started piling up. They said that our shifts weren't given a scheduled end time, so we could be working anywhere from 8-11 hours a day (and we would never know which days they would be) based on how long the eye exams took, etc. We were only going to be paid for 8 hours, though. They also tried to make us sign a contract stating that we would not have any other employment. I immediately brought this to the trainer's attention, stating that during the interview I was very clear that I was going to continue with my own business on the side, and she said that was not allowed, and I would have to stop doing that. I informed her that I could also...
...choose to stop working for them, and left on the spot. The training week started with about 8 people, by the time I walked out on Wednesday they were down to 3. And yes, I know several of these practices are technically illegal, but they have somehow managed to find loopholes that definitely need to be closed. This place is a revolving door of staff, they are constantly hiring. I wonder why.
Load More Replies...Reminds me of Futurama, Leela talking about her boss turning down her advances, he mentioned his wife, "But I didn't know you had a wife!" His response, "And my wife doesn't know I have a job. I keep my personal and professional life separate!"
Idiot employers. Encouraging employees to have richer, more fulfilling lives outside of work creates happier, more productive, and more loyal employees. If you’re going to be greedy, don’t be greedy and stupid.
It'd be different if the job required evenings and weekends but a receptionist job is pretty much an 8 hour day. What you do on your own time is none of their business! Nobody has the right to take away someone's passion. Community theater probably makes her a good employee because they are more balanced and happy.
I don't mean to play the devil's advocate here but couldn't he have lied, got the job and kept doing theatre anyway? I'm sure they wouldn't monitor his personal life like that
Yep and it's what I do. Tell them whatever they want to hear. 80% of the interview is fluff anyway.
Load More Replies...Did it say in the rejection letter that this was the reason? Now, the question and the demand is ludicrous - especially for a parttime position, but maybe they found someone who was simply a btter fit?
By, "Better fit," you mean to say, "Has no boundaries." Honestly, the interviewer asked a very unreasonable question. It's a huge red flag, and really indicates that the company likely mistreats workers, regardless of the reason they rejected the person.
Load More Replies...??? There is no indication that this is the reason why they didn't get the job. The interviewer appeared to have accepted the reasonable answer that it wouldn't be a conflict, the LW would takes steps to ensure it did not become a conflict, and neither went on about it. The rest of the interview is described as pleasant, which it wouldn't have been if they had continued the unreasonable demands or suddenly changed in attitude. A part time position with regular, set hours during normal first shift, offering *benefits* and a $20 wage would likely have a ton of interest. It's far more likely that someone else who was more qualified or a better fit got the job, than this person is a theater martyr.
I applied for a job that works Mon to Fri with the occasional Sat morning shift. The only problem apart from the saturday shift was the fact that you had to be on call 24hr a day. The factory works Sunday night to Sat morning and if they needed a lab test doen at 2am you were expected to get out of bed and come do the test even though you will start your shift at 7am that day. This appiles for rostered days off as well. The job search agency that helped me get the interview was upset i didn't take the job stating "you'll get paid for the emergency shifts".
Welcome to the workplace, you're not allowed to have a social life any more.
That doesn’t even make sense, why would they care? You should of answered that question by saying sure if your willing to double the pay to make up for the income loss.
When a pro sports team forbids a player making $25M a year from doing stuff like riding motorcycles or going sky diving, I get it. There is no $20/hr job on the planet that gets to have any say about what you do from the second you clock out to the second you clock in.
Did the employer tell him the reason why he wasn’t hired was due to his hobby? Or is he just assuming?
Just like the nine other nincompoops asking the same stupid question. They illegally asked in the interview sooooo fair amount of evidence... I love when ppl cry about assuming. 80% of our communication isn't oral ... Our entire language system is set up on assumption.... To quote the famous saying "you know what you get when you assume?..." In real life it's completed as "I usually get to be right..."
Load More Replies...I have actually been in a similar situation. It sucks but a better job will come by (I'm still looking) that'll accept the theatre life
Just lie. They have no right to even ask. It's not illegal or actionable to lie to an employer once they have...
Load More Replies...Any employer who wants to dictate what I do when I'm not being paid by them better pay me a lot more that $20 an hour. It's not illegal to tell people they can't have a second job, but it sure is gross when you're barely paying a living wage.
Load More Replies...
110
55