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Woman Refuses To Go Beyond 9-5 For Her Salaried Position, Work Drama Ensues
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Woman Refuses To Go Beyond 9-5 For Her Salaried Position, Work Drama Ensues

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A woman asked Reddit’s “Am I the A**hole” community for help, saying that her colleagues were frustrated with her when she told their boss that it was not possible for her to answer his calls or work on weekends with little to no notice.

Redditor u/freeefinally wrote in her post, which received 17,000 upvotes, that she accepted a salaried job and was told she would work reasonable hours. However, that turned out to be a lie and her boss began calling her personal cell at night and on weekends to ask if she could come to work. Continue scrolling to learn how everything went down.

Recently, a woman made an anonymous post, describing how she protects her personal life from work

Image credits: Jason ford (not the actual photo)

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Image credits: freeefinally

Maintaining boundaries between work life and personal life plays an active role in keeping stress levels under control. However, it has become quite a challenge.

“Work has fully invaded our personal lives in that we can work 24/7, but the reverse is not necessarily true,” Christine Carter, Ph.D., who is a sociologist and senior fellow at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, told NBC News. “We don’t take our personal lives to work in the same ways that we are taking our work into our personal lives.”

To prevent the problem from getting worse, Carter and other industry experts hope to see some changes in the next decade. They include:

1. Employees need to be able to take their home life to work, too;

2. We need to dispel the myth of multitasking;

3. We need to stop measuring our worth by the sheer number of hours we work;

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4. Employees need predictable time off;

5. We need policies about our digital devices;

6. We need to continue the conversation about caregiving responsibilities;

7. We need to continue talking about gender discrimination and harassment in the workplace;

8. Companies need to show they value their employees in the ways that matter;

For a lot of us, technology has made it possible to always be reachable so that we can be working all the time. But it’s these types of things we need if we want wellbeing, productivity, and innovation in the workplace. Not constant availability.

Here’s how people see the situation

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thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, why is she spending so much time making excuses. Just say you're not available outside of work hours and don't explain why. You're not obligated to. If they need you to be available on weekends, then they should make that part of the job requirements. I'd quit this job asap.

glirpy avatar
Glirpy
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's probably not trying to get fired as quickly, but yeah she needs to quit, because eventually she will get fired.

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keitho avatar
Keith O
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just another prime example of your co-workers buying in to be willfully exploited. They aren't mad at the company or the boss for inefficiencies or trying to make them work off hours; they're mad at you for standing your ground and not buying into the environment of being exploited. You are doing what your job description asks of you, and they are pissed because they can't or won't say no. Bravo to you!

andreavilarmelego avatar
Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People can get so fanatical when they are exploited by their boses. Once i had a job were I was being payed half time but i was expectednto work 10-14h a day plus extra in the days off. We were four people so i designed a schedule where we could work in turns 8h a day (still like double what I was getting paid). The plan included all of us not only me. My partner got super mad, called me a traitor and was for days not speaking to me. I obviously left as soon as I could. I was mad at the abusuve boss but way more about my insane coworker.

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nickbenjamin avatar
Nick Benjamin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your boss expects you to answer your phone on the weekends last minute then he needs to pay you compensation pay and also any possible overtime pay that you may work that weekend. Labor laws.

chuckycheezburger avatar
Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't upvote this enough. MY phone is not a leash that my boss can use to yank me in to work... Want me to carry a work phone, no problem but they gonna pay me for it. AND I'm sure as hell not going to be waiting for it to ring. I'm goin to live my life and enjoy my time off. Worked for a company once that wanted all employees available all the time. This was before cell phones were common. Expected us to sit by the landline and wait for it to ring. That didn't last long.

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jamie_mayfield avatar
Ivana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like the boss needs to hire more people if it can't be completed from 9-5. Not your problem.

debmcgaughey avatar
BMcG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My boss told me he had been trying to reach me all morning, and asked why I hadn't answered. I told him the desk phone never rang, he said he had been calling my cell. I told him that it was locked in a drawer bc I didn't think it was appropriate to have out while working....I was a teacher in a school and he was the principal.

robertthompson_1 avatar
Robert Thompson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds legit to me. Not even a doge, just setting an example for the students.

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ian_smith avatar
Ian Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is exploitation and it's pretty much the point of salaried positions. You're supposedly paid a set amount for an amount of work with the caveat that sometimes there's more work, sometimes there's less, and it should even out. There's rarely less but if you should try to take a ling lunch or leave a little early when there is, you get accused of "not putting in your hours." Salaried literally means there are no set hours!

keitho avatar
Keith O
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My job description literally listed my hours of 8am-5pm, with a one hour lunch and I'm salaried. Most salaried jobs list normal working hours. I've never been hired or interviewed for a salaried position that said there were no set hours.

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mablue1 avatar
Marion Perl-Peoples
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If my boss calls me on my landline, there is an answering machine and I will get back to them asap. Nobody has my cell phone number. WHEN my boss calls me, it doesnt matter if I come in or not, just for that call he made me go on stand by and has to pay me 3 work hours. I live in Germany and my job is protected by a union.

jimmylewis avatar
Jimmy Lewis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The working people in this country have been lied to, and told that unions cost jobs. As a country, we aren't very smart. The best job I ever had was a union job.

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praecordia avatar
Alma Muminovic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol. People are funny with their expectations. I don’t live to work, I work to live and afford life, if it’s my day off dont bother contacting me. I wont answer. Sorry, but also not sorry.

simon_37 avatar
Treessimontrees
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can't get your work done 9-5 they need more staff. If you genuinely work 9-5 and not arsing about - 40 hours a week is a solid amount of time. Management need to hire more or charge more for whatever it is they do so they can hire more or pay OT.

jimmylewis avatar
Jimmy Lewis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is ridiculous. You signed a contract with the requirements for you as an employee clearly laid out. Your employer is blatantly violating that contract with you, and your co workers. My advice is to stay looking for another job. You're in the right, but they will find a way to get rid of you. If more people were like you, this nonsense wouldn't happen.

joshuaparnell_1 avatar
Joshua Parnell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being one of those "company men" who was a bootlicker got me a six figure position. It also got me a psychotic break and I had to spend a week committed to a psychiatric ward. I had to set boundaries after that. Fortunately I have a director who's reasonable; he called a meeting between my boss, him, and I to set these boundaries. To anybody thinking that the employee was unreasonable, no job is worth a mental collapse. My brain will never work the same way again, and I've lost all focus and attention span. It's not worth it.

janetch avatar
Janet C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only I had it to do over again.... I was always hired as a salaried employee at every high tech firm I ever worked for. I ended up working 60--80 hour weeks, every week. I was theoretically paid $30/hour, but I once calculated my functional hourly rate and it was around $16. I had no life outside of work. I missed family functions and local holiday events and took no vacations. I would never again let a company take that much advantage of me.

stephenraya avatar
stephen raya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wasn't even a salary employee and my boss used to call me on my personal phone at all hours of the day and night and he had a bad habit of calling on my days off just to actually yell at me this went on for 4 years until I quit my career and had to restart at the bottom with another company

katzdornmichelle avatar
Michelle Sarah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like that company needs to hire weekend and evening workers. Not OP's problem!

lillukka79 avatar
Lillukka79
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA, and your colleges are idiots. If nobody would jump when the boss calls, rhey would have to start fixing the problem that leads to these "emergencies".

pavo6503 avatar
Agamemenon Triforce
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. Had a similar thing happen to me and I straight up told the managers "The only reason I'm here is to pay child support. My wife makes 6 figures and works 80 hours a week. When the weekend comes we GTFO town and go relax. I'm not doing an extra 12 hours OT on the weekend because you guys don't want to run a 'lean company' with 'just in time' productivity." They were floored by my candid response.

arnek avatar
Gogamash
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as this was not part of the deal you dont have to work on weekends. And if you want to, you will have to be paid extra

douglasmock avatar
Douglas Mock
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The really weird thing is: other workers are attempting to harm each other with ridiculous expectations. There's an old story about monkeys and a ladder...

nubisknight avatar
Nubis Knight
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something similar happened to my friend: In the Interview say that it was 9 to 5 Monday to Friday. In the work contract it stated they might adjust the worktime. Two other were hired in the same month under same conditions. About two weeks in the job the Boss said they now have to do regularly work on the weekend (including Sunday) too. Not more than 40h/week and 5 days per week but all three of them agreed to the working contract cause it was stated "no work on weekend". :-/

dodsonmichelle avatar
Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ask how much overtime they're willing to pay. It is actually ILLEGAL to not pay OT for more than 40 hours per week, salaried or not. Unfortunately, most employees are to afraid of being fired to push the issue.

noneanon avatar
Random Anon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA and good for the OP for standing up for themselves. But this comes with consequences. This is exactly how I am when I was employed, so get used to being public enemy #1. The thing about sheep is they aren't subtle and can be really juvenile about it. So use this to your advantage. Get enough bullets and get them booted instead. Ah office politics, something I don't miss at all.

rickthephotoguy avatar
Rick Drew
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's obvious she WANTS the drama. Instead of being HONEST (something that's obviously alien to her) and telling the truth, she tells obvious lie after lie after lie.

catffirmations avatar
Catffirmations
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many years ago, when cell phones were first becoming widely used, our boss asked my coworker for his cell phone number so that it could be published company wide. He immediately responded that there was nothing life or death about what we did and he did not need to provide it. Our boss was irked but ultimately acquiesced. At the time, I was shocked he didn't provide it but it taught me a lesson about setting boundaries with your employer.

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel that MAYBE she is the a**hole. Unless it's a low-level job, a reasonable amount of overtime is expected in a salaried position. If the colleagues at her level are working overtime, then she should carry her share of the load and work OT (again, a reasonable amount).

generally_happy avatar
similarly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. Take my advice: work-life balance. Companies do not own you. They shouldn't own you. I spent decades working 10-12 hours a day, 6 and 7 days a week, and you know what I got? Older. That's it. Moderation is the key, and if your company won't give it to you, it's because they're trying to save money by overworking their staff.

yaegerl007 avatar
Linda Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I quit on Friday because of a similar situation. I was told the hours were 8am-3:30pm. start time was 8am, for a 35 hr week. Reality: Start at 6:45 am, work through lunch but get docked 30 minutes, and leave at 5pm or later. I didn't sign up for 50 hour work weeks. After two weeks I fired my boss. That means I gave him as much notice as he'd give me if I blatantly lied to him.

jddillon avatar
JD Dillon
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So they hire you, saying that you're salaried, but you won't have to put in extra time, or work weekends or off days, and then renege on said promise almost immediately. Sounds like they want to pay their employees minimum wage or below by making everyone salaried, and then force them to work a lot of extra hours. Just make sure you have everything in writing (hard copies, not just emails), to protect yourself from the inevitable harassment and possible termination. That way, you might be able to sue them for harassment (the hundreds of phone calls), and/or collect unemployment from them.

carlrichmond avatar
Carl Richmond
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I put my foot down as my boss wanted me to do an 18 hour day after a previous12 hour shift. He cited that I was an exempt employee. I told him that may well be but that doesn't make me a slave. You see our lawmakers created the exempt status for corporations to cut costs some years ago. Anyway I documented all the emails. They fired me. I went straight to HR via email and dropped all the documentation, (containing threats of reprisal which is illegal), and told them I'd see them in court if they didn't change the "with cause" status on my dismissal. I was notified within an hour that I was eligible for unemployment. Btw, this management behavior had been going on for about six months and I had previously warned HR that the company was in jeopardy due to incompetent management. Well the company no longer exists...

cindyshipman_1 avatar
Cindy Shipman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should have verified what was meant by "reasonable" hours. Anytime it's a salaried job there is bound to be times outside of routine hours that will be expected. Avoidance will not solve the issue so discuss this with your boss. If you and he can't agree on what "reasonable" specifically means, find another job.

toni_francine avatar
Toni Francine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She should be fired. Sounds like she thinks she's irreplaceable. Lmao. Don't like schedule? Quit. Omg!!

janey-jennings-3j avatar
cr avatar
cr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope she went to HR and is documenting these interactions. The sooner you can start a paper trail regarding this the better.

christinakayfineart avatar
CS
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's in a salaried position not an hourly position. These positions allow for flexibility as they are task based. This means she may work less hours one week and more the next. She needs to look at the HR policy instead of this avoidance based on what was said in an interview. Avoiding the situation is not professional and is going to end badly.

lglomski avatar
Laura Durkin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Accepting a salaried position implies you agree to work when needed and can leave when not. If you don’t agree take and hourly job which pays less and has less prestige. But you should leave this job…it’s not a good fit for either of you. And few things are worse in life than going to a job you hate.

melmartinez avatar
Mel Martinez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate your boss Lol... He should plan better and hired someone for the weekend shift, you on the right side on this one, if he continues calling Sue him if you get fired sue him and the company.

mrsb4905 avatar
Lindsey Judd-Bruder
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah no, fvck that sh!t. When I'm at work, I work. But when I'm at home, that is MY time. My job schedules me for certain hours, on certain days. They are entitled to nothing beyond that. If I come in outside those hours, it's because I CHOOSE TO. If I come in early, or stay late, or agree to switch days or come on on an off day, it's because it was MY choice. It's because I WANT to. If I DON'T want to, I absolutely WON'T. And 99% of the time, I DON'T answer my phone, when I'm at home, and work calls. Because that is time I spend with my family, and my family ALWAYS comes first. ALWAYS. And my job can get over it. A job has no right to demand your personal time, and then get mad when you don't hand it over. If they do, it's not worth working there. If an employee allows this, they are part of the problem.

mrsb4905 avatar
Lindsey Judd-Bruder
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I DO have a life outside of my job. And I refuse to give that up. It's not like it matters, anyway. Working oneself to death for ur company doesn't gain u anything. They guilt trip u, threaten u, & make u feel like a terrible person if u don't work those extra hours, or, God forbid, if u call in-even if u really ARE sick. They don't care. They just want u there, so THEY can make money. But on the flip side of that, working all that extra DOESN'T make u more valuable to the company. It DOESN'T get u promotions, or pay raises, or even favor with the higher-ups. Again, they do not care. So why should I do it? Why should I give up the little time I get, with the people I truly love, to do the things that make me truly happy, to go in there & slave away making sh!t pay, for ppl who could give a sh!t less if I'm sick or hurting or exhausted or barely paying my bills? I shouldn't. So I don't. Oh, I used to. But not anymore. My personal time is MINE. And I won't give it up for ANYONE. Period.

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lyone_fein avatar
Lyone Fein
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, but I do think she's the A. A salaried position is not the same as a job that pays by the hour. You get much higher pay and benefits. And it always comes with the understanding that you will be working more than 40 hours a week. "Work hours" are beyond 9 to 5 for salaried positions. This being said, it is not unreasonable to ask the boss to make those weekend work days planned ahead of time.

robingrace4me avatar
Robin Martz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I took a salaried job cooking for the staff of 35 to 50 people by myself and I worked usually 10 hour days. I worked hard, did the best job I could do and ended up with the gratitude of my employers and a nice bonus. It's too bad nobody has good work ethics anymore.

gusjimenez avatar
Gus Jimenez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If she only wants to work a specific hours every week than she should ask for an hourly wage that is equal to her salary wage. In that way she is able to quantify her worth as an employee per hour. She never stated that her work contract states 40 hours per week, I bet it only states the wages and if so than what ever was said verbally can be debated as he said she said. To be fair this article seems to exclude more information than the women is willing to share.because if it really bothered her she should of quit already. So the question should be, what is she not telling ?

torres_allison avatar
Ally Puzzle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also have a salary job and work some weekends; usually 2 month. It's required BUT we have an alternating schedule which i agreed to when hired AND we get paid overtime for any work done on Saturdays and Sundays. Seems like something this company should also consider as it seems like these weekends shifts are often and expected. Have an alternating OnCall schedule so people can still have a life. I must say tho that lately it's been draining as coworkers are calling out sick all the time.

nicsoderman avatar
Nic Soderman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I'm expected to come in on a weekend for work on short notice, prepare yourself for me sorting out tons of personal stuff on weekdays. If work gets into my time off, I'm taking that time off of work. Oh yeah, forgot... I live in Sweden where we're not being treated like work ants. I love my job but no f---king way it's coming in the way of family time.

mrsstrawberry avatar
Mrs Strawberry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly in America we are taught from an early age to allow ourselves to be exploited at our jobs and be grateful about it. We truly need better labor laws. I think she is setting good boundaries and if they fire her, she should look into taking them to court over it. Salary pay doesn't equal free overtime hours for employers

jakeleehutch avatar
King Joffrey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless this person is an emergency doctor, firefighter or a police detective, it can wait until Monday.

adraborandavis-blake avatar
Adraboran Davis-Blake
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a teacher a salaried position,and most people would not believe the insane hours they expect for us. We had to go to games, check papers all weekend, stay after for meetings, parent teacher conferences. And then they cut our pay by 10% and made us pay double for our medical. Teachers have no pension unless they make it themselves. That's why teaching is in trouble. My soul was drained. Poor teachers who are still out there. Now they Zoom the students into their houses!

matthewgoerke avatar
Matthew Goerke
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Keep doing what your doing. I am in a similar situation and have just started pushing back this past week. I was hired M-F to over see an install department, was clear I don't work weekends as that is family time. Not an issue at time if hire Then job was 6:45 - when the installs finish. Well now that I have gotten then going and working smooth I get a bunch of service calls put on me, I know how to do the work but it was not agreed upon As well, look into weather your exempt or non exempt salary, Exempt you get paid your salary no matter how many hours you work Non exempt you have to use vacation pay but are owed Overtime pay over 40hr a week.

claudia-espindola-712 avatar
Claudia Espindola
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a salary job Monday to Friday 9-5 pm, BUT when I signed up, I knew I might get a call after hours or weekend because of the nature of the job, issues didn't required for me to go anywhere, but I did needed to have my laptop and internet, no problem, but on the same token, I wasn't clocked to be exactly at 9, or leave exactly at 5. I was able to do errands during working hours (within reason) and if there was a weekend that I knew I wasn't going to be available my boss would take the coverage. During vacation it was absolute radio silence.

valliw2685 avatar
Valli Weidemann
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had this happen to me. I worked at five guys when i was pregnant and they wanted me to stay after my shift and do work off the clock. No on with the restaurant thought this was a problem because they did it too.

jessebuttram avatar
Jesse Buttram
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think its unreasonable to expect people to put in time and sweat into a business they have no investment in. If you're working a 9-5 job for someone else, the only thing you get out of working extra hours for them in (maybe) some extra cash in your pocket (unless you're salaried, then things are a little different). The owner or even the manager gets endless opportunities from your hard work. The manager night get promoted because they "get things done." The owner might expand business because more customers can be accommodated. There are only so many advancement opportunities available, and even if you put in those extra hours it doesn't mean you are fast tracked for a promotion. Nine out of ten times it means you're breaking your back for pocket change. I work for a union, and am required to put in an extra two hours of work a day if forced by management. That means this year alone I have put in enough hours to equal nearly an entire month worth of overtime. That's almost like removing February from my life all together. And somehow, my work still expects me to work weekends and extra hours beyond my daily 10 (five days a week).

2pinkflamingoes avatar
Paula Allison
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Start looking for another job. There's a glut of jobs out there. This isn't a good fit for you. I like how you are standing your ground on work life balance but it would be better if you didn't use all the phone excuses. Just look him in the eye and say...my weekends are reserved for my family. I do not work weekends. Directly

chadsova avatar
Chad Sova
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Salary means u are available. Labor laws and court cases confirm this. I would fire her for neglect. If she wants reg hours as a salary mgr then hire and train ur staff whuch is her job. Not her fault though its hiring mgr fault. Shes a piece of s**t on my book.

diane737 avatar
Diane Gilligan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they think they might need you or one of your co-workers on weekend, then they should notify you and Pay you for “ call time” (like 3$/hr to be available) and if you are asked to come in- Time &1/2!!!!!

launchsquid avatar
Mike Ward
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can you guess why I know this person is American? Because Americans are slaves to their jobs. Tell your boss you don't work for free. There in no way under the sun that anyone could be justifiably upset by that.

gemstone_1 avatar
Gem Stone
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This post is obviously clickbait! And it seems to be working... Everybody will answer to this post which is exactly what the doctor mentioned therein is hoping for. Good way to get feedback. Every explanation is written so as to avoid the occurrence of the reader thinking about the legal side of the argument for or against any of the players in the story. The legal side will dictate the real outcome of the debate for both sides of this circumstance. The law tends not to "interpret" emotion.

charleswilliams_3 avatar
Charles Williams
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Keep doing what you're doing but when a man that's working 60 hours per week gets promoted and starts making high 6 figures, don't complain about the gender pay gap. This is exactly why men make more money. They work longer hours, get the promotions, and often work in more stressful or more difficult jobs. Sometimes you have to make a choice, do you want to make the big money or do you want to work 9-5? Make your choice but don't complain about your results in the end. Also, I doubt they said straight 9-5 and no weekends for a salaried position. Companies hire people on salary because they know they can work them longer hours sometimes for the same pay. If they were going to work you only 9-5 they'd have you punch a clock. Even then you'd still have some weekend work.

jessicafoster avatar
Jessica Foster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's exactly the problem, though. This mentality is what continues to allow bosses to take advantage of their employees.

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xonlyxwickrme avatar
XOnlyX WickrMe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was under the impression that salary = no real set hours, you get an annual, cover all type paycheck.

ellyn avatar
Ellyn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a well known game, tell the employee they salaried they demand they work overtime for no pay. I had that situation too. I was demanded to give at least an hour over every day if not more. As to commission for sales made, the fiscal year started July 1st and we never got our contract until December so we didn't know what counted towards commission until the year was half over. What counted toward commission changed every year!

xunlimiited avatar
FerrisBueller
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They arent the best labor laws, but if you sign up for a salaried position you agreed to the phone calls to come in, regardless of if they said you would be getting reasonable hours. If you want hourly, you take an hourly job not a salaried. Its ridiculous that people think the employer is an asshole for expecting his salaried worker to work salaried hours.

duanesmith avatar
Duane Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to the federal law I know of, employers in the US are REQUIRED to compensate employees for work outside of normal working hours. This includes 'standby time'. As I understand, if the company 'boss' wants you to be available on nights and weekends then they can pay stand by time wheather you get called in or not. This may give bossman something to think about. This is NOT for debate. I have seen this in the Federal Codified Regulations myself.

derthmanter avatar
James DeWitte
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If there was no attempt on the work phone, then her boss may be trying to hide that he's calling people in. Perhaps somewhere in the contract it states they're required to pay extra for that but if the employee "voluntarily " turns up they don't.

mike_loux avatar
Mike Loux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The check rents. It does not buy. Look for another job, and/or expect to be fired soon.

robertthompson_1 avatar
Robert Thompson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tell all my workers (after one so clearly said to me) "The employee's job is to make the boss money." Alternatively, the boss is only the boss when paying the employee. Outside of paid time, all employees should be treated with the same dignity and respect as the clients.

robertthompson_1 avatar
Robert Thompson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Q: How can I reach you during unpaid time? A: Pay me for that time.

robingrace4me avatar
Robin Martz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a bunch of whi ers on here. Ugh. This is why nobody can find good help these days.

davidarnold avatar
David Arnold
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went into an interview for a part-time job and they hired me as a part-time worker and I said during the interview "If you mistreat me, I will walk out that door. You're hiring me for one job, you work me on other jobs, you pay me extra for those jobs." The interviewer said I'd only work the job I was hired for. First lie. I said during the interview I only want part-time, and she said that's all they're hiring me for: second lie. My first three days they worked me that one job I was hired for but then people started disappearing and they had me working those jobs (no extra pay), then, with out them notifying me, they scheduled me to work 12 hr shifts for two weeks straight, and that was strike two. I then came in one shift and everything was a literal mess and I was the only one there. Strike three: I walked out and didn't come back. Unless you have things in writing, they will lie to you during interviews. Got to stand your ground and not put up with that stuff.

drolltimes avatar
Klaatu Verrata (Cough)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Totally NTA. I have this happen constantly at the law firm I run....everyone from administrative employees to partners call, text, and email me CONSTANTLY about the smallest things, and I typically ended up working 80, even 100 hour, 7-day weeks because of it. Finally put my foot down and started to work from home 3-4 days a week and stopped answering calls/emails-texts outside of regular work hours. It's caused everyone to have to learn things they never wanted to learn and solve their own problems. Tough love isn't just for kids. ......And that boss is hinky AF, btw. If I had a male supervisor calling a female employee's personal cell like that and it wasn't a life or death emergency, I'd get rid of him in a heartbeat. That's a straight chauvinistic power play he's pulling. Probably gets off on it.

katie-trondsen avatar
KT
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA, but start looking for another job asap because this is only going to get worse and they will look for any excuse to fire you

erik-granqvist-5 avatar
Erik Granqvist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So in France, emplyoers cannot call on weekends anymore. It is, as I understand, the law. Sounds like something that should be universal!

betakrankusov avatar
snipergun
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they ever wanted to fire you I wonder based on what grounds, unless they pay you whatever salary for how many months is stated in your contract. Everyone should do what you're doing, not other way around.

pabloramos avatar
Pablo Ramos
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You will not get promoted. You should be as efficient as you can and make sure you give out your best within the 9 to 5 schedule. However, no matter how efficient you are, if they don't give you a poor evaluation, they will just keep you in that position forever. Which, by the way, isn't necessarily a bad thing.

williamcruz avatar
William Cruz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm old school just like the lady when it comes to work. I've told my bosses I don't work off the clock, I don't work when I'm home and I don't work extra hours if I'm not in the office. I told them that I ignore all related work calls and emails when I'm off the clock. I don't give two shits what the so call emergency is. My personal time, my family time tumps any afterhours work. The problem is the cell phone, emails and young folks not knowing how to separate personal life and work life. These bosses know it and abuse it.

solarfabulous avatar
Solar Fabulous
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on the type of job you have, how much money you are making, how often they ask you to work more than 9 to 5 and if you love the job. Also remember someone else out there may be willing to do your job and stay past 9 to 5. So you are replaceable.

allanjohnbreum avatar
Allan Breum
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Extra hours? Fine, IF you get paid extra. If not, well... No extra pay, no extra hours. Period.

ellajmoffat-1 avatar
ThEboRedEsTpANdA
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If my boss asked me "how can I reach you outside of 9-5" I would honestly say "you can't"

marsfka avatar
MarsFKA
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All these little AITA dramas read like they have come from the same word processor, with the same person doing the typing. I've had enough of these mini soap operas. No more!

katejones_1 avatar
Kate Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in a situation like this myself so I understand. But at the same time, there's a reason you are in a salaried position and it's because you are paid more to be available at times where it's needed. I was a manager who was required to cover shifts if we had callouts. It became a constant thing where I was at that point being abused. And although you are required to get overtime pay after 50 hours even salaried, it wasn't about the money for me... I want my time off. The good part about being salaried is that you can come and go. Have a doctor's appointment? You can leave and get paid. Have to take a half a day off? You still get paid. Come in late everyday and you still get the same pay. But the trade off is that you have to be available if you're needed and employers have learned how to abuse that.

andyvanderwoude avatar
Andy Vander Woude
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of comments from people that have never employed anyone in their life. Work for yourself, employ people, then come back and comment. I can almost guarantee it will be different.

biba_yu avatar
Biba Little
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my God! Another reddit user stating the obvious! How about some more challenging AITA questions? This is like, too obvious. Of course, you should not be exploited at work, duh! Those coworkers are scared of being fired or somehow brainwashed into thinking they must work whenever boss calls, which is in most countries against the law. Of course she is not TA, but how about BP give us some more challenging AITA story where there are conflicted answers?

amylee3531 avatar
Amy Stone-Chandler
Community Member
2 years ago

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I am so tired of this b*tching and moaning from everyone about EVERYTHING. DO YOUR FN JOB. PERIOD Not a hard concept. When did people think they were entitled to complain about everything? If you don't like your job, get another one. There's a good saying, "sh*t or get off the pot but stfu about it!" Millions of people have no work, homeless, living in poverty and so many complain qnd never change their environment. Grow up.

gfstaylor avatar
GFSTaylor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The OP is doing her job. She's working i the hours she's contracted to work. That's it. It's not a hard concept. The boss has no right to assume she will work longer - unpaid - nor to harass her into complying. If there's too much work to get done during the official hours, the boss should hire some of those unemployed people, but that's not the OP's problem.

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LucyDawson
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Stay at home mom Kelly Richards from New York after resigning from her full time job managed to average from $6000-$8000 a month from freelancing at home... This is how she done it... Www.WorkJoin1.com

thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, why is she spending so much time making excuses. Just say you're not available outside of work hours and don't explain why. You're not obligated to. If they need you to be available on weekends, then they should make that part of the job requirements. I'd quit this job asap.

glirpy avatar
Glirpy
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's probably not trying to get fired as quickly, but yeah she needs to quit, because eventually she will get fired.

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keitho avatar
Keith O
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just another prime example of your co-workers buying in to be willfully exploited. They aren't mad at the company or the boss for inefficiencies or trying to make them work off hours; they're mad at you for standing your ground and not buying into the environment of being exploited. You are doing what your job description asks of you, and they are pissed because they can't or won't say no. Bravo to you!

andreavilarmelego avatar
Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People can get so fanatical when they are exploited by their boses. Once i had a job were I was being payed half time but i was expectednto work 10-14h a day plus extra in the days off. We were four people so i designed a schedule where we could work in turns 8h a day (still like double what I was getting paid). The plan included all of us not only me. My partner got super mad, called me a traitor and was for days not speaking to me. I obviously left as soon as I could. I was mad at the abusuve boss but way more about my insane coworker.

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nickbenjamin avatar
Nick Benjamin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If your boss expects you to answer your phone on the weekends last minute then he needs to pay you compensation pay and also any possible overtime pay that you may work that weekend. Labor laws.

chuckycheezburger avatar
Chucky Cheezburger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't upvote this enough. MY phone is not a leash that my boss can use to yank me in to work... Want me to carry a work phone, no problem but they gonna pay me for it. AND I'm sure as hell not going to be waiting for it to ring. I'm goin to live my life and enjoy my time off. Worked for a company once that wanted all employees available all the time. This was before cell phones were common. Expected us to sit by the landline and wait for it to ring. That didn't last long.

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jamie_mayfield avatar
Ivana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like the boss needs to hire more people if it can't be completed from 9-5. Not your problem.

debmcgaughey avatar
BMcG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My boss told me he had been trying to reach me all morning, and asked why I hadn't answered. I told him the desk phone never rang, he said he had been calling my cell. I told him that it was locked in a drawer bc I didn't think it was appropriate to have out while working....I was a teacher in a school and he was the principal.

robertthompson_1 avatar
Robert Thompson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds legit to me. Not even a doge, just setting an example for the students.

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ian_smith avatar
Ian Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is exploitation and it's pretty much the point of salaried positions. You're supposedly paid a set amount for an amount of work with the caveat that sometimes there's more work, sometimes there's less, and it should even out. There's rarely less but if you should try to take a ling lunch or leave a little early when there is, you get accused of "not putting in your hours." Salaried literally means there are no set hours!

keitho avatar
Keith O
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My job description literally listed my hours of 8am-5pm, with a one hour lunch and I'm salaried. Most salaried jobs list normal working hours. I've never been hired or interviewed for a salaried position that said there were no set hours.

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mablue1 avatar
Marion Perl-Peoples
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If my boss calls me on my landline, there is an answering machine and I will get back to them asap. Nobody has my cell phone number. WHEN my boss calls me, it doesnt matter if I come in or not, just for that call he made me go on stand by and has to pay me 3 work hours. I live in Germany and my job is protected by a union.

jimmylewis avatar
Jimmy Lewis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The working people in this country have been lied to, and told that unions cost jobs. As a country, we aren't very smart. The best job I ever had was a union job.

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praecordia avatar
Alma Muminovic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol. People are funny with their expectations. I don’t live to work, I work to live and afford life, if it’s my day off dont bother contacting me. I wont answer. Sorry, but also not sorry.

simon_37 avatar
Treessimontrees
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can't get your work done 9-5 they need more staff. If you genuinely work 9-5 and not arsing about - 40 hours a week is a solid amount of time. Management need to hire more or charge more for whatever it is they do so they can hire more or pay OT.

jimmylewis avatar
Jimmy Lewis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is ridiculous. You signed a contract with the requirements for you as an employee clearly laid out. Your employer is blatantly violating that contract with you, and your co workers. My advice is to stay looking for another job. You're in the right, but they will find a way to get rid of you. If more people were like you, this nonsense wouldn't happen.

joshuaparnell_1 avatar
Joshua Parnell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being one of those "company men" who was a bootlicker got me a six figure position. It also got me a psychotic break and I had to spend a week committed to a psychiatric ward. I had to set boundaries after that. Fortunately I have a director who's reasonable; he called a meeting between my boss, him, and I to set these boundaries. To anybody thinking that the employee was unreasonable, no job is worth a mental collapse. My brain will never work the same way again, and I've lost all focus and attention span. It's not worth it.

janetch avatar
Janet C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only I had it to do over again.... I was always hired as a salaried employee at every high tech firm I ever worked for. I ended up working 60--80 hour weeks, every week. I was theoretically paid $30/hour, but I once calculated my functional hourly rate and it was around $16. I had no life outside of work. I missed family functions and local holiday events and took no vacations. I would never again let a company take that much advantage of me.

stephenraya avatar
stephen raya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wasn't even a salary employee and my boss used to call me on my personal phone at all hours of the day and night and he had a bad habit of calling on my days off just to actually yell at me this went on for 4 years until I quit my career and had to restart at the bottom with another company

katzdornmichelle avatar
Michelle Sarah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like that company needs to hire weekend and evening workers. Not OP's problem!

lillukka79 avatar
Lillukka79
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA, and your colleges are idiots. If nobody would jump when the boss calls, rhey would have to start fixing the problem that leads to these "emergencies".

pavo6503 avatar
Agamemenon Triforce
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. Had a similar thing happen to me and I straight up told the managers "The only reason I'm here is to pay child support. My wife makes 6 figures and works 80 hours a week. When the weekend comes we GTFO town and go relax. I'm not doing an extra 12 hours OT on the weekend because you guys don't want to run a 'lean company' with 'just in time' productivity." They were floored by my candid response.

arnek avatar
Gogamash
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as this was not part of the deal you dont have to work on weekends. And if you want to, you will have to be paid extra

douglasmock avatar
Douglas Mock
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The really weird thing is: other workers are attempting to harm each other with ridiculous expectations. There's an old story about monkeys and a ladder...

nubisknight avatar
Nubis Knight
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something similar happened to my friend: In the Interview say that it was 9 to 5 Monday to Friday. In the work contract it stated they might adjust the worktime. Two other were hired in the same month under same conditions. About two weeks in the job the Boss said they now have to do regularly work on the weekend (including Sunday) too. Not more than 40h/week and 5 days per week but all three of them agreed to the working contract cause it was stated "no work on weekend". :-/

dodsonmichelle avatar
Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ask how much overtime they're willing to pay. It is actually ILLEGAL to not pay OT for more than 40 hours per week, salaried or not. Unfortunately, most employees are to afraid of being fired to push the issue.

noneanon avatar
Random Anon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA and good for the OP for standing up for themselves. But this comes with consequences. This is exactly how I am when I was employed, so get used to being public enemy #1. The thing about sheep is they aren't subtle and can be really juvenile about it. So use this to your advantage. Get enough bullets and get them booted instead. Ah office politics, something I don't miss at all.

rickthephotoguy avatar
Rick Drew
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's obvious she WANTS the drama. Instead of being HONEST (something that's obviously alien to her) and telling the truth, she tells obvious lie after lie after lie.

catffirmations avatar
Catffirmations
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many years ago, when cell phones were first becoming widely used, our boss asked my coworker for his cell phone number so that it could be published company wide. He immediately responded that there was nothing life or death about what we did and he did not need to provide it. Our boss was irked but ultimately acquiesced. At the time, I was shocked he didn't provide it but it taught me a lesson about setting boundaries with your employer.

chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel that MAYBE she is the a**hole. Unless it's a low-level job, a reasonable amount of overtime is expected in a salaried position. If the colleagues at her level are working overtime, then she should carry her share of the load and work OT (again, a reasonable amount).

generally_happy avatar
similarly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. Take my advice: work-life balance. Companies do not own you. They shouldn't own you. I spent decades working 10-12 hours a day, 6 and 7 days a week, and you know what I got? Older. That's it. Moderation is the key, and if your company won't give it to you, it's because they're trying to save money by overworking their staff.

yaegerl007 avatar
Linda Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I quit on Friday because of a similar situation. I was told the hours were 8am-3:30pm. start time was 8am, for a 35 hr week. Reality: Start at 6:45 am, work through lunch but get docked 30 minutes, and leave at 5pm or later. I didn't sign up for 50 hour work weeks. After two weeks I fired my boss. That means I gave him as much notice as he'd give me if I blatantly lied to him.

jddillon avatar
JD Dillon
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So they hire you, saying that you're salaried, but you won't have to put in extra time, or work weekends or off days, and then renege on said promise almost immediately. Sounds like they want to pay their employees minimum wage or below by making everyone salaried, and then force them to work a lot of extra hours. Just make sure you have everything in writing (hard copies, not just emails), to protect yourself from the inevitable harassment and possible termination. That way, you might be able to sue them for harassment (the hundreds of phone calls), and/or collect unemployment from them.

carlrichmond avatar
Carl Richmond
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I put my foot down as my boss wanted me to do an 18 hour day after a previous12 hour shift. He cited that I was an exempt employee. I told him that may well be but that doesn't make me a slave. You see our lawmakers created the exempt status for corporations to cut costs some years ago. Anyway I documented all the emails. They fired me. I went straight to HR via email and dropped all the documentation, (containing threats of reprisal which is illegal), and told them I'd see them in court if they didn't change the "with cause" status on my dismissal. I was notified within an hour that I was eligible for unemployment. Btw, this management behavior had been going on for about six months and I had previously warned HR that the company was in jeopardy due to incompetent management. Well the company no longer exists...

cindyshipman_1 avatar
Cindy Shipman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should have verified what was meant by "reasonable" hours. Anytime it's a salaried job there is bound to be times outside of routine hours that will be expected. Avoidance will not solve the issue so discuss this with your boss. If you and he can't agree on what "reasonable" specifically means, find another job.

toni_francine avatar
Toni Francine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She should be fired. Sounds like she thinks she's irreplaceable. Lmao. Don't like schedule? Quit. Omg!!

janey-jennings-3j avatar
cr avatar
cr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope she went to HR and is documenting these interactions. The sooner you can start a paper trail regarding this the better.

christinakayfineart avatar
CS
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's in a salaried position not an hourly position. These positions allow for flexibility as they are task based. This means she may work less hours one week and more the next. She needs to look at the HR policy instead of this avoidance based on what was said in an interview. Avoiding the situation is not professional and is going to end badly.

lglomski avatar
Laura Durkin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Accepting a salaried position implies you agree to work when needed and can leave when not. If you don’t agree take and hourly job which pays less and has less prestige. But you should leave this job…it’s not a good fit for either of you. And few things are worse in life than going to a job you hate.

melmartinez avatar
Mel Martinez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate your boss Lol... He should plan better and hired someone for the weekend shift, you on the right side on this one, if he continues calling Sue him if you get fired sue him and the company.

mrsb4905 avatar
Lindsey Judd-Bruder
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah no, fvck that sh!t. When I'm at work, I work. But when I'm at home, that is MY time. My job schedules me for certain hours, on certain days. They are entitled to nothing beyond that. If I come in outside those hours, it's because I CHOOSE TO. If I come in early, or stay late, or agree to switch days or come on on an off day, it's because it was MY choice. It's because I WANT to. If I DON'T want to, I absolutely WON'T. And 99% of the time, I DON'T answer my phone, when I'm at home, and work calls. Because that is time I spend with my family, and my family ALWAYS comes first. ALWAYS. And my job can get over it. A job has no right to demand your personal time, and then get mad when you don't hand it over. If they do, it's not worth working there. If an employee allows this, they are part of the problem.

mrsb4905 avatar
Lindsey Judd-Bruder
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I DO have a life outside of my job. And I refuse to give that up. It's not like it matters, anyway. Working oneself to death for ur company doesn't gain u anything. They guilt trip u, threaten u, & make u feel like a terrible person if u don't work those extra hours, or, God forbid, if u call in-even if u really ARE sick. They don't care. They just want u there, so THEY can make money. But on the flip side of that, working all that extra DOESN'T make u more valuable to the company. It DOESN'T get u promotions, or pay raises, or even favor with the higher-ups. Again, they do not care. So why should I do it? Why should I give up the little time I get, with the people I truly love, to do the things that make me truly happy, to go in there & slave away making sh!t pay, for ppl who could give a sh!t less if I'm sick or hurting or exhausted or barely paying my bills? I shouldn't. So I don't. Oh, I used to. But not anymore. My personal time is MINE. And I won't give it up for ANYONE. Period.

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lyone_fein avatar
Lyone Fein
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, but I do think she's the A. A salaried position is not the same as a job that pays by the hour. You get much higher pay and benefits. And it always comes with the understanding that you will be working more than 40 hours a week. "Work hours" are beyond 9 to 5 for salaried positions. This being said, it is not unreasonable to ask the boss to make those weekend work days planned ahead of time.

robingrace4me avatar
Robin Martz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I took a salaried job cooking for the staff of 35 to 50 people by myself and I worked usually 10 hour days. I worked hard, did the best job I could do and ended up with the gratitude of my employers and a nice bonus. It's too bad nobody has good work ethics anymore.

gusjimenez avatar
Gus Jimenez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If she only wants to work a specific hours every week than she should ask for an hourly wage that is equal to her salary wage. In that way she is able to quantify her worth as an employee per hour. She never stated that her work contract states 40 hours per week, I bet it only states the wages and if so than what ever was said verbally can be debated as he said she said. To be fair this article seems to exclude more information than the women is willing to share.because if it really bothered her she should of quit already. So the question should be, what is she not telling ?

torres_allison avatar
Ally Puzzle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also have a salary job and work some weekends; usually 2 month. It's required BUT we have an alternating schedule which i agreed to when hired AND we get paid overtime for any work done on Saturdays and Sundays. Seems like something this company should also consider as it seems like these weekends shifts are often and expected. Have an alternating OnCall schedule so people can still have a life. I must say tho that lately it's been draining as coworkers are calling out sick all the time.

nicsoderman avatar
Nic Soderman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I'm expected to come in on a weekend for work on short notice, prepare yourself for me sorting out tons of personal stuff on weekdays. If work gets into my time off, I'm taking that time off of work. Oh yeah, forgot... I live in Sweden where we're not being treated like work ants. I love my job but no f---king way it's coming in the way of family time.

mrsstrawberry avatar
Mrs Strawberry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly in America we are taught from an early age to allow ourselves to be exploited at our jobs and be grateful about it. We truly need better labor laws. I think she is setting good boundaries and if they fire her, she should look into taking them to court over it. Salary pay doesn't equal free overtime hours for employers

jakeleehutch avatar
King Joffrey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless this person is an emergency doctor, firefighter or a police detective, it can wait until Monday.

adraborandavis-blake avatar
Adraboran Davis-Blake
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a teacher a salaried position,and most people would not believe the insane hours they expect for us. We had to go to games, check papers all weekend, stay after for meetings, parent teacher conferences. And then they cut our pay by 10% and made us pay double for our medical. Teachers have no pension unless they make it themselves. That's why teaching is in trouble. My soul was drained. Poor teachers who are still out there. Now they Zoom the students into their houses!

matthewgoerke avatar
Matthew Goerke
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Keep doing what your doing. I am in a similar situation and have just started pushing back this past week. I was hired M-F to over see an install department, was clear I don't work weekends as that is family time. Not an issue at time if hire Then job was 6:45 - when the installs finish. Well now that I have gotten then going and working smooth I get a bunch of service calls put on me, I know how to do the work but it was not agreed upon As well, look into weather your exempt or non exempt salary, Exempt you get paid your salary no matter how many hours you work Non exempt you have to use vacation pay but are owed Overtime pay over 40hr a week.

claudia-espindola-712 avatar
Claudia Espindola
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a salary job Monday to Friday 9-5 pm, BUT when I signed up, I knew I might get a call after hours or weekend because of the nature of the job, issues didn't required for me to go anywhere, but I did needed to have my laptop and internet, no problem, but on the same token, I wasn't clocked to be exactly at 9, or leave exactly at 5. I was able to do errands during working hours (within reason) and if there was a weekend that I knew I wasn't going to be available my boss would take the coverage. During vacation it was absolute radio silence.

valliw2685 avatar
Valli Weidemann
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had this happen to me. I worked at five guys when i was pregnant and they wanted me to stay after my shift and do work off the clock. No on with the restaurant thought this was a problem because they did it too.

jessebuttram avatar
Jesse Buttram
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think its unreasonable to expect people to put in time and sweat into a business they have no investment in. If you're working a 9-5 job for someone else, the only thing you get out of working extra hours for them in (maybe) some extra cash in your pocket (unless you're salaried, then things are a little different). The owner or even the manager gets endless opportunities from your hard work. The manager night get promoted because they "get things done." The owner might expand business because more customers can be accommodated. There are only so many advancement opportunities available, and even if you put in those extra hours it doesn't mean you are fast tracked for a promotion. Nine out of ten times it means you're breaking your back for pocket change. I work for a union, and am required to put in an extra two hours of work a day if forced by management. That means this year alone I have put in enough hours to equal nearly an entire month worth of overtime. That's almost like removing February from my life all together. And somehow, my work still expects me to work weekends and extra hours beyond my daily 10 (five days a week).

2pinkflamingoes avatar
Paula Allison
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Start looking for another job. There's a glut of jobs out there. This isn't a good fit for you. I like how you are standing your ground on work life balance but it would be better if you didn't use all the phone excuses. Just look him in the eye and say...my weekends are reserved for my family. I do not work weekends. Directly

chadsova avatar
Chad Sova
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Salary means u are available. Labor laws and court cases confirm this. I would fire her for neglect. If she wants reg hours as a salary mgr then hire and train ur staff whuch is her job. Not her fault though its hiring mgr fault. Shes a piece of s**t on my book.

diane737 avatar
Diane Gilligan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they think they might need you or one of your co-workers on weekend, then they should notify you and Pay you for “ call time” (like 3$/hr to be available) and if you are asked to come in- Time &1/2!!!!!

launchsquid avatar
Mike Ward
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can you guess why I know this person is American? Because Americans are slaves to their jobs. Tell your boss you don't work for free. There in no way under the sun that anyone could be justifiably upset by that.

gemstone_1 avatar
Gem Stone
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This post is obviously clickbait! And it seems to be working... Everybody will answer to this post which is exactly what the doctor mentioned therein is hoping for. Good way to get feedback. Every explanation is written so as to avoid the occurrence of the reader thinking about the legal side of the argument for or against any of the players in the story. The legal side will dictate the real outcome of the debate for both sides of this circumstance. The law tends not to "interpret" emotion.

charleswilliams_3 avatar
Charles Williams
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Keep doing what you're doing but when a man that's working 60 hours per week gets promoted and starts making high 6 figures, don't complain about the gender pay gap. This is exactly why men make more money. They work longer hours, get the promotions, and often work in more stressful or more difficult jobs. Sometimes you have to make a choice, do you want to make the big money or do you want to work 9-5? Make your choice but don't complain about your results in the end. Also, I doubt they said straight 9-5 and no weekends for a salaried position. Companies hire people on salary because they know they can work them longer hours sometimes for the same pay. If they were going to work you only 9-5 they'd have you punch a clock. Even then you'd still have some weekend work.

jessicafoster avatar
Jessica Foster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's exactly the problem, though. This mentality is what continues to allow bosses to take advantage of their employees.

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xonlyxwickrme avatar
XOnlyX WickrMe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was under the impression that salary = no real set hours, you get an annual, cover all type paycheck.

ellyn avatar
Ellyn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a well known game, tell the employee they salaried they demand they work overtime for no pay. I had that situation too. I was demanded to give at least an hour over every day if not more. As to commission for sales made, the fiscal year started July 1st and we never got our contract until December so we didn't know what counted towards commission until the year was half over. What counted toward commission changed every year!

xunlimiited avatar
FerrisBueller
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They arent the best labor laws, but if you sign up for a salaried position you agreed to the phone calls to come in, regardless of if they said you would be getting reasonable hours. If you want hourly, you take an hourly job not a salaried. Its ridiculous that people think the employer is an asshole for expecting his salaried worker to work salaried hours.

duanesmith avatar
Duane Smith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

According to the federal law I know of, employers in the US are REQUIRED to compensate employees for work outside of normal working hours. This includes 'standby time'. As I understand, if the company 'boss' wants you to be available on nights and weekends then they can pay stand by time wheather you get called in or not. This may give bossman something to think about. This is NOT for debate. I have seen this in the Federal Codified Regulations myself.

derthmanter avatar
James DeWitte
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If there was no attempt on the work phone, then her boss may be trying to hide that he's calling people in. Perhaps somewhere in the contract it states they're required to pay extra for that but if the employee "voluntarily " turns up they don't.

mike_loux avatar
Mike Loux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The check rents. It does not buy. Look for another job, and/or expect to be fired soon.

robertthompson_1 avatar
Robert Thompson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I tell all my workers (after one so clearly said to me) "The employee's job is to make the boss money." Alternatively, the boss is only the boss when paying the employee. Outside of paid time, all employees should be treated with the same dignity and respect as the clients.

robertthompson_1 avatar
Robert Thompson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Q: How can I reach you during unpaid time? A: Pay me for that time.

robingrace4me avatar
Robin Martz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a bunch of whi ers on here. Ugh. This is why nobody can find good help these days.

davidarnold avatar
David Arnold
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went into an interview for a part-time job and they hired me as a part-time worker and I said during the interview "If you mistreat me, I will walk out that door. You're hiring me for one job, you work me on other jobs, you pay me extra for those jobs." The interviewer said I'd only work the job I was hired for. First lie. I said during the interview I only want part-time, and she said that's all they're hiring me for: second lie. My first three days they worked me that one job I was hired for but then people started disappearing and they had me working those jobs (no extra pay), then, with out them notifying me, they scheduled me to work 12 hr shifts for two weeks straight, and that was strike two. I then came in one shift and everything was a literal mess and I was the only one there. Strike three: I walked out and didn't come back. Unless you have things in writing, they will lie to you during interviews. Got to stand your ground and not put up with that stuff.

drolltimes avatar
Klaatu Verrata (Cough)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Totally NTA. I have this happen constantly at the law firm I run....everyone from administrative employees to partners call, text, and email me CONSTANTLY about the smallest things, and I typically ended up working 80, even 100 hour, 7-day weeks because of it. Finally put my foot down and started to work from home 3-4 days a week and stopped answering calls/emails-texts outside of regular work hours. It's caused everyone to have to learn things they never wanted to learn and solve their own problems. Tough love isn't just for kids. ......And that boss is hinky AF, btw. If I had a male supervisor calling a female employee's personal cell like that and it wasn't a life or death emergency, I'd get rid of him in a heartbeat. That's a straight chauvinistic power play he's pulling. Probably gets off on it.

katie-trondsen avatar
KT
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA, but start looking for another job asap because this is only going to get worse and they will look for any excuse to fire you

erik-granqvist-5 avatar
Erik Granqvist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So in France, emplyoers cannot call on weekends anymore. It is, as I understand, the law. Sounds like something that should be universal!

betakrankusov avatar
snipergun
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they ever wanted to fire you I wonder based on what grounds, unless they pay you whatever salary for how many months is stated in your contract. Everyone should do what you're doing, not other way around.

pabloramos avatar
Pablo Ramos
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You will not get promoted. You should be as efficient as you can and make sure you give out your best within the 9 to 5 schedule. However, no matter how efficient you are, if they don't give you a poor evaluation, they will just keep you in that position forever. Which, by the way, isn't necessarily a bad thing.

williamcruz avatar
William Cruz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm old school just like the lady when it comes to work. I've told my bosses I don't work off the clock, I don't work when I'm home and I don't work extra hours if I'm not in the office. I told them that I ignore all related work calls and emails when I'm off the clock. I don't give two shits what the so call emergency is. My personal time, my family time tumps any afterhours work. The problem is the cell phone, emails and young folks not knowing how to separate personal life and work life. These bosses know it and abuse it.

solarfabulous avatar
Solar Fabulous
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It depends on the type of job you have, how much money you are making, how often they ask you to work more than 9 to 5 and if you love the job. Also remember someone else out there may be willing to do your job and stay past 9 to 5. So you are replaceable.

allanjohnbreum avatar
Allan Breum
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Extra hours? Fine, IF you get paid extra. If not, well... No extra pay, no extra hours. Period.

ellajmoffat-1 avatar
ThEboRedEsTpANdA
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If my boss asked me "how can I reach you outside of 9-5" I would honestly say "you can't"

marsfka avatar
MarsFKA
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All these little AITA dramas read like they have come from the same word processor, with the same person doing the typing. I've had enough of these mini soap operas. No more!

katejones_1 avatar
Kate Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in a situation like this myself so I understand. But at the same time, there's a reason you are in a salaried position and it's because you are paid more to be available at times where it's needed. I was a manager who was required to cover shifts if we had callouts. It became a constant thing where I was at that point being abused. And although you are required to get overtime pay after 50 hours even salaried, it wasn't about the money for me... I want my time off. The good part about being salaried is that you can come and go. Have a doctor's appointment? You can leave and get paid. Have to take a half a day off? You still get paid. Come in late everyday and you still get the same pay. But the trade off is that you have to be available if you're needed and employers have learned how to abuse that.

andyvanderwoude avatar
Andy Vander Woude
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of comments from people that have never employed anyone in their life. Work for yourself, employ people, then come back and comment. I can almost guarantee it will be different.

biba_yu avatar
Biba Little
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my God! Another reddit user stating the obvious! How about some more challenging AITA questions? This is like, too obvious. Of course, you should not be exploited at work, duh! Those coworkers are scared of being fired or somehow brainwashed into thinking they must work whenever boss calls, which is in most countries against the law. Of course she is not TA, but how about BP give us some more challenging AITA story where there are conflicted answers?

amylee3531 avatar
Amy Stone-Chandler
Community Member
2 years ago

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I am so tired of this b*tching and moaning from everyone about EVERYTHING. DO YOUR FN JOB. PERIOD Not a hard concept. When did people think they were entitled to complain about everything? If you don't like your job, get another one. There's a good saying, "sh*t or get off the pot but stfu about it!" Millions of people have no work, homeless, living in poverty and so many complain qnd never change their environment. Grow up.

gfstaylor avatar
GFSTaylor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The OP is doing her job. She's working i the hours she's contracted to work. That's it. It's not a hard concept. The boss has no right to assume she will work longer - unpaid - nor to harass her into complying. If there's too much work to get done during the official hours, the boss should hire some of those unemployed people, but that's not the OP's problem.

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LucyDawson
Community Member
2 years ago

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Stay at home mom Kelly Richards from New York after resigning from her full time job managed to average from $6000-$8000 a month from freelancing at home... This is how she done it... Www.WorkJoin1.com

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