'This will cost you big time': Employer tells worker they can't leave until relief arrives, they comply and rake in the overtime

Brad Dickson • Managing Editor

Jun 5, 2023 12:00 PM EDT

Working overtime is basically your employer admitting they haven't hired enough people. Thankfully laws that require increased compensation for overtime end up forcing a win-win; Employers get extra coverage in peak times, and employees get better compensation for working longer, often unscheduled hours. That is, if you're not a salaried worker and don't live somewhere where these laws don't exist.

This worker, luckily, was in an industry that mandated strict overtime for any hours worked over 76 hours fortnightly. They also worked in caretaking for the elderly, which made it impossible to leave work without relief coverage. So, when their high-turnover workplace was struggling with staffing levels, it was time to rake in the cash.

Keep reading to see this story of malicious compliance, which was shared on Reddit's subreddit of the same name by Redditor u/Augustus_B_McFee. When you're done, check out this lying coworker who got caught in a lie that they couldn't live down.