'Choose your battles': Employee refuses to turn off light switch because he clocked out, gets called out in the comments

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  • 01
    Font - Boss asked me to do a simple task after I clocked out and I said no. Should I have done it? I work at a bakery that also serves coffee and I learned from a previous co-worker that I shouldn't clock out before doing the simplest of things like putting a bottle of glass cleaner away. I've adapted that and used it for the first time a week ago. I always ask my shift leads if they need anything else before I clock out to avoid this. I was working with my boss's boss
  • 02
    Font - and I checked with her and she I was good to go. She then asked me to turn a light off after I clocked out and was almost out the door. It's the simplest thing she could've asked, but I strictly considered that work that I wasn't getting paid for, and on top of that she kept letting people in after closing, causing me to stay over an hour later than I should've been there. She hasn't been with us for long and this was the first time I closed with her. She was only there since a co-worker
  • 03
    Font - I said "no sorry, I already clocked out." She looked at me like "O really?" All she said was "ok". I don't like her much already, I get paid minimum wage, and I have no qualms about finding another job if things go south.
  • 04
    Font - I've told some of my family and friends about it and there's mixed feelings. Some say good job and others say I should've just done it since it was simple and she is the boss's boss. Was I too petty or is this understandable?
  • 05
    Font - Edit: To turn the light off I would've doubled back to where I clocked out. This light in particular was remote controlled.
  • 06
    Font - Edit: based off the replies theres a lot more info i could've given. In the end i literally just didn't want to do it. This is my first time working at a chain restraunt as I've only worked in small businesses before, and its really not the same as working in a small business. There are various things I don't like her for as a boss and even a person.
  • 07
    Font - She definitely gets paid a lot more, and wasn't busy. She usually isn't there so this was an odd shift. It probably would've taken 30 seconds. I am studying for a different career and I'm not reliant on this as a forever job. Personally I'm more aligning with the setting boundary replies, as i just wanted to know what other people thought of this. I appreciate the comments that actually gave perspective on this. Also, it's a light, people. It's not that deep
  • 08
    Font - . ReaverRogue 1 day ago edited 19 hr. ago The spirit of it is understandable, but man... she didn't ask you to unload stock or clean, she asked you to flick a switch that was a few meters away. Choose your battles. 5.8k Reply Share
  • 09
    Font - pistoffcynic 1 day ago You're going to learn through life that there are going to be battles that are worth fighting and those that are not. Flicking off a light switch is the hill you want to die on? 1.4k Reply Share
  • 10
    Font - asocialmedium - 1 day ago I expect your boss will now be a lot less tolerant of the non-work things you do while clocked in. 1.4k Reply Share
  • 11
    Font - habesjn 1 day ago You got the right spirit, but in this particular scenario, you made yourself look ridiculous. There is no work involved in turning a light switch off as you leave a room.
  • 12
    Font - You said you don't mind finding a new job, but this just made that scenario closer to s reality. Now your boss has an example of why she doesn't like you, and you'll be first on the chopping block if they ever need to lay anyone off. 554 Reply Share
  • 13
    Font - Sweaty_Assignment_90 1 day ago Seems petty. That isn't work, they were asking you for a courtesy. See you back here in a few months when you complain about not getting the raise you want. 377 Reply Share
  • 14
    Font - Salcha_00 1 day ago If you are worried about giving unpaid time to your job, please realize you have spent significantly more time ruminating about this after the fact and coming here to post and respond to comments versus the 30 seconds total it would have taken you to flip the light switch and get on with your life. 264 Reply Share
  • 15
    Font - Darkchick3n 1 day ago Always consider what is to gain from engaging into a battle. From refusing to flick a light switched you saved 2 minutes but lost TON of respect/favors etc. So really you are the biggest loser in this situation. Dont get me wrong, i get your minset and i approve of it in most way but it was a lightswitch, not a task requiring 15min+ 248 Reply Share
  • 16
    Font - Street-Chemist-Doug 1 day ago You sound annoying as She didn't ask you to set up for the next day or something. It's a light switch.
  • 17
    Font - cannayloggins. 1 day ago Oh you'll go far 183 Reply Share
  • 18
    Organism - Kaeyko 1 day ago This is the dumbest thing I've read here. Are you 14?? 153 Reply Share

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