'I said no': Employee told not to do work after clocking out, boss asks him to turn the light off one day, he maliciously complies and refuses

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Sep 25, 2024 8:00 AM EDT

No one likes to be told what to do, especially after working hours. In theory, it's simple to remember that after your employee has clocked out, they are in no way entitled to follow your direction as a manager. However, every so often, we come across a story where someone takes that mentality a bit too far.

In this instance, we have an employee who was strictly told when he was first onboarded to never take on extra responsibilities after he clocks out. That's a nice, mutually beneficial workplace mentality. However, this employee overdid by refusing to turn off a light at the request of their boss because he had just finished his work day. As many folks in the comments section pointed out, this boss was clearly not asking a favor as an employer but rather as a human being.

While we would love to blame the boss in most scenarios here at FAIL Blog, every once in a while, it's the employee who's in the wrong, and this story perfectly exemplifies that rare occurrence. For more stories like this, check out this post about a warehouse employee who got back at his petty coworkers.

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  • 01
    "Boss asked me to do a simple task after I clocked out and I said no."
    via Isabella Fischer

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    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
    via lafei
  • 03
    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
    via lafei
  • 04
    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
    via lafei
  • 05
    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 was sick.
    via lafei
  • 06
    I said "no sorry, I already clocked out." She looked at me like "○ 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.
    via lafei
  • 07
    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?
    via lafei
  • 08
    Edit: To turn the light off I would've doubled back to where I clocked out. This light in particular was remote controlled.
    via lafei
  • 09
    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.
    via lafei
  • 10
    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
    via lafei
  • 11
    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
    via lafei
  • 12
    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.
    via lafei
  • 13
    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?
    via lafei
  • 14
    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.
    via lafei
  • 15
    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.
    via lafei
  • 16
    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.
    via lafei
  • 17
    Sweaty_Assignment_90. 1 day ago Seems petty. That isn't work, they were asking you for a courtesy.
    via lafei
  • 18
    See you back here in a few months when you complain about not getting the raise you want.
    via lafei
  • 19
    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.
    via lafei
  • 20
    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+
    via lafei

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