Manager calls employee ‘ungrateful’ after she expects to be paid for working overtime: ‘I'm so tired of this mindset’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Jan 15, 2025 9:00 AM EST

The truth is, that we all have to work to survive. We need food on the table, we must keep the lights on, and we struggle to find the time to simply be while navigating a work/life balance. In this day and age, the "grindset" is toxic, especially from our managers. They expect us to dish out record-breaking output in a short span of time, all the while making us work overtime without seeing the payout. Just so you know, companies—this is illegal (winks).

If it was up to you, I'm sure you'd rather spend your days traveling the world and eating good food if you didn't have to work to survive. Most of us probably feel that way. Some managers stuck in this "grindset" think that everyone strives to be the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. No, thank you! I very much prefer being an underling! With this toxic "grindset," however, managers will subject their employees to unpaid overtime to prove that they can take advantage of you. Not everyone thinks this way, but the manager in this next story sure does.

The user who posted this story worked overtime because they thought they'd get paid for it. Hint: They did not get paid for it. When this employee asks their manager about how they'll be paid, the manager goes on a rant about how her reward was helping out the team. Hey manager… the Department of Labor is calling! You're in big trouble…

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  • "I was stunned."
    via Unsplash+ (Brock Wegner)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "Got called ‘ungrateful’ for not wanting to work overtime for free"

    1 (20F) just started my first full-time job a few months ago, and I've been trying really hard to make a good impression.
    via miamonroexa
  • I show up on time, finish my tasks early, and even pick up extra shifts when someone calls out. But last week, my manager asked if I could stay late to help clean up after a big project. I said sure, thinking I'd get paid for it.
    via miamonroexa
  • Well, turns out, that extra time was "off the clock" because the store was "over budget on hours". When I asked about it, my manager got annoyed
    via miamonroexa
  • and said I should want to help the team and that this job is about "more than just a paycheck:. I was stunned. I work hard because I want to build a
    via miamonroexa
  • future for myself, not because I'm doing this job for fun. Why would anyone stay late and work for free when we're barely making enough to get by?
    via miamonroexa
  • Cheezburger Image 10454379776
    via Unsplash (Andrew Neel)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • When I said I couldn't stay late if I wasn't being paid, they called me ungrateful and said I wasn't a "team player".
    via miamonroexa

  • You can be a “team player” and get paid for working. If you put in hours, it is illegal to not get paid for them, especially if you are an hourly employee and not salaried. This employee didn't let the manager step on their toes and rightfully expects cahs in return for her labor.

    The manager clearly has a “work is life” toxic mindset that they are trying to push forth onto others. They can do whatever they want to with their time, but if this employee goes the extra mile to make things work for their team, they should see that reflected in their paycheck, period. One commenter explains that if the manager isn't being a “team player” by paying her employee, then the employee doesn't need to return the favor. I couldn't agree more.

  • Now I'm worried they're going to cut my hours or make my life harder at work. All because I set a boundary about not working for free.
    via miamonroexa
  • Why is it that so many jobs expect us to sacrifice out time and energy for nothing in return? They say it's
    via miamonroexa
  • about "team spirit", but really, it's just another way to take advantage of people. I'm so tired of this mindset..
    via miamonroexa
  • Jgravy32 You need to contact the department of labor. What your boss did was illegal and you shouldn't ever do any work for free. Do so immediately and you will receive payment.
    via Jgravy32
  • Fi... That's not legal at all. It's wage theft. NEVER work off the clock. Not even a small task. If you slip and fall and get injured, they are off the hook
    via Fiddle_Dork
  • If you let this one slide, assert yourself in the future. Say "If I'm not on clock, my shift is over. Bye!" It's hard to stand up to people. You'll be proud of yourself and respect yourself, even if they fire you for it
    via Fiddle_Dork
  • parkesc "I won't be a team player if you won't be a team payer."
    via parkesc
  • WesternFungi Contact DoL file a complaint against your boss. You have legal protections from retaliation if your boss finds out it was you.
    via WesternFungi
  • Planning Vigilante "This job is about more than a paycheck" ... LOL I can see a nonprofit trying to pull that B but cmon, it sounds like you work retail. Nobody works retail for the love of the mission. HAH Also, what everyone else said about it being illegal.
    via PlanningVigilante
  • CMDR_PEARJUICE You must be paid for all work, period. There is no such thing as "off the clock work", it is illegal.
    via CMDR_PEARJUICE
  • kissyb Send an email to your manager outlining the entire conversation about working. off the clock and him calling you "ungrateful". Form a paper trail and professionally tell him about you not working off the clock and. Create a paper trail.
    via kissyb
  • Moist Rule9623 EVERY. JOB. IS ENTIRELY. ABOUT THE PAYCHECK. Get away from me with the "team player" cr this is not fr ing intramural sports this is my that I do for a living. You job want me to do more work, I wanna make a better living. End of discussion.
    via Moist_Rule9623

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boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace bosses work askreddit reddit story horrible-management workplace Horrible Bosses reddit thread red flag entitled people toxic-work-environment
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