‘I literally laughed’: Job seeker storms out of interview after their interviewer asks them how they ‘handle’ unpaid overtime, sparks debate about salaried vs hourly employees

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Mar 15, 2025 8:00 PM EDT

Job interviews are stressful as it is. You wonder if employers can smell desperation, if you're even qualified enough for the role you're interviewing for, and what the heck "business casual" even is. That's a serious question. What is it?…

The worst part of a job interview is usually the nervousness you feel before the interview, and once the questions start rolling, a wave of relief washes over you like a welcoming ripple in a heated wave pool. All of your preparation and efforts amounted to this moment, and you have yourself to thank for your great answers. Unfortunately for the job seeker in this story, they didn't even get that far before hitting the road.

If you're asked about unpaid overtime the moment the interview begins, run for the hills. This is not a drill. Though a paycheck seems golden at first, you'll end up on some other Reddit thread talking about how toxic your workplace is and how to get the heck out. Save yourself some time and scroll below to read the conversation commenters are having about salaries, hourly pay, and overtime.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • This job seeker was immensely excited for the role they were going to be interviewing for. It checked all of their boxes. You don't find that a lot these days, so you'd imagine their disbelief when they walk in and hear a dreaded question about, essentially, working for free. Last time I checked, that's illegal. That being the first question in an interview should tell any job seeker that working overtime, for free, is the company expectation. Yeah, no thanks. 

  • RESUME "Everyone here is passionate about the work, and we don't track extra hours.""
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • "I walked out of an interview after one question. Was I wrong?"

    So, I had an interview today for a position I was really excited about. The job description seemed great, the pay was decent, and the company had good reviews. I
    via sahalymn
  • walked in, shook hands with the hiring manager, and we sat down. Then, the first question came: "How do you handle working unpaid overtime?"
    via sahalymn
  • I literally laughed, thinking it was a joke. But the interviewer just stared at me, waiting for an answer. I asked if overtime was mandatory and if it was paid. They
    via sahalymn
  • said, "Well, we expect employees to stay as long as needed to get the job done. Everyone here is passionate about the work, and we don't track extra hours."
    via sahalymn
  • just stood up, said, "Thank you for your time, but this isn't the right fit for me," and walked out.
    via sahalymn
  • Cheezburger Image 10480267264
    via Marten Bjork for Unsplash

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

  • Now, I'm second- guessing myself. Should I have stayed and at least heard more about the job? Or was walking out the right move?
    via sahalymn
  • tanhauser_gates_ I will never work unpaid overtime again. I left project management and went back to analyst work because the financials didnt make sense anymore -you dont get paid OT as a PM but you get paid more. When I worked out hours
    via tanhauser_gates_
  • worked and compared to higher salary, I was making less than working as a lower analyst who makes overtime. Been working as an overqualified analyst getting paid overtime for 6 years now and I make more now than I ever did as a PM.
    via tanhauser_gates_
  • Jedi4Hire Or was walking out the right move? Depends on how desperate you are. That company would have absolutely taken advantage of you and that question was a test to see if they could take advantage of you, likely while underpaying you.
    via Jedi4Hire
  • xCaZx... They basically started the interview asking "are you ok with the company taking advantage of you?". You made the right decision.
    via xCaZx2203
  • Jaded-Run-3084 Nope. Toxic thieving place. Time to go.
    via Jaded-Run-3084
  • Vaportrail Flawless victory. Don't question it for a second.
    via Vaportrail
  • Express-Doubt-221 That being the first question is a pretty big red flag. Ultimately depends on your own desperatiom level
    via Express-Doubt-221
  • traumahawk88 You did exactly the right thing. Same as if they'd offered you significantly less than you currently make with the promise of "so much room to grow" Call me when you've grown enough to pay more.
    via traumahawk88
  • dvdmaven I did much the same, but the HR person was very specific about working 80 hrs a week on salary. I said, "If I have to spend 80 hrs a week to do my job, I'm in the wrong job." I walked and about six months later the company folded.
    via dvdmaven
  • UseObjectiveEvidence For me it's not about the unpaid overtime it's them asking your thoughts on them doing. something illegal namely not paying their employees. To ask that question in a job interview and that being the first question speaks volumes about the company and its management.
    via UseObjectiveEvidence
  • CoffeeStayn Here's how I'd have handled that scenario: Manager: How do you handle working unpaid overtime? Me: [laughs] Come again? Manager: How do you handle working unpaid overtime? Me: Is overtime mandatory? If so, is it paid?
    via CoffeeStayn
  • Manager: Well, we expect employees to stay as long as needed to get the job done. Everyone here is passionate about the work, and we don't track extra hours. Me: Understood. Now that I have some context, allow me to answer your question with a quick visual medium. Also me: [Stands up and grabs coat, points to the door, does cartoony sneak away towards the door, waves bye bye as the door opens and then closes again ]
    via CoffeeStayn
  • I don't work for free. "Passion" doesn't pay my bills. Money does, and time is money. You want my time, then I expect your money. Exploitation worn so openly on one's sleeve is impossible to miss. Soon as I see it, I'm gone. I don't work for free.
    via CoffeeStayn

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

workplace-stories toxic-workplace work askreddit reddit story horrible-management workplace Horrible Bosses overtime reddit thread Reddit job interview interview entitled people toxic-work-environment
Scroll Down For The Next Article