Boss advises hourly employee to avoid working overtime, but VP of the company keeps scheduling meetings with them after 5 PM: ‘It’s starting to get to me’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Apr 24, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

A quick PSA for hourly employees: If you're offered overtime, take it. If you're advised against doing overtime (and have a slight suspicion you won't be paid for it), don't ever clock in one minute earlier or clock out one second later than you're supposed to. Bosses try to use intimidation tactics so we will be at their beck and call, indefinitely, without seeing the proper payout. Then, we're left wondering why we're so tired when we get home at 7 PM, having been at the office for 10 hours (and two of those were unpaid—yay!)

The employee who posted this next story, hilariously enough, was told by their boss not to stay a minute later than the hours they were given. Fine, at least they're up front about not wanting to provide overtime pay. However, the boss probably should have told that to the VP of their company, who continually schedules meetings after 5 PM, sometimes closer to 6 PM, even though the employee cannot attend. For fear of being reprimanded, the employee is unsure about what they should do. To meet or not to meet?

 My advice? Take it up with the boss, boss.

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  • Am 9-5 is a 9-5. Well, maybe it's an 8-5 if you have a lengthy commute. So, besides that, don't stay at the office one minute longer than your designated shift time. Hourly employees might be able to take advantage of some overtime, but not always… such is the case with the hourly employee featured in this story.

    Their boss is clear: Don't work hours not assigned to you. Go home when the schedule tells you to. The Vice President, on the other hand, cannot imagine that an hourly employee might not always be on the same timing…

  • B MEETING ROOM
    via 2H Media for Unsplash

  • "Would you attend a 5pm meeting?"

    Hey y'all-so I just started this new role and honestly, I'm already kinda doubting the workload. Mainly because of the VP. She keeps scheduling
    via SandwichDependent199
  • meetings at like 5 or 5:30pm, and I'm hourly. My manager literally told me not to work past 5 to avoid overtime, so I haven't been joining those.
    via SandwichDependent199
  • But it's starting to feel annoying because like... she knows I'm not available after 5 and still keeps doing it? I have a life. I have
    via SandwichDependent199
  • things to do. And I'm already joining 2 out of the 3 meetings she sets every week. Do we really need 3 of the same meeting??
    via SandwichDependent199
  • Cheezburger Image 10497875200
    via Lala Azizli For Unsplash+
  • I'm just trying to set boundaries early before this turns into her expecting 6pm and 6:30pm meetings too. But at the same
    via SandwichDependent199
  • time, I'm kinda nervous-like am I being too strict? Is it gonna make me look bad if I keep skipping the late ones, even though I literally can't?
    via SandwichDependent199
  • I'm doing my best and my manager says I'm doing a good job, but this VP is just... a lot. Idk if she's trying to test my boundaries or what, but it's starting to get to me. What would y'all do?
    via SandwichDependent199
  • principium_est I'd ask my manager what to do about the meetings. Especially as a new employee.
    via principium_est
  • wafflez77 Is your manager aware of these? You may need to come in later a different day if they want to avoid overtime.
    via wafflez77
  • Dazmorg If you're getting these meetings AND manager doesn't want you doing overtime, let the manager know. A good manager would deal with any issues with the VP and just tell you you don't have to go. Hopefully no one ever asks you do attend things off the clock, because that's a straight to HR thing.
    via Dazmorg
  • Level_Strain_7360 Attend and bill for overtime. Do not adjust your schedule by any means.
    via Level_Strain_7360
  • timid_soup A few options: Talk to your manager and ask what you should do. Start coming in later in the morning or taking longer lunches.
    via timid_soup
  • Schedule your calendar with "out of office" at 5pm until midnight. Bill for overtime. Whatever you do, do NOT work for free.
    via timid_soup
  • SlowKey7466 Overtime pay? Would be the first thing out of my mouth
    via SlowKey7466
  • Careless_Ad_3859 If they pay me extra? Sure.
    via Careless_Ad_3859
  • Equal_Veterinarian22 Nobody should be scheduling meetings outside of your contracted hours as a matter of routine, whether you are an hourly employee or not. Emergencies can happen, but every week is not an emergency. Raise it with your manager is the only answer.
    via Equal_Veterinarian22
  • blacklotusY I'm a team player from 9-5, Monday to Friday. Anything outside of those hours, I refuse to give my own time and family time for work. Thank you.
    via blacklotusY

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