'I've stopped trying [and] suddenly I'm promotion material': Burnt-out office ‘try-hard’ refuses to continue going above and beyond, ends up finally getting a 15% raise from the boss after setting healthy boundaries

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
May 9, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

Managers notice things. While we imagine they're ignoring the workplace's cries for help when it comes to their overwhelming workload, managers aren't blind to the dismay of their employees, they're simply biding their time. When you can wring a person out for all their worth, then replace them with an intern who's only asking for 70% of their replacement's salary, you've got a good capitalistic business model, right? 

But not a very humane one. 

Sometimes, all it takes to land that promotion you've been searching for is not working harder, staying late in the office, and running yourself into the ground. When all else fails, just know that your manager is watching, wondering when you'll reach your limit, so when you've decided to completely give up, they know it's a sign of potentially cutting loose from the company entirely. And when you're completely indispensable, that gives you some promotional leverage—maybe even a 15% raise-worth of leverage. 

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  • The employee in this next story was a total try-hard. Working unpaid overtime apparently doesn't get you the promotion you've been wanting. Doing the bare minimum, clocking in and out on time, and taking your designated breaks really sets the tone for your seriousness—and your promotability! 

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

  • "I got a raise after I started leaving exactly at 5pm and my boss is acting like I've 'stepped up my game'"

    For years I was the office try-hard- first one in, last to leave, answering emails at midnight, and taking on everyone else's problems. I asked for a promotion three times and kept getting
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  • the "we see your potential, just need to wait for the right timing" speech. Last month I hit my breaking point after being passed over again for someone who'd been there half as long but
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  • played golf with the VP. I decided I was done killing myself for this place. I started working strictly 9-5, turning off email notifications after hours, and saying "no" to last-minute requests that weren't my responsibility.
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  • The weirdest thing happened. My boss called me in yesterday and gave me a 15% raise "for showing such impressive growth in prioritization and efficiency." He actually said I'm "more focused and delivering higher quality work" than ever before.
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  • I'm completely baffled. Everything I thought would get me ahead (overworking, being available 24/7) actually worked against me, and now that I've stopped trying so hard, suddenly I'm promotion material? Corporate logic makes zero sense.
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  • TLDR: After years of overworking with no recognition, I started setting boundaries and working less hours, and now my boss thinks I'm performing better and gave me a raise.
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  • MiyoMush Ive seen this before. My theory is sometimes people who are over working, staying late, always hustling give the mistaken appearance they are always behind, catching up at last minute, overwhelmed, can't keep up.
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    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Tight Bug_2848. Sounds like they're afraid you're going to quit lol
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  • tbjamies I totally get this! Setting boundaries actually made them value your work more. It's weird how companies sometimes reward the people who protect their time and energy instead of those burning themselves
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  • out. Sounds like your boss finally saw your true productivity when you weren't stretched thin. This happens more often than people realize sometimes doing less but higher quality work is the key. Glad you got that raise you deserved!
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  • urbisOrbis Your boss noticed a new pattern. A pattern that usually ends with a great employee leaving. This move they made was to keep you from getting a new job.
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  • No_Perspective_242 I love this and I tell it to my friend all the time. You respect yourself and your time so it causes others to do the same. No one respects a door mat, yes- man.
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  • iamhefty ⚫ To me it looks like the extra tasks you were doing were either not much value or not your role. You are now more focused on what you need to do. It makes sense
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  • Aggravating_Job_9490 Overworking never pays off. All it does is creates more work. Also when you're too "good"at something. You're less likely to be moved up in some cases. Congratulations! Never give too much to a companyZ Keep your schedule.
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  • AdventurousTheme737. Always work 80% of your capabilities. So when you need to show up, or stressful periods you can go to a 100%. Don't show your max all the time, because that will become the standard.
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  • Sirbunbun ⚫ There's a chance they think you're gonna leave. But generally an employee with better focus and boundaries is happier and more productive, so it could also be that.
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  • OverFix4201 IMO you were bogged down in pointless sh. In office environment if you ignore every email and every ask about 50% will resolve itself without your involvement.
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  • MrHodgeToo . You stepping back from going above and beyond informed them that you are done with their BS. They had an oh sh moment worrying that you are taking steps to leave and they don't want that. Now you know what gets their attention. Use it to your advantage.
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  • anonliberal · I'm in senior management. I would never promote someone who has no work life balance, who can't manage their time, and is stuck in work constantly. It would make me think they'd be terrible at managing people or taking on extra responsibilities etc.
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  • Ucinorn ⚫ Your manager noticed you stopped giving a sh, and is afraid to lose you. So they are giving you incentive to stay. Management only cares when you
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  • are not performing, or obviously looking elsewhere. It's very clear when an employee is not happy. They will take action then if they want to keep you, but if you are keen and happy to burn yourself out they won't stop you
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  • Substantial_Data_175 This makes a ton of sense to me. Employees who work like you used to frequently seem to lack judgment about things that are and are not priorities.
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