‘He was trying to intimidate me into doing it’: Arrogant coworker tries to order employee to work for free on an external ‘side project’ because he doesn't have the budget for an expert opinion, employee adamantly refuses

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Jun 19, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

Free labor? In this economy? Yeah, no thanks.

Money is life. We wish it weren't, but it is. Work is also life. So, if we're working without the money, we're only living a half-life. This is an overly complicated, not very concise way of telling you to never work for free. You have all the time in the world after work to do someone a favor. Don't make it your mission during work hours to help someone else catch a check. If they get the payout and you're left to twiddle your thumbs with an empty wallet in your back pocket, then you got the short end of the stick.

In this next story, an employee takes the universal advice to heart. They refuse to work on an "external" project for their coworker, who claims he doesn't have the budget to provide additional pay for their services. Well, it looks like he doesn't "need" those services enough. The coworker attempts to intimidate the employee, but they remain steadfast in their decision to send their entitled coworker a message. Scroll below to read the entire story.

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  • 800 "I just sat there blinking."
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • "Colleague doubles down when I refuse to work for free on his side project"

    My colleague has clearly loved a charmed life. Perhaps no one has ever said no to him, which is why me saying no appears to have shellshocked the poor love.
    via rabididealist
  • At a recent meeting he gave me scant details of a "project" I was required to do. While we are on the same level and we are
    via rabididealist
  • supposed to collaborate on projects using our specific skill sets he still treats me as an underling there to be used so it's not uncommon for him to tell rather than ask.
    via rabididealist
  • Confused about the vagueness of said project I asked for more details. He don't have many given it turns out this project is for an external setup he has going with
    via rabididealist
  • external people, and none of these people have any idea of what the project requires as it's not their area of expertise. However, it is mine.
    via rabididealist
  • I ask why he's asking (demanding) me to do this and why his other team doesn't arrange this work and he says no one knows how to do it and don't have a budget to outsource the work to an expert.
    via rabididealist
  • Cheezburger Image 10517915648
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • I then say, so this is a favour you're asking then? Rage flashes in his eyes and he starts with the condescension. "Not really a big ask to do a few bits and pieces that reflect well on us. But if it's TOO HARD for you..."
    via rabididealist
  • I just sat there blinking. I searched for a trace of embarrassment/realisation/somet hing in his eyes but they were ice cold. He was trying to intimidate me into doing it.
    via rabididealist
  • Needless to say, they're going to have to fork out quite a lot for this work as this "not a big ask" (I'd estimate it being about a full two week's worth for two experts if not more) isn't happening otherwise.
    via rabididealist
  • It's laughable really. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had this. It's the doubling down that really gets me. Story times, Redditors...?
    via rabididealist
  • rabididealist P.S. It's actually got me thinking I SHOULD set up a consultancy so I can leave situations like these in the past and outright reject people if they take a tone with me. I'm pretty fed up and my salary is way below what it should be anyway. Maybe time to branch out on my own.
    via rabididealist
  • nc781 Tell him you don't feel comfortable working for free on a project that is not related to your actual work, but if you set a fee, you will be happy to help.
    via nc781
  • Ohberon Good for standing up for yourself. Now report him to your boss or HR for trying to get you to do work on an external project, while they paid for it.
    via 0hberon
  • Far-Artichoke 5849 I'd take that to HR, he's not your boss, he doesn't get to dictate sh to you. And if he's trying to get you to do external work on the company dime by making you think it's work project that's a big no no
    via Far-Artichoke5849
  • SilverSister22 "No, it's not too hard for me. It's also not my job and I don't do favors for outside projects. We can discuss my rates if you would like."
    via SilverSister22
  • JELPPY1010 Good for you standing your ground, OP. What an arrogant entitled a---hole of a colleague to treat you in such an unprofessional manner.
    via JELPPY1010
  • One thing I would be on the lookout for is any "blow back" from your confronting him. Since you mentioned he is the bosses "golden boy" (wondering what that involves, but I digress) there may be subtle retaliation, leaving you out of office meetings, gatherings, conversations and/or trying to make you look bad.
    via JELPPY1010

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terrible coworkers workplace-stories work stories labor Professional At Work work coworkers reddit story entitled people karma workplace entitled reddit thread Reddit coworker entitled people
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