Boss pressures 20-year-old student worker to stay late, immediately backfires: ‘[That’s] why there’s a high turnover rate’

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jun 24, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

Student workers are already juggling too much to be treated poorly. Folks who need to earn money to pay their tuition or other school-related expenses have a hard enough time as it is. These students need to budget the time, energy, and resources to attend class, do their jobs, and somehow complete their homework as well. Any college-aged student who manages to pull off this kind of multi-tasking feat should not be messed with either.

What these folks deserve is a proper acknowledgement for how difficult it is to take on all this work. That acknowledgement can come in the form of legitimate support and understanding from professors, bosses, and school administrators. Unfortunately for this 20-year-old student worker, he was met with unnecessary pressure from his new boss! Keep scrolling through for their tense exchange via text and for the outraged and unnerved reactions from various members of the online community.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10520666112
    via May Gauthier

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

  • 02
    Why cant you work an extra hour? 9:12 PM I have hw to do that i absolutely have to finish I plan everything what around the schedule I'm given Sometimes the restaurant needs help and schedules are ever revolving around its business. Like people calling off we ask for help to cover shifts amd beimg a TEAM player. understand now thats how u work. III take note of that thanks 0 Type message 10:00 PM Λ
    via luugi_06

  • It’s also worth noting that this boss clearly does not know how to send a concise and clear message. Who wants to take orders and pressure from a boss who is unable to express their expectations with clarity and precision? It seems as if this 20-year-old was more qualified to take on that managerial role than his own employer. 
     

  • 03
    I just started and I've been told this happens frequently. I'm only a week in and he's asked to stay late twice and moved my schedule without notice the other day.
    via luugi_06
  • 04
    Thanatofobia 6 hr. ago "Yes, thanks, please take note how you hired me for X hours, not Y hours." I had a similar thing a bunch of years ago, at a logistical job.
    via luugi_06
  • 05
    They kept insisting i work 2 hours overtime *every day". I kept reminding them i signed a contract for 40 hours, not 50. Worked there about 2 years, until the company decided to move to a larger warehouse over an hour away.
    via luugi_06
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    via Nick Fewings

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

  • 07
    . NoCry1618 4 hr. ago "Thanks for keeping a note of it so that it doesn't happen again in the future. It's really hard to find good employers that are considerate to students"
    via luugi_06
  • 08
    theodoreburne · 6 hr. ago TEAM. Not people with needs. Abstract unit of production.
    via luugi_06
  • 09
    6 hr. ago kinda sounds like a them problem Imao
    via luugi_06
  • 10
    Leapimus_Maximus. 3 hr. ago "I have a previous engagment." Even if that previous engagement is to just sit in your living room, buck nked with a cold beer. It doesn't matter. That's all you say. "I have a previous engagement."
    via luugi_06
  • 11
    Anarkitty-Esq. 6 hr. ago Quit now
    via luugi_06
  • 12
    Rich-Option4632. 6 hr. ago That or put his foot down. Because giving in is just gonna encourage them that this attitude can be perpetuated.
    via luugi_06
  • 13
    Lacyra 4 hr. ago Yup. OP needs to say that he is only going to be here according to his schedule and not any later.
    via luugi_06
  • 14
    Puzzleheaded-Law-429. 5 hr. ago Holy that passive aggressive attempt at gaslighting on that last line. I would have lost it.
    via luugi_06
  • 15
    shestammie 5 hr. ago Say "thank you" and don't acknowledge anything else in their text. If you work for a corporate chain, forward this message to HR. What an a hole.
    via luugi_06
  • 16
    Jaded_Ad_1674 · 2 hr. ago Next time: "I can't stay late because I have homework to do so I don't end up being a restaurant manager."
    via luugi_06
  • 17
    Machopsdontcry · 6 hr. ago Sometimes = at least 3 days a week, I'd bet big on that
    via luugi_06
  • 18
    jacknimrod10 · 4 hr. ago This kind of petty, passive-aggressive unprofessional is where you end up when you promote people based on their availability before their actual ability
    via luugi_06
  • 19
    freerangetacos 3 hr. ago School is your priority. Period. Get that degree so you don't have to work in holes like that one anymore.
    via luugi_06
  • 20
    CantWait4Holiday 5 hr. ago . Hand in notice and move on. Make sure he take note of that.
    via luugi_06

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Tags

worker workplace-stories employee work stories toxic-workplace job students work overworked-employees Horrible Bosses bad bosses company toxic-work-environment
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