Dog walker quits after discovering her boss takes 60% of her earnings, boss yells at her and calls her selfish: 'Overall I made £840 from working, and she made £1260. £2100 total'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Sep 1, 2025 8:00 PM EDT

The most appealing thing about being your own boss is that there is no mediator between you and your money. Well, unless you count the IRS, but that was going to come between you and your money, whether you were self-employed or not. If you are a hairdresser and go house to house doing clients' hair, you get to keep all the money they pay for your services. If you work for a salon, a huge chunk of that money goes to the salon to cover operating costs, payroll, and what have you. If you're self-employed, you have to pay for your own supplies, so you may be making about the same amount working for yourself as you would working for a salon. That's why tipping waiters and hairdressers is so important; you might feel like you're paying a ton already for this service, but basically none of the cost of your meal or haircut is going to the person facilitating it. 

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  • Cheezburger Image 10548406528
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • This reality can be disconcerting for people entering the workforce for the first time. The young woman in this story was shocked to find out that her dog-walking boss was taking 60% of the money she made from dog walking.

  • Am I the bad guy for quitting my job after finding out my boss takes 60% of my earnings?

    I have worked part time for a dog walking/sitting agency for the past three months. My boss told me that she took a small percentage from each sit/walk and that she would not disclose the amount, I simply just get my wage. I assumed maybe 15/20/30%... maybe even 40%!
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • Anyways, a month passes, I've just completed a 7 night sit with a client. Said client reached out to me two days ago and asks if I could do 4 more nights next mont, followed by the price she would pay. I immediately realised it is A LOT more, I done the maths real quick and realised my boss. was taking a 60% cut.
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • I made sure I was correct and messaged my boss saying "Hi I have become aware that the client's rate is quite a bit higher than what I have been receiving, and honestly I'm kind of disappointed that I wasn't
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • aware of the percentage being that high. I understand you have to take your cut, but I do feel my rate is quite low for the industry standard. I'll have to step back from this and any further bookings, I hope you understand".
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • Her reply was basically a mix of calling me selfish and rode, backtracking, telling me she doesn't need someone like me, trying to claim she only takes 30% (untrue), and saying she is really upset because she has
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • done so much for me and this is how I repay her. She also mentioned numerous times that it was extremely r de and unprofessional of me to of ever previously asked anything to do with my wage and percentages.
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • I was quite shocked at the reply, and so I want to know what you guys think? Overall I made £840 from working, and she made £1260. £2100 total.
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • Bank of P 48 38 6808-42 Bank of En DAIS
    via Christopher Bill

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I want to make it clear that my job was ruled under self employment, the boss did NOT cover any overhead payments apart from potentially a website and domain subscription. With that information, you can decide how legit you think this business may be.
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • I also want to add that I picked up this job as I had just moved to a new city and wanted to venture around.
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • A woman walking down a London street next to three story buildings
    via Gustavo Zambelli

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Artistic-Tough-7764 NTA. Time to find either a better boss or let your your customers know you are going independent.
    via u/Artistic-Tough-7764
  • couldbemebutno OP Already done both! Currently have 6 nights booked next month with said client...
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • AdGroundbreaking4397 You should set up a business properly and get insurance etc.
    via u/AdGroundbreaking4397
  • couldbemebutno OP I have! It's through rover :))
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • Major_Lawfulness6122 No no. Do it properly. Yourself. Cut out the middle man.
    via u/Major_Lawfulness6122
  • Ok-Manufacturer5890 If they're doing you over, there's a good chance they're not operating with proper licences or making their full tax requirements, it would be a terrible shame if someone was to make enquiries to the relevant bodies....
    via u/Ok-Manufacturer5890
  • No_Macaron1045 Honestly that wouldn't surprise me one bit. Sometimes the shady stuff is hiding just beneath the surface and people just turn a blind eye until it hits them. Maybe it's time someone actually asked the tough questions.
    via u/No_Macaron1045
  • ArtistKeith333 NTA. I could understand even 50/50, because she's getting the contacts and setting up the contracts, booking, book-keeping, etc. But taking 60 percent is just greedy. Screw her.
    via u/ArtistKeith333
  • couldbemebutno OP Thank you!! and honestly even at that, I definitely done most of the talking to clients!
    via u/couldbemebutno
  • Extension-Ant-8 My dog walker had a situation like this. She went independent. I went to her direct. I pay the same and she gets a bigger cut. You should do the same. You won't need someone else.
    via u/Extension-Ant-8
  • Joking917 She's upset because she can't take advantage of you anymore. Feeling angry at you is easier than feeling ashamed for her actions.
    via u/Joking917
  • No_Stand8812 I'm assuming that OP is young, and this is their first experience with the reality that in business, the value of their labor isn't necessarily equal to their pay. Op is an employee, that is all. You have no right to the profits of the business. You only have a right to be paid a fair wage for your labor. If you don't think that wage is fair, then don't do the job. The whole reason, people hire employees is to increase their total revenue and hopefully their total profit. This is a
    via u/No_Stand8812
  • cdxxmike In the business world it is common for a business to bill triple the rate they pay a consultant. Often the partner that brought the business gets a third, the business gets a third to cover overhead, and the employee gets a third.
    via u/cdxxmike

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salary boss bad boss employee dog walker terrible-bosses bosses toxic boss quitting work Horrible Bosses dog walking bad bosses quitting story money
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