Boss tried to turns assistant into his kids' after-school babysitter for no extra pay: 'He thought I would “see it as helping the team”'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Oct 6, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Sometimes it can be difficult to define what is part of your job description and what isn't. There is what is written on the job application, and then there is everything else. Hopefully, there's not too much of "everything else," but you can never be sure. Plus, your job might change over time while you're there. The business might go in different directions, and you might be expected to go with the flow. Maybe new people come on board and shake things up for you. But change isn't easy in the workplace. 

You get into a flow of things and are used to following a certain order of operations. You might not like it when something comes along to shake you out of your routine. But there are certain things that you just shouldn't tolerate, no matter what. There is a difference between pitching in to a workplace that has helped support you and letting yourself be taken advantage of. You would hate to end up in a situation where you're being undervalued for your work. 

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  • A boss and his assistant go over a document together.
    via Unsplash+ (Eduardo Ramos)

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

  • But that's what happened in this scenario, where a junior employee suddenly found she had a lot more responsibility than she was comfortable with. It didn't help that she wasn't being compensated for it, either. But when she tried to confront her boss about it, he was predictably defensive. Read on to see what happened. 

  • My boss tried to turn me into his kids' after-school sitter.

    I work as an assistant in a small office. A couple of weeks ago my boss mentioned that his kids get out of school earlier than his wife finishes work. He asked if I'd be willing to "help out occasionally " by keeping an eye on them after office hours. It sounded like a one- time favor, so I said I'd think about it. Pretty quickly " occasionally "
    via u/Erhard_Mandrup
  • turned into him asking almost every day. when I hinted at extra pay, he acted surprised and said he thought I would "see it as helping the team" since I already knew his schedule and had the flexibility. He even added that it could look good for me when promotion discussions come up, since it showed I was " reliable.
    via u/Erhard_Mandrup
  • I told him I wasn't comfortable mixing childcare into my job description. Since then, he's been polite but distant, dropping comments like "not everyone is willing to go above and beyond. " I can't tell if he really expected me to agree or if this was just a test, but it feels unfair either way.
    via u/Erhard_Mandrup
  • A woman talks on the phone at her job.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • Commenters agreed that she was being taken advantage of.

    UsefulAnt42 • 23h ago And when promotion comes, you won't get it because he needs you for childcare
    via u/UsefulAnt42
  • Moan OverEasy • 9h ago Ugh that's the messed up part. they dangle "promotion" like a carrot when really it's just code for "free labor."
    via u/MoanOverEasy
  • Sirix_8472.2h ago Ask him if his own position and promotion relies upon him watching other people's kids outside office hours unpaid. Ask him how he's being a team player..maybe he can just come by and paint the outside of your house "to help the team" she's on....
    via u/Sirix_8472
  • parodytx • 23h ago If this is real you are being USED. You will NOT be promoted, even if qualified because boss will want you to continue doing his child care.
    via u/parodytx
  • IF you have HR, contact them about the threats of "reliable" and "go above and beyond." If no HR, find another job. FAST.
    via u/parodytx
  • JoinMyPestoCult ⚫ 8h ago He asked if I'd be willing to "help out occasionally " It sounded like a one- time favor Oh buddy, no it didn't.
    via u/JoinMyPestoCult
  • photonicc 23h ago . saying it could look good for you is really an empty not even promise. i have heard things like this lots of times in my life and i am not even that old. in my experience it never looks good at the end of the day. what they think is a jedi mind trick is really just empty words without any solid intention.
    via u/photonicc
  • also it would really be a move to prefer you because you watched his poor life choices. above and beyond his mom.
    via u/photonicc
  • Fallout4Addict • 2h ago If you have a HR department or a higher up you need to tell them immediately. Do not expect any promotions, you won't get it. Touch up the CV and start looking.
    via u/Fallout4Addict
  • gdognoseit 1h ago • He's upset you didn't let him keep taking advantage of you. Edit: you should report him to his boss or hr.
    via u/gdognoseit
  • princessjamiekay · 1h ago Suddenly something has come up and you are no longer available for babysitting for free. Sorry. No other words are needed. He needs to watch his own kids
    via u/princessjamiekay
  • • Mission-Birthday-... · 23h ago Time to get a new job, or speak to HR if he not the owner
    via u/Mission-Birthday-101
  • phdoofus 22h ago Unless you get it in writing, that promise is worth exactly zero. Even then it's worth nothing.
    via u/phdoofus
  • OfluffytheOferocious 2h ago Please tell there's someone higher than this boss that you can report to, because you were hired to be an assistant not a nanny.
    via u/0fluffythe0ferocious
  • NoInformation8544 • 1h ago You aint getting that promotion. He is using it so you would continue to be his free childcare. Start looking for a new job cause i have a feeling this one will turn to h I once you refuse to babysit.
    via u/NoInformation8544
  • Vegetable-Fix-4702 1h ago Childcare is a valid expense for any family. Guilting you into unpaid work is illegal. I'd be looking for a new job. He sounds insufferable.
    via u/Vegetable-Fix-4702
  • SecretOscarOG 58m ago Hes trying to use you. You wont be moving up anywhere in that job so find a new one
    via u/SecretOscarOG
  • JohnnySkidmarx • 28m ago "I'll be more willing to go above and beyond at my next job that pays better and doesn't have me babysit in the office."
    via u/JohnnySkidmarx
  • readergirl35.12m ago Talk to HR! He's right, not everyone wants to work for free, in fact no one does. I guarantee the company would not be ok with him treating his office staff like indentured servants.
    via u/readergirl35
  • Kakashisith. 5h ago There goes your promotion. But really, being an unpayed nanny? Thanks, but no, thanks!
    via u/Kakashisith
  • emax4.2h ago He's also in a position where it's expected he make more, so he can afford a sitter.
    via u/emax4
  • IntrepidMuch .22m ago It is unfair and it may have stopped your job trajectory. Accept it for what it is and be okay with looking for another job.
    via u/IntrepidMuch

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boss antiwork workplace-stories babysitter toxic-workplace job bosses work coworkers working reddit story toxic-boss babysitting workplace reddit thread bad bosses Reddit toxic-work-environment
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