Boss denies raise to employee for lacking enough "passion" to respond to Slack messages at 10:00 PM, employee makes tough decision: 'I've been here 3 years and haven't gotten a single cost of living adjustment'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Dec 7, 2025 8:00 AM EST

Remember when finding a healthy work-life balance was in vogue?

This employee was reprimanded and accused of not having enough "passion" for his job after he didn't respond to Slack messages that were sent his way at 10:00 PM several hours after his work day finished. For the record, this refusal to answer those messages immediately is not reflective of a lack of passion. Rather, it's a display of self-control and a desire for a proper balance between one's professional and personal life.

There was a time when finding that balance was praised, as it forced managers, coworkers, and colleagues to recognize the need for a healthy amount of space. However, it seems that in the past few years, we have regressed in terms of our overall approach to workplace culture. This manager's insistence that his employee's choice to set up healthy boundaries illustrated some kind of professional negligence is just further proof of that cultural regression.

When the employee, who worked in marketing, came in for his annual review, these boundaries were brought up and framed in a negative light. Keep scrolling below to find out how the employee responded and what options he should weigh moving forward!

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  • Let this story serve as further proof that going above and beyond should not imply being available to your boss's every question after work hours. This author has realized that his boss's flawed reframing of what happened only demonstrates that it's about time for the author to seek better employment opportunities elsewhere.

  • "Boss told me I "lack passion" because I won't answer slack messages at 10pm"

    had my annual review today and my boss literally said I need to work on being more passionate about the company. when I asked
    via misnit
  • what he meant he brought up how I don't respond to messages after hours and how other team members are "more available"
    via misnit
  • I work in marketing. for a company that sells industrial cleaning supplies. I make $19/hr.
    via misnit
  • what passion am I supposed to have for mop buckets at 10pm on a Tuesday when I'm trying to watch a show with my gf
    via misnit
  • he also mentioned I should be "going above and beyond" if I want that raise I asked for. I've been here 3 years and haven't gotten a single cost of living
    via misnit
  • adjustment. inflation is insane and they're really out here asking me to be passionate about email campaigns for floor wax
    via misnit
  • anyway I've got 2 interviews lined up next week. they can find someone else who's passionate about bleach or whatever
    via misnit
  • An employee sits in front of a laptop computer looking despondent at night.
    via Unsplash+ (Ahmet Kurt)

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

  • maddlyweird They always pull the "passion" card when they don't want to pay you what you're worth. It's wild how they expect you to treat a $19/hr job like you're launching SpaceX while they can't even match inflation. Good luck with those interviews, hope you land something that actually respects your time.
    via misnit
  • OP misnit appreciate it. the worst part is they genuinely think comparing me to coworkers who have no life outside work is motivating instead of just depressing. like congrats sarah answers emails at midnight but maybe sarah needs better boundaries not a promotion
    via misnit
  • vatothe0 When you quit, be sure to tell him at 10pm
    via misnit
  • OP misnit oh I'm absolutely doing this. gonna send my two weeks notice via slack at 10:47pm on a random Wednesday and see how passionate he is about checking his messages
    via misnit
  • vatothe0 Friday! Of a holiday weekend hopefully. Really test his dedication and passion.
    via misnit
  • OP misnit you're absolutely right. friday before a long weekend at 11:30pm is perfect. he'll spend the entire holiday trying to figure out coverage and maybe then he'll understand what passion actually looks like
    via misnit
  • winterweiss2902 My manager often changes our 1:1 meeting time from 5pm to 8pm or later on the morning of the day itself. I refused to attend unless he gives notice of few days in advance.
    via misnit
  • OP misnit that's the move. if they can't respect your time enough to plan ahead they don't get to expect you'll drop everything for an 8pm meeting. these managers really think our entire lives should just revolve around whenever they feel like talking
    via misnit
  • MojoHighway These conversations are always wild to me. I'm one of the lucky ones - my "day job" is in an area that I studied in college. I like to think that I bring my A-game to the job during the hours when I'm there. Everything gets taken care of with professionalism and attention to detail. The second that I'm finished with my time on- site, I'm gone. You're not going to hear from me. If - and only IF - we have an emergency that needs my attention, my supervisor knows how to get in touch. He
    via misnit
  • OP misnit this is exactly it. I show up, do my job well, and leave. apparently that's not enough anymore unless you're willing to pretend your entire identity is wrapped up in whatever product the company sells. your manager sounds like a unicorn honestly, most of them think a boundary is a personal attack. appreciate the perspective, definitely getting out of here
    via misnit
  • DrXanaxal Ask him how to punch in after hours so you can get paid for your time to answer questions and you'd be happy to assist. Sounds like he wants a salary worker on an hourly wage. I feel ya I'm going through the same thing.
    via misnit
  • DupeyTA Today, I received 3 messages after hours that increased in urgency... about RSVPing for a small group dinner... at a buffet restaurant... next week.
    via misnit
  • Uncircumcised_Wenis Literally if they want you to be so passionate pay for it. It's like companies forget it's a two way street.
    via misnit

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marketing cost of living slacking off overworked-employees Horrible Bosses job search job interview
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