15-year-old employee is fired after refusing to work a 14 hour shift with no break: 'I couldn't handle working 7am-9pm my first 2 days of having a real job'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
May 6, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

When you're first starting a job, you never know what you're in store for. 

Working a 14-hour shift is no joke, no matter who you are. It's not something that should be approached lightly. You need the proper training, breaks, and overtime pay. It can take a huge toll on your body, no matter what it is. Whatever it is, you should be supported in it. And you probably shouldn't do it if you're a teenager, especially starting out. You don't want to burn yourself out, and you likely have other activities like school and extracurriculars that you should be saving energy for. One young worker learned that the hard way and found themselves losing a job they didn't want to lose. Commenters, though, assured them that this wasn't a job worth keeping in the first place. 

Do you remember your first job? Maybe you were a teenager, trying to make a little extra scratch for the summer. It's a good way to develop working skills and start your journey in the world of employment. But when you're young and starting out, it's also easy to be taken advantage of by the people you work for. You might not know better, and they're counting on you not to stand up for yourself. This is why it's important to run things by the people in your life, and even people online, to compare your experiences with others. 

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  • An exhausted worker slumps over at the cashier
    via Unsplash+ (Curated Lifestyle)

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

  • I'm 15 and got fired from my summer job, I feel an unbearable amount of shame.

    boss said it was because I called in sick Saturday, and that i left early on Thursday, but it was only because I couldnt handle working 7am-9pm my first 2 days of having a real job, I dont understand. I was just starting to learn and feel good about the job and ppl around me, leaving an hour early was a one time thing, what do i do?? my family will probably think im a loser
    via Loose-Wishbone-2462

  • Commenters gave their opinions on this story.

    ✗_X_Atomica_X_X If you're in the US, they are required to give you a break of 30 minutes for 8 hour shifts- they legally cannot schedule you for more than 8 hours a day. They are breaking all sorts. of labor laws.
    via X_x_Atomica_x_X
  • Violet Evergarden123- 14 hr days as a 15 yr old? What the h l is that about. If your parents are angry at you for quitting they are idiots, I am an adult and couldn't work 14 hrs
    via VioletEvergarden123-

  • That's what this young person tried to do after they started a new job. When you're beginning a new position, you don't know what it's going to be like until you're actually there, working the shift. It's an opportunity to learn as you go, which sometimes means that you can adapt it to your needs, and sometimes means you find out that something isn't right for you right away. But it's hard to know the difference, and it can take some outside perspectives to really make sense of what's going on. Keep reading for the details of this story and see what you think about it.

  • ivoryldyx take a deep breath, I am 24 and I would struggle working those hours - that is incredibly long and you do not need to feel shame that at 15 you aren't able to do that for your first job. that is
    via ivoryldyx
  • insane. this isn't the end of the world, your family will understand and i honestly don't know how your parents thought this was a good idea anyway!! you will find another job, when I was a teenager I started with 3-4 hour shifts on the weekends. along with school that would be impossible.
    via ivoryldyx
  • favorthebold 14 hr days when you JUST STARTED is downright ab ive. That was a toxic job, they wanted a slave not an employee.
    via favorthebold
  • tconners Where do you live that a 15 yr old can work a 14 hour shift?
    via tconners
  • dirtybird971 14 hour days should be criminal. I've done my share of them working in a greenhouse in spring (it was 6am-7pm; 7 days a week for 6 weeks) but I wasn't 15.
    via dirtybird971
  • It was the 90s so I took home a whopping 250.00 a week! 90+ hours. I think I was making 4.25 to 5.00 an hour.
    via dirtybird971
  • caramelapplemartini Tell your parents to help report them to the local labor board! Unless this is agricultural work, a 14 hour shift for a 15 yr old is illegal in every US state.
    via caramelapplemartini
  • Two bakery workers behind the pasty case at a restaurant
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • SnooDoodles2197 Kid, I'm 38. I've worked quite a few jobs. Childcare, pharmacy tech, security, retail, assistant manager, now I'm a travel agent. NONE of those jobs, even the security job where I could do as much overtime
    via SnooDoodles2197
  • was I wanted, EVER gave me hours like that. You're a KID. If it's not illegal it should be. Don't be ashamed. Of course you called out. Only trash employers would ask that of any employee, much less a kid.
    via SnooDoodles2197
  • Speed_102 This "employer" should be reported to your department of labor. From a guy in his 40's, you did nothing wrong and the person asking this from you was literally asking for something that could be illegal, depending on the industry.
    via Speed_102
  • axley 58678 Your work day was illegal for a minor. You should report them to the department of labor.
    via axley58678
  • Back-At-It-2026 Hey, i know i'm just a message on the internet, but if you end up seeing this, please, remember it. Never, absolutely NEVER, at any point in your life, link your value as a person, your self-esteem, etc to your job.
    via Back-At-It-2026
  • You are not your job. It doesn't make you worse or better. Your job does not matter sh aside from being a way to earn money. You are not part of the company, you are not part of a "family", you are there to perform a task and leave.
    via Back-At-It-2026
  • NEVER listen to any kind of critique someone at a job makes about you: they are lying to you, they are trying to manipulate you, guilt trip you, into being a slave. The people you work for are NOT your friends, they are your enemies.
    via Back-At-It-2026
  • The people you work with are NOT your friends, they are, at best, neutral to you. You did NOTHING wrong, they were exploiting you, abusing you. If you can, take this before proper authority. Speak to your parents, they will know what to do.
    via Back-At-It-2026
  • Forget about all this and go be 15, you have the rest of your life to ruin yourself working. Use the time you still have to be as free as you can and F ANYONE WHO DISAGREES.
    via Back-At-It-2026
  • Dr_Who_Strange If you are in the USA this illegal. Federal law states that 14- and 15-year-olds cannot work over 8 hours a day, with no more than 3 hours on a school day, and over 40
    via Dr_Who_Strange
  • hours a week, with no more than 18 hours per week while in school. Minors are also not allowed to work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
    via Dr_Who_Strange
  • frizzle_frywalker 7-9 as a minor is crazy, Cut your losses youll find something better
    via frizzle_frywalker
  • monkeysolo69420 Consider reporting them to your state's labor board or the federal labor board. 14 hours for a 15 year old is outrageous.
    via monkeysolo69420

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boss antiwork workplace-stories toxic-workplace job working toxic-boss workplace bad bosses
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