Tutor works from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, gets fired for refusing to come back to work at 7:30 PM: 'They expect to own my entire life for less than $2.50 an hour'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Aug 12, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

Not every employer believes in the work-life balance.

In fact, one of the first things that every employee learns is that the vast majority of companies will gladly take as much of your time as they can get away with, and if that includes unpaid overtime, even better. More than anything, the average worker has to prove that they are good value for money, and some places take that to greater extremes than others.

Unfortunately, certain industries and businesses have a toxic work culture, and working crazy, non-contracted hours isn't just something that secretly happens—it is an open expectation of the role. What's worse is that some jobs can manage to hide this until they employ somebody, and then it comes as an unwelcome surprise.

We all know that more and more individuals these days feel that working around the clock is neither sustainable nor admirable, and as a result, they are more likely to try to set limits with employers who are demanding about working hours. The issue with this is that they can often expect them to ac out in response. If it costs them the job, it may be better in the long run anyway.  

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  • A representation of a former employee standing outside a tall building while holding a cardboard box of belongings
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A representation of a former employee standing outside a tall building while holding a cardboard box of belongings

  • An employee worked his first and last day as a tutor for an exam coaching firm when he refused to give in to the demands of his boss. His official hours were from 9 until 6, and he stayed until 6:30 to make sure that he had finished everything that he needed to.

    However, one of the partners called him an hour later and insisted that he needed to come back and work, despite there being no urgent reason for this. When he refused, he immediately got fired. He felt like this was an employer whose shameful treatment deserved some exposure.

  • Fired on day 1 for leaving at 6:30 PM. The audacity is unreal.

    I just had the most surreal "first day" experience at a company called Alpha Test (an SAT prep/coaching firm). The official hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. I stayed until 6:30 PM to make sure everything was wrapped up. I thought I was being a "good intern."
    via my_peen_is_clean
  • At 7:30 PM, while I was finally home, the Partner called and ordered me to return to the office immediately. No emergency, just a random demand. When I told her I couldn't make it back, she fired me on the spot.
    via my_peen_is_clean
  • Her literal words: "Our company focuses on efficiency and profit, not on the employees' personal time. Our philosophies do not align." Let's do the math: The pay is 200 RMB (about $28 USD) per day. They expect to own my entire life for less than $2.50 an hour.
    via my_peen_is_clean
  • I'm sharing this because I refuse to accept this as "normal." This is a company that claims to "educate" students for their future, yet they treat their own staff like disposable tools with zero human dignity.
    via my_peen_is_clean
  • Every dollar spent on such a business is a vote for this toxic culture. If you're a student or a parent, please know who you are actually supporting.
    via my_peen_is_clean
  • A representation of a former employee walking outside a building while holding a cardboard box of belongings
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A representation of a former employee walking outside a building while holding a cardboard box of belongings

  • Alert-Control-4098 Sorry this happened. for sure. firm
    via Alert-Control-4098
  • StRemedius My sincere sympathies. It just aligns with the general assessment that so many of the people who gravitate toward running educational support companies are the sort of people who not only shouldn't be trusted around children, but who shouldn't be trusted around pet rocks.
    via StRemedius
  • melaschasma Sounds like the company is treating interns like disposable free workers and they see you as a lower class slave.
    via melaschasma
  • Realistic-Soup-1553 I am SO sorry you were mistreated in this way. It sounds like the Partner is right; your philosophies do not align... because you already exceeded expectations for the role by working longer than scheduled, yet Alpha Test demanded even more from you.
    via Realistic-Soup-1553
  • This is not right or fair. Please consider documenting this experience with the Partner in both an email to the hiring manager/recruiter (they may be unaware that the Partner is working against their recruitment efforts), and in a post on Glassdoor to save other candidates from the horrific experience you've had.
    via Realistic-Soup-1553
  • BusRich1442 So what time exactly did they want you to stay until? My blood is boiling! You dodged a bullet there I hope soon you find something more humane.
    via BusRich1442
  • truth_liberates this was a test to find out how desperate you are.
    via truth_liberates
  • Itchy_Boysenberry720 All the test prep companies struggling in the age of ai. are
    via Itchy_Boysenberry720

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