Sometimes, you just have to show your boss how things are done, especially when they try to play hardball with your time. One Redditor found themselves in the middle of a classic office power struggle: their boss denied overtime, despite the fact that they’d worked far beyond the regular hours to pick up the slack.
But when things went south on a major project and the boss tried to make a last-minute save, the Redditor wasn’t having it. They calmly clocked out and left for the night, leaving their boss to deal with the consequences. Was this an unprofessional move, or just some well-deserved karma for a manager who didn’t want to approve OT? Let’s dive in.
A worker covers for three coworkers, is denied overtime, and leaves early on Friday
Setting boundaries in the workplace is something so many of us struggle with. The OP was put in a situation where they had to pick up the slack for three other people, working the equivalent of 32 hours in a single day.
And when the supervisor refused to approve overtime, it wasn’t just about the extra pay; it was about respecting the effort that had been put in. The OP made the right call to set a boundary and assert their time.
The thing about this situation is, the OP wasn’t asking for anything unreasonable. They were doing the work of four people, covering all the urgent tasks, but when it came time to get compensated for it, the supervisor said no.
And here’s where the problem lies: in workplaces like this, employees are often expected to sacrifice personal time without proper recognition or reward. It’s something that happens all the time, and it’s frustrating.
As noted by Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, “Although most employees work overtime hours, it’s not a requirement.” The OP was in the right to expect to be compensated fairly for the work they had already put in.
Then, when the OP was told they couldn’t leave on Friday, they were faced with another opportunity to set their boundaries. The request to leave early, made as a way to manage their time after working so hard all week, was simply the right decision for their mental health and well-being.
As Dr. Samantha Stein explains, “Boundaries are an important part of healthy relationships and a healthy life. They help keep us safe and maintain an experience of choice and control in our lives.” So, when one person ignores or disrespects the other’s boundaries, it creates a breakdown of trust and mutual respect.
What makes the OP’s decision so satisfying is the way they took control of their own time and emotional labor. The OP didn’t just roll over when the company tried to pressure them into staying.
They asserted their needs, walked away, and ended up spending a well-deserved evening with their wife. Sometimes, standing firm on a simple request can feel powerful, and this was one of those times.
In terms of professional advice, Monitask suggests, “You might say ‘no’ to working overtime, or you might say ‘no’ to taking on a project that is outside of your job description”.
The OP showed that setting boundaries isn’t just about saying no, it’s about protecting your time and ensuring you’re not taken advantage of. That’s not only healthy, it’s essential for maintaining your personal life.
When the company called back, trying to get the OP to stay on, the OP had already made it clear that they weren’t going to be manipulated. That’s the power of knowing when to enforce your boundaries.
And honestly, it’s something that many employees fail to do, often out of guilt or fear of confrontation. But in this case, the OP’s confidence in walking away was empowering and completely justified.
Here’s what Redditors had to say:
These commenters expressed amusement and agreement with the OP’s decision to clock out despite the company’s attempt to limit overtime approval
This group shared similar experiences, highlighting how managers often refuse to approve overtime until it’s too late
These commenters focused on the financial and ethical implications, criticizing the company for trying to avoid paying for work already done
This group commented on how the “no overtime” policy is often a way for bosses to avoid paying workers
So, was the employee in the wrong for leaving early when his overtime wasn’t approved? And have you ever been in a situation where your time was undervalued at work? How did you handle it? Share your thoughts below!
