Employee works extra without pay, boss says having a job is reward enough

Unpaid overtime has long been a point of tension in workplaces, with many employees feeling pressured to sacrifice personal time without fair compensation. Across industries, workers often report being asked to stay late, cover staff shortages, or take on additional tasks with little recognition. A recent post on Reddit has once again drawn attention to this issue, sparking debate on how employers justify such demands.

In the viral post, an employee recounted staying nearly two hours past his scheduled shift to help cover staffing gaps. Despite the extra effort, he received no pay and no thanks. Instead, his manager told him he should simply be grateful to have a job at all.

The worker explained that the remark left him frustrated, especially since he already bears the costs of commuting and daily meals. He added that his limited free time should not be treated as company property, and expressed disappointment that refusing unpaid hours is often portrayed as being selfish.


Reddit Reacts
The post quickly drew strong responses from Reddit users, many of whom criticized the manager’s stance. One commenter bluntly observed that the boss effectively “won” because the employee ended up working for free. Others argued that managers often downplay overtime demands while benefiting from perks like profit-sharing or retirement bonuses, which regular workers rarely receive.

Several users urged the employee to push back. One person suggested reminding the manager that he should feel lucky to have reliable staff during staffing shortages. Another pointed out the irony of employers complaining that “no one wants to work anymore,” while simultaneously expecting unpaid labor.

Legal and Workplace Concerns
Beyond moral outrage, commenters raised important legal questions. Some explained that whether overtime is required to be paid depends on whether the worker is classified as “exempt” or “non-exempt.” In the United States, non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay, even if they are salaried. Others emphasized that forcing hourly workers to stay late without pay amounts to wage theft, which is illegal in every state.


One user advised documenting every request, keeping records of hours worked, and sending confirmation emails to build evidence in case of a legal dispute. Another suggested contacting the state’s labor department if unpaid overtime persists.

A number of contributors urged the employee not to tolerate the situation. Some recommended refusing unpaid overtime in the future, while others encouraged beginning a job search.