The Hidden Dangers of Hourly Work: When Managers Take Advantage
As hourly workers, we’re no strangers to feeling underpaid. But what happens when your manager surprises you with last-minute tasks and refuses to compensate you for the extra time? It’s a frustrating and infuriating experience, to say the least.
The Overtime Conundrum
One Reddit user, Drascicpark, shared their struggle with their employer, who required them to stay after closing to lock up, count drawers, and perform other tasks without paying them for the extra time. This sparked a lively discussion, with many users sharing their own horror stories of overtime abuse.
Tales of Revenge and Triumph
One IT engineer, WeTheAwakened, shared how their company exploited them for manual labor, using them to perform tasks unrelated to their job duties. Another user, Nathanjonathan, advised asking for overtime pay terms in writing, with the manager’s signature, to hold them accountable.
Some users shared stories of standing up to their managers, like BillBixByAkaHulk, who cleverly turned the tables on his manager by asking if they would do his laundry and wash his car for free. Others, like Hanako_Ikezawa, found creative ways to exact revenge, like rearranging store items to create a mess for their manager to deal with.
The Importance of Knowing Your Rights
Many users emphasized the importance of understanding labor laws and knowing your rights as an hourly worker. Myrpfaccount reminded us that if you’re required to be at work, your employer is required to pay you. InformationHorder cautioned that while reporting violations to the Department of Labor can lead to back pay, it may also damage your relationship with your manager.
Solutions and Strategies
Larryjacob1, a retail veteran, suggested approaching the conversation with your manager in a non-confrontational way, offering solutions like scheduling adjustments or locking the door 10 minutes early to account for the extra time. HolyShtBatman shared their own experience of pursuing legal action against their former employer, resulting in a favorable outcome.
The Bottom Line
As hourly workers, it’s essential to know your rights and stand up for yourself when faced with overtime abuse. Remember, time worked is time paid, and don’t let your manager take advantage of you.
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