So I work(ed) for a medium sized legal firm as an assistant, working primarily with a lawyer who, for reasons best known to her, took on more cases than usual – maybe she was pressured by the higher ups, I never found out. Either way, she comes to me on a Monday afternoon and asks me to stay an 'hour or so' extra every day that week to help get the workload under control.
I said sure, I'm saving for a holiday right now so I could use the overtime pay. Cue a blank stare from Susan. She explained that I wouldn't get overtime pay, as this is work which should be getting done during the regular working day. She pointed out that she was also staying late, but she wasn't getting overtime either. I pointed out that she was making about three times more than me and said that I'd be happy to stay late if I were paid. She told me that wasn't going to happen and walked off. Fine, no loss, I thought.
Next morning, I get pulled straight into HR to be grilled as to why I'd refused to do my job. I calmly explained that I was doing my job to the fullest extent of my abilities during my paid hours, but I can't do ten hours of work in eight hours. I repeated that I'd happily help with the increased workload, assuming I was being paid to do so.
“If you're not willing to tackle your assigned workload, I'm worried about your future with this company.”
Ha. Hahahaha.
I said I'd think about that, went to my desk and wrote a brief letter of resignation, explaining that I'd happily work my four weeks notice…leaving at my normal time every day.