I Refuse to Work Weekends for Free—Now HR Is Building a Case

People
3 weeks ago
I Refuse to Work Weekends for Free—Now HR Is Building a Case

Workplaces love to praise dedication, but sometimes that word feels like a trap. People are expected to sacrifice rest, family, and their personal time like it’s part of the job description. Most stay quiet because speaking up feels risky. But everything changes the moment someone decides enough is enough. One reader shared a moment that made her rethink what loyalty really means.

Jenna’s letter:

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Albert Li
2 weeks ago

Our company has oncall paging duty for one week rotating among all team members. No overtime pay. I don't think it is unusual

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Hi, Bright Side,

My boss texts the team every Sunday with Monday prep work. Everyone completes it unpaid. I ignore it.

Yesterday he wrote, “Your silence is noted.” I replied, “So is unpaid work.” He didn’t answer at first.

Then he wrote, “This is unacceptable.” I responded, “Pay me first.” He stayed silent.

The next morning, everyone in the office froze when they discovered I’d been secretly scheduling my emails to send on Monday mornings instead of replying on weekends. HR called me in and said they were “building a pattern of refusal” and documenting my behavior.

It suddenly felt like I was being treated as the difficult one just for protecting my own time. My boss walked past my desk with this chilly smile, like he expected me to regret it. But honestly, I felt strangely proud for sticking to my values.

Still, part of me keeps second-guessing everything. I just don’t want to feel guilty or difficult for refusing unpaid weekend work.

I really need advice from anyone who has gone through something similar or knows how to stay calm in moments like this.

Please help,
Jenna

Thank you, Jenna, for sharing something so personal and frustrating. Many people reading this will see parts of themselves in your situation. We hope our thoughts bring you clarity, calm, and confidence.

Ru Eng
2 weeks ago

Document. Document docume t. And. Get your state laws regarding this subject, the employee hand book

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Pat Cornell
2 weeks ago

Keep the emails. Have HR provide a written warning or a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan, with the expectations listed to correct their case on pattern of refusal) and then take it to an attorney or the labor relations board. OR YOU CAN finish the work on the weekends and then file a class action lawsuit for back pay/overtime! The law is an hourly employee works 40 hrs a week, anything over that is overtime. Salaried employees is different but still has to be reasonable expectations. ALSO ASK FOR A COPY OF YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION. give that to your attorney or the labor relations board.

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Samuel Logan
2 weeks ago

None of us should "work" without a written contract. We certainly are allowed (and often encouraged) to work without any promised remuneration. But, for the protection of EVERYONE, the "terms" of our working should be WRITTEN DOWN. This is normal "good practice" and benefits everyone involved.

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Amy
3 weeks ago

If you work and they don't pay you for to the labor board. If you are salary then they will fire you.

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3 weeks ago
You can't hide three things: the Sun, the Moon and the truth. But you sure can hide a comment.
Carol Lott
2 weeks ago
sugar plum

You ABSOLUTELY DO NOT PUT THEM ON NOTICE that you are contacting the Board of Labor. They need to assemble their documentation and submit it to the Board of Labor for review. The BOL will contact them about the employer explaining that a complaint has been logged and now they are REQUIRED BY LAW TO SUBMIT TO A LABOR AUDIT. This consists of an audit of the actual time cards (wages paid) vs. the hours actually worked and identifies any wages withheld over a specified time period.

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Larry Jaquish
3 weeks ago

Jenna, you work for an organization that does not respect you as a person and is willing to take advantage of you any way they can; this is not a healthy workplace. Immediately start looking for a new job; don’t quit until you have something lined up!

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Rose Kreidt
3 weeks ago

Are you a contract pay, or hourly pay. On contract pay they trick you into working always without extra pay. You always need to discuss pay and hours during interview for hire and get it in writing.

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jerry slavens
3 weeks ago

You are definitely not a big picture person you blew that one and now you’re reputation will proceed you everywhere you go. “ life is about choices, you just made some very bad ones”!!!! Keep going maybe you can have this horrible act published on the front page of the New York Times, go on Hannity so everybody can hear about your crazy mistakes and self absorbed attitude. Besides, you stand around talking and waste more time during the week than what he’s asking from you. You’re not a team player. You probably should’ve been fired already. Hopefully, after you declare bankruptcy, you learn your lesson.

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3 weeks ago
Shhh! The comment is asleep.
3 weeks ago
If comments are hidden, there's a reason for this.
3 weeks ago
Was there a comment here?
3 weeks ago
Can't find the comment? Ask your mom.
Lee F Hollingsworth
3 weeks ago
jerry slavens

You seem to forget the big picture isn't working for free you're working to make money so you can pay your bills. An employer that requires an employee to work for free is no employer they're greedy and uncaring about the people that work for them.

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3 weeks ago
One simply does not let this comment remain here.
Peg Blair
3 weeks ago
jerry slavens

I'd agree with you it she's a salaried employee. Hourly employees get paid for hours worked, including reading and replying to work emails.

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Johanna Briggs
3 weeks ago
jerry slavens

If you're in charge of anyone at a job I guarantee they hate you. And it's illegal in most places to make employees work unpaid. They fire her she could sue them

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3 weeks ago
The comment is deleted. The party is over.
3 weeks ago
The comment was deleted. Go home guys.
Kyka Speirs
3 weeks ago
jerry slavens

oh Jerry, do sit down, you must be one of these entitled bosses who thinks the employees are the minions, tut tut, try being nice and happy it changes your view on the world

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3 weeks ago
Something crazy happened here... Sorry, it's a secret.
3 weeks ago
No comment? Pass the wine, please.
Megan Parks
3 weeks ago
jerry slavens

So you're the type of boss to not wanna pay their employees for all of their time working. That's called wage theft. No wonder your last name is SLAVEns, I thought the old practice of making your last name your job occupation was outdated anyway?

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3 weeks ago
The comment wasn't about avocados. Sorry, we had to remove it.
2 weeks ago
Hidden for the greater good.
2 weeks ago
This broke our hearts, so we had to delete it.
Susan Lifton
2 weeks ago
jerry slavens

Jerry what's wrong with you????? I don't think any sane person would ever agree to work for free on weekends. That's absolutely preposterous. If you work you should get paid. Otherwise it's illegal to work on weekends for free

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2 weeks ago
The comment has been disarmed.
barbara Nivens
3 weeks ago

Find a new job. And a labor lawyer since this company is breaking the law. Keep your boundaries up. They're getting away with it because people are scared to.

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Andie
3 weeks ago

I honestly don’t understand why you refuse you do some light prep work that you will need later during the week? HR did the right thing, you seem like a person who lacks initiative

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Jesus Mendez
3 weeks ago
Andie

It’s unpaid work. People work to get paid. Prep work for Monday is WORK. She should be paid for it. You must be a boss like the mentioned one here.

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Andie
3 weeks ago
Jesus Mendez

I am NOT her boss, I’m just a person who understands that you need to appreciate your workplace. She’s not doing extra work for him, she’s doing prep work SHE will need during the week. Like a teacher who grades papers at home . Absolutely no problem here in my opinion

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Rachel S Kert - Michaud
3 weeks ago
Andie

Canada its a huge no no to work without pay. Like one year's pay out when an employer forces an employee to work without pay.. what's the point of labour laws if people think its ok to break them. Clearly you love working for free. Most don't. Teachers are different and governed different with different laws but my province all teachers are told no more at home work so yea no teacher brings work home (we had a strike in october and forced back to work unions are saying don't do anything outside classroom)

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Michael H
3 weeks ago
Rachel S Kert - Michaud

Asking Canada for advice on work issues is like asking an American on welfare for advice on work issues. Both live off the work of others and are so entitled that they think they deserve other people’s money.

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Christine E
2 weeks ago
Michael H

The boss is living off the work of the employees. Especially if they expect unpaid work. They are living off their employees free time.

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Christine E
2 weeks ago
Michael H

Please remember that without employees there would be no money coming in. The money employees earn for the monetary contribution they make to the company does not belong to anyone but themselves.
Isn't there a saying that the rich get rich off the backs of the poor.

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3 weeks ago
This comment is too shy. It's hiding.
S S
3 weeks ago
Andie

Those teachers are salaried, and the public school system is in such a mess, no teacher can actually finish doing their job AT school, DURING school hours, like they should be able to. They're too busy dealing with the disruptive kids, who should be kicked out of school for their behavior, and the special ed kids who should stay in their own sped unit instead of being in the general ed classroom.

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3 weeks ago
A cleaning lady accidentally wiped away this comment.
Dave Rathjen
3 weeks ago
S S

I find it sickening that you think kids with special needs need to be isolated from their peers. You sound like a boot licking scumbag.

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Kathy Marshall
3 weeks ago
S S

Are you teacher? If not mind your business. If you are then you know the "disruptive" kids as you put it just need to be documented for the behavior and they will be dealt with. NOW for the special ed students they are allowed to be in the least restricted environment for their development. You don't have the right to take that away from them. If you are a teacher please quit your profession because you are the problem.

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2 weeks ago
Ain't nobody got time for that.
3 weeks ago
OMG Karen, why have you deleted this comment?
3 weeks ago
Big Brother is watching you.
3 weeks ago
A cat is having a nap right on this comment.
Cheryl Cadwell
2 weeks ago
Andie

NOPE, it is NOT for her. You don't need to APPRECIATE YOUR WORKPLACE. You need to GET PAID to DO ANYTHING FOR YOUR WORKPLACE.

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J B
3 weeks ago
Jesus Mendez

Don't most people do prep work before their work week starts anyway? Mentally at the very least. I call people like her clock punchers. Everyone owes them something and they have very little pride in their work.

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2 weeks ago
HULK DELETE THIS COMMENT!
Johanna Briggs
3 weeks ago
T B-McG

Greedy self-absorbed Americans don't the entitled ones who think everyone has to bow down when they say because they hold the paycheck.

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3 weeks ago
The comment has left, but promises to come back.
2 weeks ago
The comment is closed for renovation.
2 weeks ago
This comment got punished.
2 weeks ago
This comment will be published in 2236.
2 weeks ago
There's no point in hiding the truth, but we'll try.
Manda Bme
2 weeks ago
Andie

So you like working for free? You volunteers need to go "work" for her boss. I doubt she applied for a volunteer position!

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Cheryl Cadwell
2 weeks ago
Andie

So work just a little, UNPAID. Next time it will be working A LITTLE MORE, UNPAID. Before you know it, IT'S WORK ALWAYS UNPAID. YOU are AN IDIOT.

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A calm “no” is more powerful than a stressed “yes.” Sometimes staying firm quietly teaches people more than long explanations. You don’t need to argue or convince anyone. Calm choices often feel stronger than emotional ones. Keep your energy steady and let your boundaries stay clear.

Don’t apologize for your boundaries. Apologizing makes your decision sound like something you should feel sorry for. Saying “no” is part of being a person, not a problem. Your time belongs to you first. You deserve room to live your life.

Let your quiet actions speak for you. Sometimes small choices send the message better than any speech. Your scheduled Monday emails already show your limits without being dramatic. People notice even if they pretend not to. Let your actions do the explaining for you.

People sometimes forget you have a life outside the office. Work can make others think you’re available all the time. You’re gently reminding them that weekends belong to you. That’s not being difficult. It’s being human.

If you want another story about someone quietly standing up for themselves at work, this one will make you smile. Sometimes the calmest decisions end up changing everything. 👉 My Coworker Stole My Promotion, but I Was Already Three Steps Ahead

Comments

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Karen Larsen
3 weeks ago

All those who work for a company and getting a call on a weekend to do extra work outside of work without pay, is considered illegal, you can file a complaint with the labor board also known As Labor commission. Document everything. Days worked and conversations, text anything specifying a conversation.

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Kurt Mandelik
3 weeks ago

I have been an hourly and salaried employee, I have also been a VP of the company I worked at.
To do work unpaid is not lawful especially if you are an hourly employee, the boss was out of line to request such a thing especially over the weekend, that's your time.
So for those that aligned themselves with the bosses request you're wrong and maybe you should check your own backbone.
As for the boss, if you want your staff to do prep work on their time off, ask first and offer a pay incentive, otherwise your out of line.

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Steve Jenkins
3 weeks ago

Always remember HR is NOT on your side. The best thing to do if Hr gets involved instantly looking for another job because you are on the chopping block

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Manda Bme
2 weeks ago

And cave so they keep all thee employees in fear! I don't think so. You get any communication in writing from them! Go to the Labor board or a good labor attorney!

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Sunniva Zoete
week ago

HR not on your side? That's rediculous; HR is there to mitigate risk to the business and that includes management as well as employees. Everyone has to adhere to the local workplace legislation and work together to create the work culture that you want.

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