Imagine this: You’re a dedicated lab worker who, out of sheer frustration, decides to teach yourself programming. You spend countless hours outside of work, mastering the art of coding, only to find yourself in a sticky situation at your workplace. Your newfound skills are in high demand, but your boss isn’t willing to pay you extra for your hard work. What would you do? Here’s a story that unfolds this very dilemma.
From Lab Worker to Coding Whiz
The Programming Journey Begins
Coding Skills Put to the Test
The Rise of the Web Developer
Juggling Coding and Work Duties
The Burnout Begins
Performance Review: A Twist in the Tale
The Unresolved Dilemma
A Bold Request
The Boss Strikes Back
A Silent Rejection?
Taking a Stand
Accusations Fly ️
Standing His Ground
A Coding Conundrum: Is He Guilty of Holding His Work Hostage? ♂️
So, here we have a lab worker turned self-taught programmer, who’s caught in a whirlwind of workplace drama. After spending countless hours honing his coding skills, he’s asked to juggle his regular duties with web development, without any extra pay. When he asks for a raise, his boss questions his qualifications, leaving him feeling undervalued and overworked. He finally decides to stop doing the extra coding work, leading to accusations of being unprofessional and ‘holding his work hostage.’ Is he in the wrong for refusing to do unpaid overtime, or is he simply standing up for his rights? Let’s see what the internet has to say… ️♀️
RELATED STORIES
NTA. Unpaid overtime and unmet expectations. Time to find new job!
NTA: Holding your skills hostage? That’s not how it works
NTA: Never work for free.
NTA. Exposed employer for unfair practices. Prepare for consequences.
NTA but keep records & avoid legal battles. Apply elsewhere
NTA. You learned programming, made their life easier, and they bullied you. Update your resume and find a better job.
“NTA. Don’t work for free! Focus on your job . If they want more, they pay extra . Share evidence with labor department .”
Setting limits and expecting compensation for extra work. Not being abusive.
NTA: Lesson learned – do your job, don’t burn yourself out
Know your worth Don’t let them take advantage of you!
Boss adds duties, denies extra pay: NTA for standing up
NTA: Unpaid overtime, unmet expectations, and a chance for bigger offers!
NTA stands up to toxic workplace, prioritizes and sets boundaries
YTA for sending the email. Now you’ll have to change jobs.
NTA: Unpaid overtime? No thanks! I work for pay
Stand up for yourself and demand fair compensation for extra work!
Fair pay for your hard work is a non-negotiable!
Clearing up confusion: Who received the email? The whole lab?
Email recipients: boss, supervisor, and two other devs
Contract loophole? Stick it to the man with programming skills!
Burned bridges, seek new job, realistic pay without certification.
NTA for asking for a raise, but blew up the workplace
Standing up against unpaid overtime and toxic work culture. NTA
Curious about unpaid overtime? Find out why in this thread!
Lab worker suggests finding a new job and standing up
Time to say goodbye! Find a company that values you!
Savage revenge and a hilarious twist in an unjust workplace
Employer wants free work, commenter calls them out
Congrats on the lesson learned! Use it to find better opportunities
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/5af908df-4ac2-4b8e-a717-f9fc06670e70.png)
Value your time and never work for free ⏳️
“F**k you. Pay me.” – A worker demands fair compensation.
Confused about unpaid programming work? Time to find fulfillment elsewhere!
Volunteered to make a website, then demanded money halfway through?
Lab worker sets boundaries with boss, demands fair compensation
Not the a**hole. Tell us more about your experience!
Join a union if you are able. Not the a**hole! ✊
Escape the toxic work environment and find a brighter future!
Find a job that values your work and pays you
NTA, workplaces should value and compensate hardworking employees fairly
Unpaid overtime? You’re good enough to work, but not get paid?
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/ec52814b-1554-4769-baac-1c082f10e6ff.png)
NTA! Stand up for yourself and get that well-deserved raise!
NTA. Companies will keep adding on until you burn out
Fight back for your work! Don’t let them steal from you!
NTA. Time to find a workplace that values your skills!
Selling your labor: NTA, it’s not hostage if it’s your work
Stick to your contract and negotiate for anything extra.
Stand up for yourself and demand fair compensation!
Fighting for what’s rightfully yours: NTA holds work hostage
NTA – A tale of unpaid overtime and unmet expectations.
NTA. Unpaid overtime? Time to find a better-paying gig!
Code whiz turns the tables on unpaid overtime. NTA!
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/8f15d1c3-8fcd-40f5-a569-ff3ce072d8d3.png)
NTA: Time to level up and find a better job!
NTA. Stand up for yourself and find a better opportunity!
NTA, fight back! Contact labor board and HR
Resign immediately! ♀️ Don’t stay where you’re not respected. NTA
Stand up for yourself and show them your true value!
Lab worker fights back against evil thieves
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://diplycom5cc47.zapwp.com/q:i/r:0/wp:1/w:1/u:https://static.diply.com/2662df13-0b8c-4c8a-a61e-7dee72f69083.png)
Asking for a raise after taking on extra duties
Time to spread your wings and fly! You’re not the a**hole.
NTA. Act innocent and confused, seek legal advice for options
NTA post this on r/choosingbeggars
Web dev frustration: Just turn it over and call it a day! NTA
Time to find a new job and leave those games behind!
Stand up for yourself and demand fair compensation!
NTA. Unfair and exploitative management expecting unpaid web development work.
ESH territory: Lab worker’s self-inflicted burnout and unappreciated efforts
OP, you made the right move! Don’t let them devalue you.
Unpaid overtime? Know your rights and seek what you deserve!
NTA, but be cautious. Turn this situation into a golden opportunity!
Unpaid overtime: NTA demands respect and fair compensation
NTA: Know your worth and don’t let them gaslight you!
Lab worker shares the harsh reality of overworking and lack of support in European labs. Time to find a better opportunity!
Unpaid overtime and unmet expectations? NTA for holding them hostage!
“NTA NTA NTA
F**k corporate environments and their ‘woe is me’ cry. They exploit people for as long as they can and then try to blame the worker for doing what’s right if it doesn’t benefit them. If the work you do is valuable, then let them show you how valuable you are.
I would tell them ‘I am not keeping my work hostage from you, you are just trying to make me do things that are not in my job description and if you would like to revisit my role and the duties I have, then we must renegotiate my contract.’
I would also try to work in the fact that they didn’t say anything about your qualifications when they assigned you this work, but bring it up when you try to ask for more. If you don’t have the qualifications, why are they entrusting you with this. Or you could argue that you learned all this on your own without the qualifications, which shows that you are a self-starter and try to go above and beyond which is far more impressive. Whatever you say after that first line I said a paragraph up is up to you though and good luck.”
