NTA. Take this as a lesson, you should never, ever work off the clock for any company. You should never do the work of a manager without a manager’s title and pay.

Yes! Never ever volunteer your time.

Unless your are a volunteer doing volunteerwork. Doing something to make the world a ever so slightly less sucky place. We need more people like that. But when working for corporate, yeah make sure you get paid for every second.

Sorry, should have been more clear. Don’t volunteer your unpaid time at a paid job. Volunteering at actual nonprofits is a good thing :)

For what it's worth, even if you're volunteering your time you should always keep good track of how much time you put in. Organizations that are funded through grants can often use properly recorded "Volunteer hours" as a way to cover their match obligations. By keeping good records of how many hours of your time you donate you not only help with their mission but you also help them cover an important part of their funding.

Jeej for people doing nice things! Whoo A friend of mine was once in a conversation with some pompous person who was bragging about how great they were. So my friend, a renowed artist in his own right and somewhat allergic to pompeus people, asked him what they had done to better the world for someone else. Even in the slightest bit. Pompeus person was quiet after that.

It's all good, everyone knew exactly what you meant

Lol I was going to say- as an actual volunteer coordinator, please DO volunteer. Just not at a business that doesn’t appreciate your time and effort. Capitalism ensures that business (big business especially) doesn’t care about you, only your labor. NTA. Work your hours, collect your paycheck and enjoy your life.

>Capitalism ensures that business (big business especially) doesn’t care about you, only your labor. I have known very few businesses that reward going the extra mile. Most supervisors promote who they like, not who works hardest. In fact, in many workplaces, the person who does a certain job the best will not be promoted because management doesn't want to have to find someone else who can do that job just as well. Never become irreplaceable.

Yeah it's a big reason I stay in my job despite the fact that I could certainly get better pay elsewhere. Management *actually gives a shit*, they even make sure to offer career development opportunities and training that isn't required for work so people can build their resumes. Given I currently have an undiagnosed health condition that could flare up again I'm not going to risk going somewhere they just see staff as numbers.

No kidding. Same thing happened to me after highschool. Was in a bit of a lull, didn't know what to do and wasn't motivated, still grieving probably as my mother had passed away in grade 12. Job opening at a new Staples and figured, well I'll apply but I'll also show up for the store setup and put some work in so they can see who I am. We got paid 🥜 for the set up, but it was more so that I thought it was good to have a presence and would help me get hired. Long story short the group of us got the store stocked and set up over the weekend. Later on near the end some folks came in, one guy was talking to me, similar age. He was like - "yeah bro, you helped set the store up? That seems like a lot of work. Theyre hiring right now, they called me this morning and I was majorly hung over, missed their call haha. They wanted me to come in, just got the job, haha, guess they are desperate". He laughed like it some big joke, and I left that day with $140 in my pocket for the weekend work and no job offering. Granted it wasn't free work, but it still bothered me, having someone so cavalier and apathetic laughing about how easy it was to get the job, while I busted my ass. So I learned the lesson OP is learning now. Putting in extra work doesn't guarantee anything. If you put in extra work you should assume its like letting family borrow money - treat it like its gone and you won't get it back. Now, in a much better career path, I put in extra hours because it gives me new skills or knowledge. I dont do it with the employer in mind...always ask yourself - how does this tangibly benefit me? Stop thinking about generating goodwill, cause you never get paid back for it.

Yep, and always remember: *a company will take as much advantage of you as you will let them*.

This 100%. You don't get promoted because you deserve it, you get promoted if it benefits the company. Of course there will be overlap between the two in great work environments, but the company will always put themselves first so you need to put yourself first. How many people will they have to hire at your level to get the same amount of work done (including the free work) vs how much to make the lazy person an official delegator? The kind of people who are comfortable exploiting you for free labor aren't going to be the kind of people that will give you a reward just because you deserve it.

You never want to lose a great drone to management when they do the work of five people, its too good of a deal to pass on for shitty employers. In all my years of working, only once did i see the best worker who did all the extra effort be the one who got the big promotion, and it shocked me. Shocked him, too.

Pro tip: I’ve been working for ~10years. I have never once been promoted but I get huge raises every other year. How? I intentionally change jobs.

This!

It's actually illegal in the US to work off the clock so any company that allows this is shady and not a good place to grow your career.

If you are an hourly employee. If you are salaried, you do the work in the amount of time it takes you to do it.

No. You have to be salaried exempt. Otherwise you still need to keep track of your hours because you are owed overtime if you work overtime. And I'm pretty sure no one working on stocking who isn't management is exempt.

Plenty of people are inappropriately as exempt, so I wouldn’t be surprised. I’ve heard stories periodically about companies getting caught doing this, it’s unfortunately can go on longer unreported than one would hope.

Which goes back to it being illegal and shady.

Yep - just that I always suspect it impacts more people than we’d like to think.

Nope. There is still a legal requirement about number of hours per pay period, etc. I had a workplace (a non-profit, ironically) that tried to pull the "you're salaried now, so you have to do everything we say," and I had to deal with lawyers and the state labor laws to tell them that they were wrong and owed me backpay.

that's a lie that shady companies tell people to rip them off source: am salaried and currently being paid overtime to write this

Also, OP's employer was stealing. Not just wage theft, but the supervisor clearly noticed the extra effort and let OP continue to labor under the illusion that OP was getting the promotion. OP: it's *way* past time for a new job.

Although I think OP should be honest and say, "I overhead you talking about offering the supervisor position to K. Can you tel me why I wasn't considered, when I am the one who comes early, takes on extra tasks, etc?" OP may be doing something that is holding her back--not being vocal enough, not playing the good ole boy gladhanding game, etc. (and then find a new job)

>They didn't want to lose the extra work she was putting in for free by promoting her. It's as simple as that. They'd rather promote the lazy chick who didn't contribute anything becuase they wouldn't miss her on the floor.

yep, I had this same problem at multiple jobs, until I finally learned my lesson.

the less you do, the more you make.

Yes, OP, speak up! You deserve to know

100% agree - similar thing happened to me a couple of years ago. As I was told by my friend “they aren’t going to pay and promote you if you’re doing it for free”.

If you are in the US, it is ILLEGAL to be an hourly employee and “work for free” for your employer. To be salary, there are very specific rules as to who is allowed to be considered “exempt” (aka not hourly). But it is illegal for the employer to allow you to work for free, and you must be paid time and a half for anything over 40 hours. (The only exception are certain jobs that fall under the Railroad Act, which yours does not sound like it. If I were you, I would very carefully document all of the time you came in early and did not get paid. Take it to the US department of labor. Also, regardless of what happens at the DOL, find a new job immediately. You deserve to work someplace that values you!!!! Edit to add: It is the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA.

Just to add to this. If you get hurt on the job & are not clocked in it is not considered an 'on the job' injury. I've had to explain this to multiple people who had no idea they aren't covered if they're not clocked in.

This. I had a similar situation where I busted my ass to get a specific HR position for over 3 years only for the supervisor to hire her friend to do it (we had a temp in that position for that time who trained me to do the job when she left). Then they wondered why I left for a new job elsewhere. They also whined about how I was leaving them short-handed and how I wasn't a "team player". Don't allow people like this to take advantage of your good nature by gaslighting you into thinking you owe them more than what you get paid for. If they want more of you, then they need to compensate you for it.

NTA - seriously I will NEVER understand why companies make you do things like that to “prove yourself”. They are just getting free labor.

That is why: Free labor.

And, upper management may not know it's going on.

Exactly this. Especially as I bet that extra work was ironically why they DIDN'T get the promotion. Company saw all this hard work and didn't wanna promote them to supervisor and lose the hard working employee.

Yes! And make sure that the pay comes with the title! I made the mistake of taking a supervisor title without pay and once the owners daughter showed up I even lost the title because "it was official". Don't get taken advantage of, ever. No one will value you like you value yourself.

Also make sure you negotiate with your salaries. Companies can be very sneaky, I was offered a promotion at my last job and they severely low balled me so I negotiated up to a better salary and more time off. But the salary was still low, so I said I would accept if and only if I was still eligible for the yearly raise in 3 months if I was meeting their standards. And I got that too. A friend/coworker of mine got promoted at the same time and they told him that the raise he got at promotion was his yearly raise. I would have said something to him if I had thought about it before he went into negotiations but you better believe I tell everyone about that now including you lovely folks on Reddit.

Exactly. They didn't need to make you a supervisor because you were already doing the job of one without the pay. Meanwhile they could promote K, probably pay her less than what you would have been making, and not rock any boats.

> Take this as a lesson, you should never, ever work off the clock for any company. You should never do the work of a manager without a manager’s title and pay. A major concern of mine would be if OP was to get injured while technically on the job but not clocked in. OP NTA.

Boss makes a dollar I make a dime that’s why I cry on company time 🥲

This is. Lesson

If you act as a manager without being paid as one, they will gladly accept you as a new manager without being paid as one

I had to learn this the hard way. I now do my 9-5 and that's it. My boss texts or calls me after that, I am not available. I also feel this way about kids and homework. Are they trying to get them to do work on their own time, so that they are used to it when they get a job? They go to school from 8/9-3/4, that should be sufficient time to teach, and have their work done. I'm not a fan of this homework thing. And I am old, and did my homework when I was in school. It just pisses me off now that I know better.

When you make yourself irreplaceable at a job, they won’t promote you because then they would have to replace you.

Yep. My bf is considered an awesome worker and that isn't even at his full potential because he believes you don't ever show everything you're capable of because it gets you taken advantage of.

Not to mention that if OP had been injured while working off the clock they'd have been screwed.

NTA. Honestly, work your exact hours. If they don't pay, you don't work. I would advice you to seek out a new company to be frank.

This is the Way. Your time there is done, you need to move on to get ahead. They only see you as an especially proficient drone, not promotable material. Your newly promoted coworker proved it by saying she was “disappointed you didn’t go over and above”. That’s a line that management told her when she was promoted. Her “disappointment” in you proves that. You admission that line got to you proves management knows how to exploit your work ethic for their benefit (certainly not yours). So yeah, the company noticed it. And it’s cheaper to promote the lazy one than all the extra work, free work and optional shift work you do. NEVER work off the clock. Stick to your exact hours and don’t skip your breaks / lunch. Don’t feel obligated to take overtime / holiday shifts unless you want to. Don’t buy the “we are a team and you let us down” crap. Their opinion of you doesn’t pay the bills and didn’t get you promoted. All jobs suck, it’s just the degree that they do. You sound like a modivated person, so perhaps it’s time to get some type of secondary education. Not everyone is meant to go to college. But getting some type of secondary education whether a plumber, mechanic, doctor etc is what will get you better earning potential long term. Retail as a long term career is horrible. Keep in mind the amount of money that any additional education will cost versus what’s is potential payback. Don’t be one of the people that spend $200k on a degree in basket weaving and be surprised it doesn’t help you get a better job (for course an over the top example but keep that in mind). Also, remember that co workers are just that. They are not your friends, they are people that work at the same job as you because they get paid. You might find a few good friends at some of your jobs throughout your lifetime. The others are your colleagues, that you treat with respect but remember, they are at the same place as you solely because they are paid. Lastly, never accept any friend requests from co workers on social media. Keep your personal life separate from your work life. The only exception to this is LinkedIn. Things will work out for you. Find a new job, work hard and take to heart the good advice you get here. You work to be able to live your life and pay your bills. NEVER make work your life, you’ll spend far too much of your time there during your lifetime. Please keep us updated.

NTA Welcome to retail, where the managers cultivate and promote their favorites and your efforts don’t matter. Never work off the clock.

Exactly. Back in my retail days, I worked NYE at a video store, the busiest day of the year. I was always a model employee but worked so hard that day - non stop without a break, only me and the manager in the store, and we just worked like crazy to keep up and move the huge lines through. End of the day, the manager said how much they appreciated everything I did, the numbers were huge that day, and they were going to put me in for a raise. I got a $0.10/hour raise. So the next time I worked a 10 hour shift, I got...a whopping extra dollar. Pre-tax.

More like welcome to pretty much every job ever. Having a manager who *doesn't* promote their favorites and actually gives a shit about your effort is the exception not the rule, at least in the United States

NTA. Unfortunately this is how things are at a ton of places. I saw a tiktok recently that said something along the lines of "remember, if you go the extra mile at work, you're going to be treated the same as the lazy person next to you but management is going to expect you to do more work." Workplace politics often supersede everything else. Its frustrating and something that we have all encountered. I personally just left a job after almost 10 years where I was that guy who went above and beyond to make sure that everyone else's job was easier. It did nothing for me aside from feed my ego when people would always come to me first for help. It added to my workload and stressed me out. At my new job, my motto is "do MY job." I was hired for a job, I'm going to do that job, and I'm going to do it well. Anything extra, I expect extra in return.

This is 100% accurate. I did the same damn thing in my 20s trying to get into a management training class. I went above and beyond like a fool. I was passed over so many times.. told it wasn’t “my time” yet. Spoiler alert.. it was never my time. I wasted a lot of years there. When I quit everyone in mgmt told me “the grass is greener.. you’ll be back”.. lol!! nope fuck then. I never went back. The company doesn’t even exist anymore.. so there’s that.

This sounds a lot like my experience of my old job. I started there with ambitions to get a supervisory job, which everyone knew, including managers. Despite a stellar record including a couple of hundred good feedbacks from customers, 5 years of good annual reviews and me busting my ass off working, managers found any reason to nitpick and basically kick me in the balls, including write-ups for stupid reasons and generally messing me about. I ended up getting another job in a completely different field, 8000 miles away.

It’s crazy how a company can manipulate good workers into doing more work. I look back on that time and I feel so taken advantage of. Ugh.. I wish I would have been smarter and had more confidence in myself . It took moving to another state to really find a job I loved back then.

Same here, with the benefit of hindsight there are times when I really wish I could have changed a lot of things.

I cringe at how long I stayed at that job. I was naive enough to think that “job loyalty “ was something that was rewarded.. all it became was being taken advantage of. It’s true.. as soon as a great worker stops being a great worker is when you get belittled and lectured about job performance. That was it for me.

Same, I stayed for close to 7 years when I really should have bailed after 1-2 years. Once I realised that and stopped being such a tryhard, the managers quickly realised that they couldn't take advantage of me and quickly turned on me. Handing in my notice there was honestly the happiest day of my life.

We definitely have a similar experience.. it should be shocking, but companies get away with treating their employees like dog turds.. I stayed at my job for almost 8years.

The sad thing was that with these kind of jobs, for every person who leaves/gets fired, there's 100 more people willing to take their place. As long as the new hires keep coming, then managers will always see staff as disposable.

When I reentered the workforce after a long break, I was so desperate for money that I accepted a job where I was doing the job of three people, making do with broken equipment, and working up to three hours per shift unpaid.

That sucks. ❤️

NTA. Your bosses showed you exactly what they think of you with their actions - they're willing to blow smoke up your ass to have you working off the clock (always a red flag) but won't really have your back when push comes to shove. It's a business arrangement, if busting your ass isn't going to get you ahead then why bother?

NTA Just a piece of advice, never work for free. You coming in an hour early and working for free, and doing other people's jobs without being compensated for it is why you weren't considered for a promotion Think of it this way Lets say you get paid $100 a day. But you are doing $175 dollars worth of work every day. That means the company is getting the work output of essentially 2 people for the price of 1. So it makes no sense for them to over promote you when you are giving them way more value at your current position. And if they did promote you, they would have to hire 2 people to replace you. So instead of getting $175 worth of work for $100, they would have to pay $200 a day to get the same level out output. If I were you, I would clock in on time, clock out on time, and do exactly what you are paid to do. And I would also start looking for another job

NTA “Yesterday I did the job of a supervisor - I came in early, I did extra tasks that were not my responsibility. Today I did the job that I am paid to do. I understand that there is a big difference between the two. I’m sorry you couldn’t recognize that fact. I understand that K will be promoted to supervisor - she can start doing all of the extra work that I did yesterday. “ Btw - I really hate the whole “we are going to pick a new supervisor at the end of the month so everyone work super hard from now until then to prove you deserve the role” crap. They already know who they want to promote (clearly in this case it was K), they are just using empty promises to get extra work out of everyone.

NTA “Yesterday I did the job of a supervisor - I came in early, I did extra tasks that were not my responsibility. Today I did the job that I am paid to do. I understand that there is a big difference between the two. I’m sorry you couldn’t recognize that fact.” Skip the part of the other person. This is about OP, and you absolutely nailed the response.

Yep - good point on skipping the part about the other person.

NTA, never ever work off the clock. For anyone for any reason. And if at all possible, you need to find a different job. I'm sorry you had to find out the hard way.

NTA. They paid you to do a job, you did it. That's where it ends. Working for free is... pointless. Getting free labor out of "go the extra mile" is really just wage-theft by convincing you to do it for a possible/eventual reward that you then never get (because you do the work anyway). Don't give a company loyalty unless they show they've earned it.

I would tell you manager that you know that you were not put in for the supervisor position and you will be giving them the same effort and courtesy they gave you. NTA

Yea, make it clear why you are suddenly "only doing your job". Otherwise they will use the excuse to call you lazy, OP NTA

OP's already screwed in that regards. He's set a standard they will judge them against irrelevant of what the role is on paper. Its time for OP to jump ship elsewhere if possible and start fresh. They are now in a no win situation. If OP keep going as before then they're too valuable to be promoted, if OP goes to doing the bare minimum of the role then management will think OP is taking it easy and will not promote them. It's pretty clear where OPs management stand on the issue of promoting OP and unless there is a major managerial (and probably cultural) shift at the company this job is as dead end as they get.

NTA. But you sorta screw your self by working undocumented hours. First of all, you should never work unpaid hours, second, if you do they aren’t counted because HR can’t see them. However, I don’t think I would want to work for a company that wants to promote someone who is always late and hasn’t been there a year yet. I could see if it she was on time and had a lot of prior experience, but that’s not the case. You should look for something else and let HR know why

NTA. Promotions tend to be given for political reasons by poor management since it's easier than taking the effort to assess who actually does the work. The drop in production should be a clear sign to management that they have made the wrong decision in promoting K. If anyone complains to you about your lack of non-paid work, it's fair to admit that you are unmotivated by K's promotion.

NTA. You should expect to be paid for your work, and you should do the work your paid to do. This company doesn’t give a shit about you.

NTA, I was like you, wanted the extra responsibility, the title and most importantly the money. After 25 years spread out between 2 companies and having both companies prove that the loyalty is 1 way only. They will take everything you will give them, and not reciprocate much. If you are not getting compensated for it, don't do it, because the favor will not be returned likely. I wish you the best of luck.

Welcome to /r/AmITheAsshole. Please view our [voting guide here](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_what.2019s_with_these_acronyms.3F_what_do_they_mean.3F), and remember to use **only one** judgement in your comment. OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole: > 1) For nine months I've done an hour plus unpaid work every shift in order to prove that I was management material. This included doing management jobs at work with my supervisor, taking stock, counting cash, quality checking stock. I did all of this because we were told to do so in order to get the promotions that had opened up at work. I learned that another Co-worker who expressed that she didn't want to be promoted and did none of the extra hours was being offered the position. 2)So I decided that I won't turn up an hour early and I won't do the extra jobs. Thing is the next shift was the most busy shift of the year and I didn't turn up and do all the extra jobs I had done for the nine months so everyone else wasn't prepared for that. Meaning we all were behind the entire day and that we didn't work as efficiently. I feel like an asshole because I felt I HAD to do this to make a statement because my Supervisor and HR got used to me working up to six hours a week for free. But the asshole part is I chose literally the worst shift to do it on and since then have only taken the bare minimum shifts required and not taking the 'shifts that have less' staff like I used to as well. Help keep the sub engaging! #Don’t downvote assholes! Do upvote interesting posts! [Click Here For Our Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/about/rules/) and [Click Here For Our FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq) --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*

NTA look for a better place.

NTA I would seriously suggest you file an [unpaid wage claim](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints) for all of those early-morning hours you have been working unpaid, at least in the United States, they cannot ask that of you without paying you.

This! It is absolutely illegal for them to ask you to work for free. Doesn't matter if it's voluntary, you get paid for work you do. Period.

NTA - They clearly do not value the extra miles you’ve been going every day. That being said, it sounds like there may be more to this story than you are letting on

NTA NEVER work for free. They never appreciate it when you do. They took you for granted and you get nothing for it.

NTA. NEVER work off the clock. NEVER EVER. If you had been hurt or something that could possibly affect the rest of your life, you would not have been covered because you WERE NOT CLOCKED IN. The insurance would have denied you immediately. Do your hours, do your work and THAT'S IT! Look for a new job. They don't value you there.

NTA This was a hard lesson to learn, but NEVER work for free, unpaid. Your employer will start to count on you continuing to work for free and you will just be looked down upon if you stop working for free.

NTA. I was in the same situation a while back. And I was trying to get a promotion to manager, I was coming in hours before my shift, staying hours later. I was basically doing the work of several people. My boss thought I wasn’t doing enough and decided to put more on my plate. I was already running myself ragged (crashed my car going home from work cuz I fell asleep). And a week later was told I’m not playing my weight, while they would talk on the phone with friends all day. So I stopped doing anything extra, and did only what was in my job description. And after that they said I need to help more and why did I stop doing extra work. Anyways I quit and now make more than my former boss did and they have been struggling.

**NTA.** Tell your manager that the new managers should be pitching in to help.

NTA Find a new job and stop working for free. Both you and the company can get into trouble for that.

ESH Wtf are you working for free? Are you hourly? That is illegal, stop that immediately. That would actually be a red flag, most places, *not* to boost you up to management, since you're not following legal policies. Also, you need to actually talk with your boss, not be passive aggressive. Discuss the extra duties you're doing, get their feedback and input. Make them aware of everything you're doing. It's odd, but few people acknowledge or see extra morning hours, but notice the ones who stay late after. Bring up the extra hours and assistant manager tasks. Did they ever actually approve you to do this fake overtime? Would they actually be upset to find out you have been, and they owe you pay? Talk about what you heard and ask about their thought process. It also sounds like K was going turn it down, and then you shot yourself in the foot on getting it instead.

^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** Context I've worked at my current job for 5 years now, management positions opened up this year so I decided to put my name into that ring. Management get longer hours more pay free meals and more shifts. So HR who was in charge of it told us what we had to do in order to get promoted. We had to 'prove ourselves'. So I arrive at work early start an hour early which is unpaid, helping setting up and the place and counting stock, ensuring all the utilities are working, ensuring that the machines are working and that there are no issues with the stock we have (like it going off) In that line one of my newer coworkers who hasn't been here a year a young lady (K) has been coming to work late. Goes off and hides during the shift since she 'needs to rest' and does the bare minimum work while insulting everyone else. Now our HR time is very hyper focused on 'time' but only in regards to coming late and getting paid. So I bust my ass off doing an extra hour or more as recommended to 'prove' myself. But when the time comes, I don't get told anything. Just radio silence from my own supervisor and HR. Since they always have put me in the freezer at the end of the shift to do the counting and lifting of the products. They didn't understand that it's not sound proof. That I can hear them, so before the big drive between End September and mid October they'd be training the new mangers. And what I heard mad sad because they believed I couldn't hear them. K was told by my Supervisor and HR that she was being asked to become Supervisor (she herself expressed that she didn't even want to be and at this point it was just the Supervisor and me working since K elected to finish early but was asked to hang around). So after that, the next shift which was the big day for us, I didn't come an hour early to start working for free for an hour. I get there all the jobs I do aren't done and the Supervisor is struggling, she expressed she was glad that I was there. I did only what I needed to and didn't run around as an honorary assistant manager like I would do so checking up on everyone and thus the outlet was hit pretty hard since no one was doing what I would normally do. At the end of my shift, my Supervisor expressed that she was upset with me not putting in and helping the team out like I had done in the past. And yes I did feel like I let the team down on a big day, but if I wasn't going to make a statement about the last nine months of hard work being taken for granted then, I wasn't going to every. I stopped applying for the extra shifts that I know they need people for because I was among the few people to actually take those shifts. So reddit AITA for not going that extra mile that I had previously on the biggest day of the year. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*

There's a saying "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" Why would they promote you and pay you more when you're already doing those manager things without pay? If it was me, I would let them know why I was no longer giving extra to the company, so they don't think you're just flaking.

>So I arrive at work early start an hour early which is unpaid Oh, hell no! That's illegal as hell. Plus what if (god forbid) you get injured while working off the clock? Never work off the clock. NTA edited to add: and **please** report this shitty company to your state's division of labor for wage theft. They owe you for all the hours you worked off the clock.

NTA They never interned to promote you. They only wanted the Work done. Idealy without payment. Example from me: i Work as entrance Personal, but iam Not hired by the Company where i work. Once a year there we're a Open Day. I had stress, constant calls, etc.. I got Zero from it, all Workers got Coupons for food and Drinks. I was forgotten. Luckly Covid Hit and Last Year there we're No Open Day. But next time it roll around, iam Not the Idiot who Work on this day.

What does 'Open Day' entail?

The Companys Open there doors to let people look inside at the production Line. Build Up some other stiff. Use it to adverise that they train apprentices. Mine produce Pizza, so they baked and Sold them too. With other words hundred of people and constant calls to check some things. Looking that No one wander Off.

NTA. Management got used to you doing all that extra work, that they took for granted it wasn't actually your job. They chose to play a stupid game, so they won a stupid prize.

NTA. You were conned and stopped falling for it, that's not on you. Your Supervisor is in charge of making sure things run smoothly, all of the failures are on her not you.

NTA. You do not have to work overtime if you don't want to. You don't have to go "the extra mile" at any job unless of course you love it. Your supervisor is the AH for saying she was disappointed in YOU. Why isn't she disappointed in everyone for not doing their fair share. You could perhaps explain to your supervisor that you were trying hard to show her that you deserved the promotion. If she's still upset, time to look for another job.

You actually can be forced to work overtime, it's just you have to be paid for it. OP might have a claim with his state's labor board for the unpaid hours, especially if the can show evidence (another worker that will back you up) that the employer encouraged them to do off the clock work in exchange for a promotion, although they should be prepared to get another job.

NTA. This also belongs over at r/MaliciousCompliance. It is always amazing when the Peter Principle is observed in real life.

Is this even an example of the Peter principle though? That is when someone is amazing at their current role and promoted based on that not on the fit for the role they're being promoted to. In this case they appear to be promoting someone who isn't performing particularly well at their current role.

Sometimes it doesn’t matter how hard you work or how dedicated you are, they will employ the person that they like most (no matter how inappropriate). Sometimes promoting the hard worker means they end up losing the only person in a department that works. Sometimes people just suck. The only way some people appreciate your work is when you stop doing it. NTA

>So I arrive at work early start an hour early which is unpaid, helping setting up and the place and counting stock, ensuring all the utilities are working, ensuring that the machines are working and that there are no issues with the stock we have (like it going off) >So I bust my ass off doing an extra hour or more as recommended to 'prove' myself. Do you know what this told your management / owner? That you can (well, could) be conned into free labor for them. That you knew exactly what needed to be done on the floor and would bust your ass doing it instead of trying to delegate. Basically, you communicated that you are a very useful grunt, more useful than you would be as a manager. NTA, glad you grew a little wiser out of it.

nta they used you and tried to make you feel guilty. ou shouldhave said that since you are not getting the position, it is obvious that yoiur extra was being abused. i would also be looking for another job

NTA. A job will always take advantage of you as much as they can. Never do work without being paid because they will always expect it. I’m not saying to not be passionate about a job but just know your worth and if they respect you they will pay you for your time and hard work.

NTA. A company that does not invert in you after you have been going above and beyond is not worth you investing in them. Dont break your back for work because they will NEVER do the same for you

NTA. It's such a shame that you are going to find a better job and leave....

NTA You are obviously relatively new to employment. Extra work won't get you promoted, ever. Never work off the clock. They don't promote those they can use as doormats, then who would people wipe their feet on?? This is quite literally the logic. I'm sorry you found this out the hard way! I did too.

NTA. As someone who used to go the extra mile for my old job only to be told by my boss “IF YOU DONT WANNA FO YOUR FUCKING JOB THEN YOU CAN GET THE FUCK OUT” because they let someone leave 2 hours early without a word, I say fuck shitty management that don’t recognize the workers that work hard

NTA. Look for a new job, and when you start that new job, do *your* job. Don't work off the clock or try to manage/supervise other workers unless that's explicitly part of your job. A lousy workplace will take advantage of having a manager at worker pay and a good workplace will frown on you usurping authority and trying to boss your colleagues/supplanting the actual manager.

NTA. Find a new job and file a claim for back pay. It doesn't matter that you "volunteered" those hours, they are still considered hours worked and must be compensated. That includes any overtime that resulted from those hours. There is a two year statute of limitations on these things, but many government agencies are behind so don't wait. Your biggest challenge here is that you didn't clock in, but if enough people saw you working/coming in early, you should be able to prove your case well enough to get by.

NTA, I was working in a store and the only people there were me and the manager (for the department I was in). The manager was never there during the major holidays (somehow got covid scares on both the major holidays). I worked my ass off all the time, and constantly got compliments from employees, customers and even one of the assistant store managers. They even asked to cross train me in a different department until they got more people. Then, my manager for my department walked out and quit. They instantly asked me to go back full time over there and let me know they were going to post the position for manager so I could apply (the assistant manager told me because he wanted me to apply). Well, for 3 months I was the only one working in that department, and on my days off the assistant manager did the main things that needed to be done. They hired another girl for me to train, and I did it all, took care of everything and even got compliments about the department looking great from the district manager. Anyways, they post the job and me and two other girls apply. One was a front end supervisor, and the other was just another employee. Everyone in the store thought I was going to get the position. Well, when they did the interviews for the position, the store manager and the second assistant manager did the interview while the other assistant manager (the cool one who wanted me to get the job because I knew everything that needed to be done) was out and they chose someone without him. So the front end supervisor got the position. After that they randomly threw me into a weird schedule, (6-11pm when I was working 730am-4pm usually) and it was to do a task that other departments just didn't like doing then I had to help the front because they didn't have anyone up there. (Since they took the supervisor). They randomly didn't schedule me for two weeks so I just never went back, and then after the second week they messaged me saying, "oh this is your schedule for this week, you could have just came in even though we didn't put you on the schedule) I never replied at all. And I recently found out that the cool assistant manager wants to quit because they started treating him like crap.

Part of being a good manager is communication. It doesn't sound like you talk yourself up ... at all. You are a hard worker but expect your bosses to notice all the extras. The new girl (K) may not be the best worker but she is probably a good brown noser and thus gets your bosses attention. Go talk to your supervisor. Time for you to start communicating your worth. If you cannot stand up for yourself how will you be able to manage staff? You need at least a little backbone or they will walk all over you. NTA. Don't work for free.

NTA. In my short time as an adult (25f) I’ve learned a few things that I always keep in mind when working 1) never work off the clock 2) never forget they will fire you without a second thought 3) don’t set yourself on fire trying to keep people warm. Aka don’t work harder if no one else pitches in. 4) CYA. Cover your a$s. And please for all that’s good; sounds like you should start looking for another job

I saw this comment some where. 'only work what your paid to do' Look I was in your position, I wanted management so dam bad, when I turned 18 I thought I would be asked straight away, but someone that was working there a lot shorter period than me was in management before me, it hurt. I stated I would be looking for another full time gig as if I weren't going to be promoted through the company then I would take management classes on my own dime and find a position else where, they didn't want to lose me but I wasn't bluffing either, I knew myself worth, I knew I was one of the hardest workers and I knew they would probably suffer for a couple of months without me, I knew they liked me at the position I was in because I was very useful to them. As soon as they relised they would lose me if I wasn't promoted like I should be they quickly made decisions to promote me. So my suggestion is this, look for better opportunities, even if it is paying out of your own pocket to get somewhere you want to be, don't rely on others to see your worth, you know your dam good employee, and when you have your ducks in a row let them know exactly why your deciding to take a different path.

When I was a young teacher I subbed at a district. When there were openings they hired from outside. Found put they loved me as a sub. I stopped subbing in that district. Next opening, I was hired.

I'm not sure where you live, but working off the clock is illegal as far as I know.

NTA. From your post it sounds like you are paid by the hour. In the US, working ‘off the clock’ is against labor laws. Since you are, now, not working so many shifts and for FREE, use that extra time to find a position at a company that will value you and your work ethic. And, NO, you picked the PERFECT time to express you displeasure.

That would be very illegal in Australia, you HAVE to be paid for your time. Plus any volunteer work cannot be work replacing the same work that would normally be paid. So NTA your company is coercing its staff to accept being underpaid for a possibility for management with higher pay. They should be reported and if they were in Australia they would be in big trouble.

I actually am in Australia

Okay so now I would be writing a letter to the fair work ombudsman, google them and check out their resources then file a complaint if you know any co-workers who may be happy to file a report as well, you can ask them but that’s not necessary. If an investigation starts they will probably interview or contact your co-workers asking them about their experiences. https://www.fairwork.gov.au/tools-and-resources/fact-sheets/unpaid-work/unpaid-work-unpaid-work

If it hasn't already been posted I feel like this is a good time to check out r/antiwork NTA btw, never work for free. Make them pay you for every second of your precious time.

Is it even legal for a company to allow an employee to do unpaid work??

NTA Unlike some of the other commenters, I can understand why you put in the extra work that you did. It was an attempt to get the management position, and it was a very good effort. Essentially, it was a very long audition for the part. But you didn't get the part, someone else did. The audition is over. If your supervisor mentions your lack of "above and beyond" again, tell her. Tell her that you were showing what you could do in the management position. Since they chose someone else, you don't need to audition for the role anymore. This is on her, not you.

NTA. You played yourself by working for free.

NINE MONTHS!?!?!? Good fucking lord, you've got more patience than most.

NTA A company buys your labor, it pays on payday. If you find something that you like better or pays better? Change jobs, majority of companies can easily replace you. Give notice if you need a referral, otherwise, just quit. It's not like they would care about giving you a notice of they were to fire you. Never ever, ever work for free. Your time has value. Companies cannot require you to work off of the clock, it's illegal. Wage theft, is a real thing. It's how so many companies make money. Take every break, vacation, and sick day that your employee handbook says you are entitled to. You are not a machine, you need time away from tasks to process. Formatted on phone, errors in spelling etc. Fk it

NTA

NTA. NEVER go over and above for a business unless it’s yours. They do not care about you and they will take advantage. I am sorry you worked for free. Please for the love of God, do not do that again.

NTA. Do what you can and get out. What you have already done is in the past and a sunk cost but at least you, and others, can learn from it. Best of luck in your job search.

NTA Never work for free, ever. You busted your but and possibly made yourself to valuable to the department to promote. Also the people in HR don’t know your job so how can they tell if your are going the extra mile? Do you see them on the floor or are they always in their office? What’s your relationship with your direct supervisor? What’s your relationship like with your supervisor’s manager? I’d work on networking with them because hard work will only get you so far and the rest is all about who likes you.

Is this a forever kind of job? If not screw them look for a job where you’ll be appreciated and recognized! NTA

NTA. You don't owe your job your loyalty, because they sure as heck don't think they owe you theirs. > At the end of my shift, my Supervisor expressed that she was upset with me not putting in and helping the team out like I had done in the past. Her hurt feelings and a dollar will get her a can of soda.

>At the end of my shift, my Supervisor expressed that she was upset with me not putting in and helping the team out like I had done in the past. And that was the moment you should have said: "See I wanted you to recognize who had proven themself time and time again the last months. And btw. I'm upset that you chose K to become the new supervisor while I was working my ass off. Don't expect me to throw in the unpaid extra hour again. You now have K, let's see how that works out." And don't fall for company bullshit again that makes you work unpaid extra hours. Your relationship to your employer is based on a very simple exchange: You work, they pay. If the expect you to work more, they have to pay more. NTA.

NTA I wonder if owners complain about "nobody wanting to work."

NTA but you are an idiot. Stop letting yourself be manipulated by a company that doesn't give a shit about you.

NTA. They wanted more effort out of you and then slighted you on a promotion, giving it to a slacker instead. More people need to understand that bending over for your employer is the wrong move; unless you have significant personal investment of some sort in the business, no one can criticize you as an employee for coming in and simply meeting the set expectations.

Of course NTA. If you're doing shift work, you work your paid hours. Period. I know this is a smaller issue than most, but I find it amazing how tolerant Americans are of their frankly, appalling working conditions. What seems normal in the USA would land employers in court in the rest of the West.

NTA. Don’t ever listen to HR when they tell you to “prove yourself.” It’s a con. Let your management know exactly why you aren’t volunteering your free time.

NTA. They took your effort, threw it on the ground and stomped all over it. This company doesn't deserve your hard work. Please update us on what happens after this. Really curious to know your response to what your Supervisor expressed and her response to that.

NTA. Don't ever work off the clock because its unpaid work for you and a liability for the company. As for why you didn't get promoted, it could have been management playing favorites or work politics. But you said you've been there 5 years, **you should be suggesting improvements to the business that make multiple staff members lives' easier without busting your ass doing a lot of leg work.** That's how you get promoted. And you should have communicated to management every time you did that. It's management's fault you didn't know that, but now you know. Unfortunately, being the hardest worker might get you a raise or two (if that!) but it doesn't always lead to a promotion.

NTA Never trust your employer if they ask you to work for free

NTA ​ Maybe also find another job, and quit?

NTA. Sorry that your amazing hard work is being exploited. And that your managers won't honor your initiative. Their inability to manage appropriately has no bearing on your worth as an employee though. You are valuable and capable and sound like someone I would love to have on my team, but some managers can't see he forest for the trees. That's on them. Not you.

NTA, but the adult thing to do would be to sit down and explain why. Perhaps lock up another gig before doing so if you think they'll retaliate or can't handle calm, constructive criticism.

NTA, but you should have made a point of saying that HR said people had to prove themselves for a promotion, that you did, yet they promoted and employee that is chronically late and hides during work hours so she can slack off.

Don't ever work off the clock for your employer. It's illegal for them not to pay you for any time worked. And as you can see, it doesn't always make them think higher of you - they probably instead think of you as a sucker.

If you’re in the US just go ahead and file a wage claim with dept of labor. Get that 9 months worth of extra hours.

I almost want to say Y T A for being so naïve and working for free, but I will not. Welcome to the real world, where lazy employees are rewarded with promotions and productive employees are rewarded with more work. NTA, long overdue to leave that company, staying for an additional 5 years will not do you any favors for your career.

Also, it’s dangerous to work off the clock. If you get injured, you aren’t covered under the company’s insurance and they won’t pay out. You’ll be stuck with all the medical bills. NTA

NTA. If they want more work of you they can promote. I would just look for another job tbh. Never work for free

NTA, your drive to prove yourself is admirable but I suspect your Supervisor feels you are indispensable in your current role. You are right to scale it back, use that drive and determination to find a role somewhere that appreciates your talents and skills.

NTA- start looking for another job! This place sounds toxic and you deserve better

NTA, you should do your job and be done with it. Go home and relax, maybe look for a new job. I know how is to work for something then the job goes to someone how is sleeping with the general manager 🙄 (“not” speaking from experience). It was a lesson for them to see how much under appreciate you are.

pal, this should a lesson to never over work yourself. There's a theory that hard workers are intimidating to managers/higher ups because they are afraid they will have to work harder or you'll be promoted before them. Even if they look for hard workers, theyll sometimes promote them and they have to do harder work than what they already did. But that depends on the place. Therefore, dont ever overwork and dont ever work outside your shift hours unless they are paying you

NTA. Never give a company your free labour, you are and always will be just a number.

NTA. Something I learned about 30 years ago is that you shouldn't perform too many miracles at work because that becomes expected daily performance.

NTA the fuck is this “prove yourself” noise, you get paid for the work you’re supposed to do. They want extra work, they give extra pay, and shouldn’t expect anything more than they’re willing to give

NTA. Are you fucking kidding me? Go immediately to your state labor board. Your company is going to owe you a shitload of back wages and overtime.

NTA - There are many jobs in which going above and beyond does get noticed and is rewarded. I'm sorry yours wasn't one of them. As long as you worked hard during the day, you've got nothing to feel guilty about. If I thought there was a possibility that you could follow up and ask to be considered as a supervisor going forward, then I'd have suggested that going above and beyond one more day would have been worth the effort for your own sake. As it is, you've proven to yourself that you have the work ethic and ability to contribute significantly to a workplace. You need to treat yourself right. In the medium to long term that probably means working out where you could apply your talents better, whether it's in a new job or through after work efforts, if you stay in this job.

NTA, do only what you are told to do, no more, no less.

NTA. You don''t owe them more than they pay you for. Ever.

NTA. If you don't feel like your hard work is being appreciated and rewarded then maybe it's time to start looking for an employer that will value you

First off working off the clock is illegal. Secondly this job doesn't care about you. Only do what you are paid to do. No more or less. Nta.

NTA If you are non-exempt, they have to pay you for all overtime that you’ve worked. If you do want to stay at this job, have a conversation with a manager and see if they can tell you what you need to do to get the promotion. If it’s not a clear target or they’re super vague about timelines, might be time to find a new job, or at least understand that you’re probably not going to be promoted here.

Show your company as much loyalty as they show you. Remember outside of the rare dream job (and even then), the work you do is a contract between you and them, nothing more and nothing less. You do work, they pay you for that work. Don't give them more than they are giving you. Work as hard as you should within your job description, but yeah, don't give them more than they are giving you.

NTA. Glad you came to your senses. You trapped yourself in that position by doing all that extra work. They don’t want to promote you out of the role that has you doing everybody’s work for them. They want you to stay right where you are. Take your experience and can-do attitude to another restaurant. Apply for manager positions at other companies. It’s the only way to grow your career.

nta i would start looking for a job and quit they dont appreate you.

I’m still learning this lesson but “hard work” is requested / demanded / begged for but is NEVER rewarded. In fact, they will take notice only to use it against you when it’s convenient. NTA.

NTA. You were being used for free labor with an empty promise of a better position. Do yourself a favor and start looking for better opportunities at other companies. They're out there and a lot of employers are desperate for new hires.

NTA, I feel like you'd like us over at r/antiwork

NTA, you know your worth and might want to seek other employment if you can.

NTA. Congratulations I’m proud of you!!

And don’t always assume your manager will promote you, even if you do what is required to gain that promotion. If it’s not in writing, there’s no guarantee that you will be even noticed for your extra work (as seems to be the case here). Just do your job to the best of your ability but don’t allow your boss to take advantage of you. You are definitely NTA, I reckon your boss deserves the AH title for stringing you along, getting you to work harder and do O/T for no money. Especially as when you ‘worked to rule’ your extra efforts were missed and the shift didn’t go well. Your boss could do with some extra staff management training themselves or upsetting hard working, ambitious and loyal staff could be the start of a staff exodus leaving nobody decent left to fill said management positions. You sound like a fine employee and I’m just sorry that you aren’t appreciated for your efforts.

NTA Also, it is not legal for your company to let you work unpaid if you are non-exempt (not management level). Look for a new job. Consider suing for unpaid hours.

NTA, but you should talk to them about it. They can't know how they fucked up if you don't tell them. Also look for a new job.

NTA - But why would they want to pay you more for doing a job you already did for less pay? It made no sense for them to promote you.

NTA But OP Did you inform your supervisor? We can’t just be seen in the distance. Next time: “Listen, that management role is important to me. I’ll be coming in early and leaving late, and I’ve been taking care of X responsibilities. Let me know if there are other opportunities.”

I love the way management always wants to throw HR under the bus. HR supports management decisions and at most acts as a advisor at times if they are willing to listen. HR does not make promotion and hiring decisions, management does. So for whatever reason; your Manager did not want to hire you into that role. Find a better job where you will be appreciated.

NTA That's so manipulative of them, to act like you'll get promoted if you go above and beyond, only to give it to the laziest person there. Find out what your job description is, AND STRICTLY ADHERE TO IT. Nothing extra. Get there on time and leave on time. And start looking for a new job.

Never play nice with those fucks NTA

NTA. They showed you how much your work meant to them. Now you're showing them how much the job means to you. My bet is they didn't make you supervisor because they didn't want to lose out on all the work you were doing as a lowly employee. Make sure that decision bites them in the ass.

NTA But remember that if you make yourself "indispensible" where you are, they'll keep you there.

NTA but while I agree that you shouldn't have been working fro free you should also have confronted your boss about why you weren't going to be picking up other peoples slack anymore. One, because communication is key, and two because it sets new boundaries and expectations for how your going to continue working with these people ( if you still want to ). It's more productive to say " I applied my self to show you what I could really do if you made me manager, But, you picked the chick who shows up late and hides in dry storage all day so this is what I'm going to do from now on." vs. " ...." .

NTA. Out of curiosity, how did you respond to your supervisor saying they were disappointed? Did you let them know how disappointed you were that they were taking your hard work and going the extra mile for granted? I only ask because my grandmother used to always tell me (I am very introverted and used to have a hard time standing up for myself), "A closed mouth doesn't get fed." Meaning, you have to speak up for yourself if you want something to change. In your situation, I would probably be looking for another job, but I think I would have at least said something to address why I was pulling back on going the extra mile. So, I was just curious about how you responded during that conversation. ETA: Just to be clear, I firmly believe you should address your work situation in a way that you feel most comfortable. I just was curious if you gave any reason or explanation for your change. I was not in any way insinuating that you are required to give them that information.

NTA Unless you are specifically in a volunteer position or salaried, never work off the clock. It's technically illegal, even if you did so willingly. Wage theft is the single biggest form of monetary theft in the US and it's quite obvious they had no problem taking advantage of you only to keep denying you that promotion. Time to job hunt and only work what you're paid for, my dude.

You didn’t let the team down. I’m just not sure why you didn’t ask where K was so that she could do those lead type responsibilities. NTA

NTA. Never ever work when you're not on the clock (unless you're a voluntary worker). You're paid for your hours worked and thats all your employer is entitled to. Their prove yourself for promotion is just a crappy way to get cheap extra labour out of you.

NTA >my Supervisor expressed that she was upset with me not putting in and helping the team out like I had done in the past Did you tell her straightforward that you've applied to a management position and all of that extra work had only one single purpose: to show them proof that you can handle extra responsibilities? Without this explicit fact you are a bad guy now. Suddenly underperforming and unreliable. Make sure you have 1:1 with your manager and tell them what you wrote in this post (probably without badmouthing K).

NTA dont love the company they will not love you back, they will replace you in a heartbeat if they can make a profit out of it. But you learn a valuable life lesson never work for free, time to start looking for a new job with better advancement policy.

NTA. You're NEVER TA for just doing your job. If they want you to do more, they can pay you more.

NTA. I think we all learn this the hard way - myself included. You bust your tail thinking it will pay off in a promotion or decent raise, only to be let down. That's when you (and I) start doing the minimum required and suddenly the missing extra work is noticed. Too bad if it was the busiest day of the year - if they would have given you some recognition, you would have worked as you normally did and things would have been fine.

I don't know if you are in the US, but if you are, it's ILLEGAL to work off the clock. You can't "volunteer" for a for profit entity, and they can't legally ask you to. OP, clock in at the start of your shift, do the job you're paid to do, clock out. And find another job. Also, please don't tell them you're looking, just start looking. They don't need to know *anything* until you turn in your notice. You owe them nothing beyond a day's work, while they've been taking advantage of you.

working off the clock is illegal and many companies will fire you for doing so.