Employee refuses to work after shift, shares chat that’s now going viral

A post on Reddit has sparked discussion about work-life balance after an employee shared a screenshot of a senior asking them to work beyond official hours. The employee’s polite but firm response has drawn attention online, with many users weighing in on professional boundaries at workplaces.

Reddit post goes viral

The incident came to light through a post on the r/IndianWorkplace subreddit titled, “Senior asked me to work after hours. What do I do now?”. The user explained that their shift runs from 12 PM to 9 PM IST and that while they sometimes stay late when needed, they do not want to make it a routine.

"Okay, so a senior of mine in my team asked me to work after shift hours on something. Honestly, my shift timings are from 12 PM - 9 PM IST, and I can work for some days when there's a requirement. But I don't want to make it a habit or routine & give the idea that they can take advantage of my after-hours time," the Redditor wrote.

Employee’s response to the senior

The screenshot shared in the post showed the employee’s message to their senior, clearly setting boundaries on availability after working hours.

“Sorry, I am happy to work as much as needed and for as long as required within my shift hours. However, I have some personal commitments after that, so I'll need to prioritise those once my shift ends. I can be available if there is an emergency, but I won't be able to commit to working beyond my shift hours. Thank you for understanding.”

The senior’s reply was short: “Can you send the same in the email to me?” This response left the employee unsure if it was a formal request or an attempt to document the exchange for HR purposes.

Online discussion on workplace boundaries

The post quickly went viral, drawing hundreds of reactions from professionals who shared similar experiences. Many Reddit users supported the employee’s decision to assert boundaries, saying that respecting personal time is key to maintaining productivity and mental health. Others warned that the senior’s response could indicate an escalation of the issue within the company.