Extra work hours in the corporate culture have become a norm. Let alone leaving early, logging out on time is also looked down upon in certain companies. Bosses sometimes assign you tasks at the last minute when you are ready to go home, which leaves you stranded in the office for a long time. This practice, over time, can disrupt your work-life balance, causing stress and burnout. Some toxic organisations need to learn that there is a difference between humans and machines, as people need rest to function properly.
Employee shows boss a robot picture for special reason
Amid this debate, career coach Simon Ingari dropped a post on X where he touched on the topic in a wryly humorous way, sharing a story of an employee. His witty protest against extra work hours has now struck a chord with the masses.
In the post, the employee showed his boss a random picture, asking him what it was. When the boss identified it as a robot, the employee followed up with a series of questions, asking whether it had a soul, a family, responsibilities, pets, or even basic human needs like sleep and bathroom breaks. The boss responded negatively to every question.
Building on the exchange, the employee pointed out that, unlike a machine, a person like him required proper rest, a few breaks, and personal time to function well. He then reminded his boss of the times when he was given assignments at 8 pm, 11 pm and even as late as midnight, extending his usual shift.
Employee protests extra work hours
The employee further explained that being assigned tasks beyond office hours, as if he had no life beyond work, displayed his boss’s ignorance towards the basic reality of being human. The employee’s response underscored the need for boundaries, especially when work begins to spill into personal hours.
The conversation ended on a striking note, with the employee reminding his boss that he was not a machine designed for constant output. He even added a touch of humour, offering to share resumes of robots if that was the expectation. The boss was left without a response and fell silent.
Simon Ingari’s write-up quickly resonated with many online, as professionals related to the growing pressure of being constantly available. For several users, the exchange served as a subtle yet powerful reminder that setting boundaries at work is not defiance, but a necessary step towards maintaining balance and well-being.