When Rule Turns Oppressive: An Employee’s Online Account Sparks Debate

An Indian professional has stirred widespread conversation online after narrating his ordeal of working under an oppressive superior who insisted on unpaid overtime and attempted to intrude into his personal pursuits. In a Reddit post titled “My manager expects unpaid overtime, controls my personal life, and told me I'm ‘too young to have a life' while HR says he's wrong but cannot move me yet”, the employee described how additional responsibilities were thrust upon him, even though he consistently completed his tasks within standard office hours.

He wrote, "My manager has been pressuring me to work beyond my regular 8-hour shift without pay. He is convinced my performance is slipping because I do not put in unpaid extra hours," further adding, "There has been no formal performance warning, no missed deadlines, and no refusal of work. I complete everything assigned to me within office hours."

However, the situation escalated from professional to deeply personal. According to the employee, the manager began scrutinizing his hobbies and social interactions at the workplace.

He revealed, "My manager found out about my interests outside of work, and this is what he said directly to my face. He told me he will not give me any new or extra responsibilities anymore. He said "I only work for the money."

The instruction did not stop there. The manager allegedly discouraged him from socialising with colleagues who shared similar passions and dictated where he should sit during meals and breaks. The most troubling part for the young employee was hearing that he should not “have a life” simply because of his age.

Despite reaching out to HR, who acknowledged that the manager’s conduct was inappropriate, the employee found himself in a standstill.

He wrote, "HR is supportive of me, but they said they cannot move me to another team yet because there is no open position available. So for now, I am stuck reporting to the same manager."

To him, the ongoing ordeal no longer resembled performance evaluation but rather control, insecurity and punishment aimed at suppressing his individuality.

As the post gained massive attention, online users shared a mix of advice, empathy, and criticism toward the manager's behaviour. One commenter stated, "The manager tried. I quit. The manager got pissed. I didn't care. Found a new job. Paid better. Have been following the same policy since." Another urged resilience, saying, "He is manager and not God. Learn to fight back. Every other corporation is the same. You are young and that's your advantage, you can move out."

A third added pragmatic wisdom: "Listen everything, document everything and ignore everything. When the time comes, be ready with proof. Live your life the way you want. The more you climb the corporate ladder, you'll come across such people who are miserable and feel validated by making others more miserable."

And in a blunt remark, another user noted, "Bruh, everyone works for money only, I am surprised the manager is saying bullsh*t like this. Unless he does not own the company."