I was written up for leaving at 5:30 — exactly when my contract says my day ends.
My manager called me in, irritated. “Everyone stays until at least seven. It shows commitment.”
I kept my voice steady. “That’s not in my contract. My hours are 9 to 5:30.”
She rolled her eyes. “Doing the minimum won’t get you ahead here.”
I left frustrated but decided something important: I would follow my contract exactly. Nothing extra, nothing less. And every day after that, at 5:30, I walked out.
A month later, HR asked to see me.
My manager was already in the room, looking pleased, like she’d finally caught me. But HR had a different tone.
“We’ve reviewed the timesheets,” they said. “Writing someone up for leaving on time violates policy and the employment agreement.”
Other employees had reported pressure to work unpaid overtime, and my write-up became proof. Legal had even looked at it.
HR told her she’d need retraining, and from now on, no one could stay late without approval and overtime pay.
Her face went red.
Some coworkers quietly thanked me. Others act like I ruined things. My manager barely speaks to me.
I don’t regret standing up for myself.
But I still wonder what comes next.
