A longtime employee refused to train a new hire after hours without pay—and soon faced retaliation. His boss canceled his approved leave overnight and hinted he wasn’t being a “team player.” With HR known to side with management, he’s now torn between standing up for himself and protecting his job.
The story highlights a common workplace dilemma: setting boundaries in small companies where power is uneven. Experts advise documenting everything, reviewing company policies, communicating calmly, and carefully weighing next steps before escalating the issue.