Thomas was determined to succeed at his new job, so he worked hard and tried to be a team player. However, his boss began crossing boundaries by constantly calling him after hours — late at night, during dinner, and even on weekends — for non-urgent work matters. At first, Thomas tried to accommodate, but it began to affect his family life and personal well-being.

Realizing things were getting out of hand, Thomas decided to set a clear boundary. He told his boss politely but firmly that he wouldn’t be taking calls after 5 p.m. unless it was an emergency. The next day, a company-wide memo was sent out about “team commitment,” and everyone immediately suspected it was aimed at him.

Thomas felt humiliated as coworkers began treating him differently. Even though he knew he had done the right thing, the tension at work grew, and he started questioning whether standing up for himself had been worth it.

His story shows how difficult it can be to balance career ambition with personal boundaries — and how setting limits at work can sometimes come at a cost, even when it’s necessary for one’s mental health and family life.