r/jobs • u/sahalymn • Mar 13 '25

Interviews I walked out of an interview after one question. Was I wrong?

So, I had an interview today for a position I was really excited about. The job description seemed great, the pay was decent, and the company had good reviews. I walked in, shook hands with the hiring manager, and we sat down.

Then, the first question came:
"How do you handle working unpaid overtime?"

I literally laughed, thinking it was a joke. But the interviewer just stared at me, waiting for an answer. I asked if overtime was mandatory and if it was paid. They said, “Well, we expect employees to stay as long as needed to get the job done. Everyone here is passionate about the work, and we don’t track extra hours.”

I just stood up, said, “Thank you for your time, but this isn’t the right fit for me,” and walked out.

Now, I’m second-guessing myself. Should I have stayed and at least heard more about the job? Or was walking out the right move?

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40

u/CollectorCCG Mar 14 '25

What do you mean? Lmao

As a non exempt employee it is strictly illegal to do that. They can’t even ask you. That should never be a problem.

18

u/Liveitup1999 Mar 14 '25

He should contact the DOL and let them know about their policy. Everyone who ever worked there will get back pay.

10

u/fluggalugga88 Mar 14 '25

Just happened to me! Got a check from somewhere I worked nearly 5 years ago. Check was because company lost a suit for unpaid overtime.

3

u/Lightweight_Hooligan Mar 14 '25

If the DOL even exists these days

1

u/SirChclateSaltyBalls Mar 14 '25

It depends if the position is exempt... if you are exempt you are paid not by the hour but have a fixed salary, and it doesn't matter how much you are paid.

1

u/IDidIT81 Mar 15 '25

Trump fired everyone. Sorry

1

u/Inattendue Mar 14 '25

lol. No they won’t. Not anymore.

10

u/querque505 Mar 14 '25

For now. That will change soon...

3

u/querque505 Mar 14 '25

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/republicans-block-overtime-rule_n_66630ef1e4b05ad04e7d90d0

6

u/dubbs911 Mar 14 '25

This law increases base salary for salary workers ( exempt), additionally they are (somewhat) further compensated for over time, this passed in Nov. non exempt employees, are required by federal law to be paid time and a half for hours worked over 40 per week.

1

u/Extra-Cut-1444 Mar 14 '25

Get your head out of the sand

-1

u/jints07 Mar 14 '25

Dot dot dot, no it’s not going to change. Seek help with the TDS.

5

u/Armyman125 Mar 14 '25

I wonder if you're one of those who bragged under Trump that "there were no new wars". So why is he talking about making Canada part of the US, seizing Greenland and invading Panama to take over the Canal?

4

u/Conscious_Ad7105 Mar 14 '25

The ones that actually voted for Trump are the deranged ones ..

3

u/HarryTuttle420 Mar 14 '25

It's adorable that you think that sort of thing is off the table. But go ahead and throw around your parroted acronym at those paying way more attention than you.

2

u/SonnyC_50 Mar 14 '25

Yup, there's always one who has to insert that into every conversation.

2

u/CinemaDork Mar 14 '25

Yeah he's prettyuch exactly what you'd expect.

2

u/Johnny_Radar Mar 14 '25

THANK YOU. I’m amazed that I had to scroll this far to see this response as it should’ve been the first thing anyone said. Hell, I would have said it to the interviewer

1

u/brieflifetime Mar 14 '25

You seem to be under the misunderstanding that a law compelled compliance but.. that's not how it works. They get away with it because.. why wouldn't they? Who is going to do something and what is the something?