Work #7 "Please do this little thing for me."

Work #7 "Please do this little thing for me." "Oh, bless your heart!" — that’s supposed to be your thank-you? Aha. And then you can kiss my ass.

This is exactly how you should react when your employer asks you to do some “small commissions” for them. Why? Because these little tasks tend to multiply. One favor leads to another, and another — and that’s how you end up working for free.

This happens because you are being used. Employers or clients who behave like this, who constantly come up with requests that are not part of your job description, are doing it to exploit you. They are not rewarding initiative. They are taking advantage of your silence and compliance.

And don’t fall for that classic line: “Of course, we pay for the extra services.” That’s pure manipulation. If they truly wanted to pay you, you would be rewarded properly — based on your own expectations or at least based on the value you bring. But you're not. Instead, they feed you vague promises or symbolic appreciation.

If your employer really had the intention to pay fairly for those extra services, they would:

1. Hire someone competent whose job description includes those tasks.

2. Adjust your job description to reflect the new responsibilities.

3. Increase your salary accordingly.

Isn’t that the more ethical and professional way to do things?

So, avoid doing anything outside of your job description without clear payment or without a formal contract. If the terms are vague, you’re setting yourself up to be underpaid — or not paid at all.

If you’re new to a job and you're already being asked to run small errands or do personal favors, ask questions. How many employees came before you? If the answer is “too many,” that’s a red flag. In high-turnover jobs, there's almost always a pattern — either the work is underpaid, the environment is toxic, or the employer is abusive.

Ask around. Find people who used to work there. Some of them will be more than willing to “spit everything out,” if you ask right. It’s worth the effort — because those who came before you can help reveal what’s under the rug.

If the job changes hands often, it’s almost always due to the employer’s behavior or the unfair compensation system — or both.

And remember: everyone has a different tolerance threshold. Some employees hold on longer because they don’t feel financially safe to quit. They might be planning an expensive surgery, a move, or a long-dreamed-of extravagant trip. That’s why they stay — not because the job is good, but because their timing to leave isn’t right yet.

Now let’s get real about another point: if you’re a submissive person, someone who accepts everything the employer throws at you, you will most likely never be respected, never be paid what you deserve, and never be promoted.

Why? Because promotion isn’t just about hard work. Employers look for initiative, leadership, and self-respect. But what are you offering instead? Convenience.

You are making their life easier by accepting less — and that’s exactly why they’ll want to keep you in the same spot. They don’t want to lose a worker who gives them so much for so little.

So unless you stand up for yourself, you will remain underpaid and overused, without recognition or advancement.