I recognised this from day 1. I worked for a new business once, and they whinged because "everyone else stays past 5:30 but you always leave on time". I just r

I recognised this from day 1. I worked for a new business once, and they whinged because "everyone else stays past 5:30 but you always leave on time". I just replied "it's not my business". They never said anything again. However, that established clear boundaries. Once - and only once - I went in on a weekend for some out of hours work (a database migration or something), and in the following pay review they gave me a large raise specficially citing that I worked when they needed me. If I'd always provided free labour I doubt I'd have got the same raise. The funny thing was, they asked me once what they could do to improve things and I suggested flexitime. They said they'd get back to me. A few days later they came back and said, "we're going to be honest. Everyone else out there stays past 5:30 for nothing. We're not legally allowed to only give you flexitime, so we won't give it to anyone since they already work for free". Fair enough. My colleagues trying to earn brownie points screwed us all over by providing free work. Boundaries are important. Don't let bosses treat you like a mug.