Why ‘Going the Extra Mile’ Is a Scam — And How to Walk Exactly 1 KM

A spicy take on overworking, people-pleasing, and boundary-setting in a performative workplace.

Recently,

our company sent out one of those “Let’s See How Burnt Out Everyone Is” surveys. You know the ones—glossy HR language, vague “engagement” questions, and the unspoken hope that your trauma will show up in Excel.

But one question stood out:

“Would you go above and beyond to help this organisation succeed?”

…Excuse me?

Why are you asking me if I’m willing to go above and beyond when I’m not even sure if I’ll get a raise this year?

Apparently, if you say no, your manager gets a black mark.

Which, of course, pressures everyone to answer yes.

And suddenly, “Would you sacrifice your wellbeing for this job?” becomes a loyalty metric.

And all I could think was:

Why is “above and beyond” the baseline expectation?

The Loyalty Lie

There’s this lingering myth from our parents’ generation that loyalty is rewarded:

• Stay long enough and you’ll get promoted.

• Work hard and someone will notice.

• Go the extra mile and eventually, it’ll pay off.

That dream? Dead. Buried. Ghosted by capitalism.

According to this article by Steering Point, workplace loyalty is officially in its flop era:

• The average tenure is down to 2.8 years.

• Workers who job-hop every 2–3 years earn more long-term than those who stay.

• Companies are quick to cut headcount but still expect unlimited dedication.

TLDR: Loyalty actually hurts your career trajectory.

So tell me again… why am I the villain for doing exactly what I’m paid to do?

Introducing the “Exactly 1 KM” Framework™

Let me propose something revolutionary:

Don’t go the extra mile.

Walk exactly 1 KM.

✨ Clock in.

✨ Do your job.

✨ Clock out.

No hustle cult.

No emotional attachment to a company that would replace you in two weeks if you disappeared.

Yes, you can enjoy your job.

Yes, you can take pride in your work.

But it should not consume your life.

Reminder: The Company Still Runs When You Quit

When you leave, the emails still get sent.

The work still gets done.

The team still has Friday drinks—maybe with a new hire who gets paid more for the same job.

But your family, your relationships, your mental health?

You’re irreplaceable there.

So don’t waste your best energy going “above and beyond” for a job that sees you as a resource.

Go above and beyond for the people who would notice if you were gone.

Your “Leave Work at 5 Without Guilt” Checklist

✅ I did what I was paid to do.

✅ I communicated clearly.

✅ I met my deadlines.

✅ I supported my team (within reason).

✅ I’m not a machine. I’m a person with a life.

And if someone asks why you didn’t stay late?

“Because I finished my work. And because I don’t believe in unpaid emotional labour.”

The Final Cookie Crumb: Save the Extra Mile for People Who Deserve It

Workplaces love to romanticise the “extra mile.”

But here’s what they don’t tell you:

There is rarely a reward at the end of it.

But burnout? Stress? Resentment?

Those are practically guaranteed.

So walk your 1 KM.

Go home.

Water your plants.

Call your mum.

Watch reality TV in peace.

And if anyone questions your commitment, remind them:

“I’m committed to doing my job.

Not losing myself in it.”