For three months, I worked part-time with a dog walking and sitting agency, hoping to earn some income while settling into a new city. My boss had always mentioned taking a small cut from each service, but she never specified the exact amount. Naturally, I assumed it was somewhere between 15% and 40%, which seemed reasonable for managing bookings, marketing, and operations.
But a recent booking changed everything. After finishing a week-long dog sit, I was contacted by that client for four more nights next month. When the client shared their payment amount, I quickly did the math and realized something was off. My boss was actually taking a staggering 60% cut of the earnings. Sixty percent.
I felt blindsided. While I understood a business owner needed a share, this was far beyond what I had expected or had seen in the industry. I couldn’t justify continuing to work under such conditions. So, I decided to be upfront. I messaged my boss, calmly explaining what I had figured out and how disappointed I was. I also informed her that I had to withdraw from this position and any future bookings.
Her reply shocked me. She called me selfish and rude, said she didn’t need someone like me, and insisted she only took 30%. None of it was true, and she was visibly upset just because I dared to question the pay. She even criticized me for asking about the breakdown of earnings, which she considered inappropriate.
To clarify, my role was under self-employment, so expenses like travel or supplies weren’t covered by her—only possibly the website and domain for the business. I had taken the job because I had just moved to a new city and saw this as a good way to get to know the area and earn some money.
Now as I look back, I’m grateful I trusted my instincts rather than sticking it out. I earned £840 over those months, while she pocketed £1260 from my work for a total revenue of £2100. That kind of split didn’t feel fair or transparent.
I’m sharing this because I wonder what other people think—was I wrong to quit when I found out the truth? Or is it reasonable to stand up for fair pay in a job? For me, being treated with honesty and respect in a workplace is non-negotiable. If being open about money leads to hostility, that’s a sign to walk away.
