If people on the team have to work overtime regularly but the boss doesn't give OT pay or compensation, should we stand our ground or just keep doing it? I'm honestly so confused.

I'm 23, office worker at a small company near Pattaya. Main job is paperwork and coordinating with clients. Usually it's steady, but lately it's blown up like crazy — I'm exhausted.

It started when a new boss came in, maybe around 35–40 years old. He likes to give sudden urgent tasks in the evening, like two hours before leaving, or tells us to go home and finish the work at home. Sounds easy but it never ends. The office is quiet but our phones keep ringing. I once finished at 1 a.m. and didn't sleep until almost 2. Woke up early to get to work at 7 a.m. Ugh, I can't do this.

Some coworkers who just started too, around my age, complain but still do it because they're afraid of being seen as not proactive. Some say “okay” even though they look totally wiped out. I’m scared the work will get messed up, scared the boss will be annoyed, scared of being judged. Maybe I'm overthinking? My pen even broke from taking notes late at night, sob.

Once I casually asked about compensation and the boss said, “Don’t worry, we'll move your days off.” But it's been almost a month with no change. In the latest meeting he even pushed everyone to work faster. So I'm like, what does “move days off” even mean? No details, and when I ask again I get the same vague answer. Feels so floaty.

I don't want to live by the rule “suck it up for now,” but I'm also scared if I speak up I'll be seen as not dedicated or lazy. The tasks are small but they pile up and affect my personal life. Going to a cafe to work is boring; at home I just watch the clock instead of resting. T_T

Typing on my phone, sorry if I missed something. I really want advice on what to do. Should I go confront-heavy, or set boundaries without causing conflict? I'm scared but want clarity.

If anyone has experience or can suggest phrases to talk to the boss, please share. I'm so confused about my own feelings. PS I was thinking of saying something soft like, “Hey, could you please give work notice in advance? And if we have to work overtime, could we discuss compensation?” Is that okay? Is it non-confrontational enough? I want to try but I'm also scared lol